The 2026 Track World Championships are set to ignite the Shanghai Velodrome from October 14 to 18, featuring Olympic and defending world champions vying for 22 titles. This event marks the first qualifying opportunity for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, adding extra stakes for the competing athletes.

Riders will compete across various disciplines, aiming for the prestigious rainbow jerseys. Events will be categorized into endurance and sprint categories, showcasing a diverse range of cycling talent.

In the previous championships, Great Britain finished a commendable second, while the Netherlands dominated with nine gold medals. Star rider Harrie Lavreysen excelled for the Dutch team, claiming an impressive four golds in the Keirin, Sprint, 1km Time Trial, and Team Sprint.

However, Great Britain will face challenges as they prepare without two key athletes: reigning Madison world champion Katie Archibald, who retired to pursue a nursing career, and Olympic team sprint champion Katy Marchant, who also announced her retirement last month.

Despite these setbacks, the British team remains formidable, featuring eight riders who have previously won world titles and a total of eight Olympic medallists, poised to make a strong showing in Shanghai.