In a stunning announcement from the UCI regarding the 2012 London Olympic Games Track racing programme today the news was revealed that there are major shakeups in store for the events we have known as the backbone of the Velodrome.  The changes are designed to bring parity to the men's and women's programmes, with five events for each at the 2012 Games in London.

Whilst the news is exciting for the interest in track cycling it is perhaps disappoint from a NZ point of view where we hold the World Champion in Ali Shanks.  It is believed that the individual pursuit, point's race and Madison would all be removed from the Olympic programme under the UCI's proposals.  Instead, the programme would comprise men's and women's individual sprints, a team sprint, a keirin, a team pursuit and an omnium. Racers may compete in the following events as part of the omnium: flying 200m, point's race, scratch race and individual pursuit

"I can confirm that I was mandated yesterday by the UCI to work out how we are going to achieve parity within track cycling for the 2012 Olympics, and it's a matter we're looking at with some urgency," said McQuaid. "The IOC wants to make an announcement about the programme for London by December 12."