With the start of the 2024 season, the Union Européenne de Cyclisme has finalised the six-day cycling event, the 2024 UEC Track Juniors/U23 European Championships, to be held at the Lausitz Velodrome in Cottbus, Germany, from 9-14 July. A total of 425 athletes from 29 countries have registered for the continental event, which will award a total of 44 titles.

Enrico Della Casa, President of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme, said, "The Championships, to be held at the historic Cottbus velodrome, which has previously hosted European Championships, represent a particularly important moment for the European cycling movement. This is because it is an international event reserved for the youth categories".

Della Casa, said, "The passionate and knowledgeable German public will have the opportunity to witness high-level technical races. We must not forget that the European Track Championships for juniors and under-23s have always been the starting point for many athletes who have gone on to win world and Olympic titles throughout their careers."

The President stressed the need for "investment in young talent in order to have great champions in the future, but above all it is a demonstration of how sport can be promoted through a sporting event of this magnitude, especially among the youngest."

In 2023, Italy topped the medals table in a head-to-head competition with Germany and Great Britain. At the Junior and U23 European Athletics Championships, Italy won a total of 22 medals: 14 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze, ahead of Great Britain (9, 8 and 6) and Germany (9, 2 and 8).

The velodrome in Cottbus is once again hosting a top-level event. Just a month ago, it hosted five days of competition in the elite, junior and cadet categories for the national title. The velodrome is often the training ground for young German track cyclists, who will be favourites for medals tomorrow.

Germany is a powerhouse in track cycling. At major events, many of its riders have demonstrated their high level. Last January, the elite European Championships were held in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. This is one of the last opportunities to secure a place at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which will take place from 5 to 11 August. Cyclists such as Emma Hinze, who won all four 'short' events last year, and Maximilian Dörnbach, Timo Bichler and Marc Jurczyk, who are always striving to be among the best, shone once again.

Also worthy of mention are Olympic champions Franziska Brauße and Mieke Kröger, as well as the members of the always competitive rad-net Osswald team with all their potential, including current European madison champions Roger Kluge and Theo Reinhardt.

The Junior and Under-23 European Championships always reveal new talent. Not only the hosting Germany, but also Great Britain's track tradition makes it a strong contender. Many of the riders competing for titles in Paris 2024 will use this event at the Cottbus velodrome as a test to be ready for 5 August.