# Yamasaki and Sato opt for Japanese races over UCI Track Champions League

*By Simon | November 7, 2024*

![Yamasaki and Sato opt for Japanese races over UCI Track Champions League](https://globalkeirin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/SW6_0527.jpg)

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![](https://globalkeirin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/SW6_0527-jpg.webp)

## 󠀁[Yamasaki and Sato opt for Japanese races over UCI Track Champions League](https://globalkeirin.com/2024/11/yamasaki-and-sato-opt-for-japanese-races-over-uci-track-champions-league/)󠁿

7 November 2024

UCI world champions **Kento Yamasaki** and **Mina Sato** have both turned down
the opportunity to compete in the UCI’s
[Track Champions League](https://www.ucitrackchampionsleague.com).

Information posted on websites tracking the Japanese keirin circuit suggested
that both had committed to major events in their home country during November
and December, building to the lucrative year-end Grand Prix races.

The TCL’s sprint lineup has now been
[published](https://www.ucitrackchampionsleague.com/news/stellar-sprint-roster-packed-with-talent-completes-2024-uci-track-champions-league-line-up)
, confirming that Yamasaki and Sato will be absent from an otherwise
extra-strong field. It will include **Ellesse Andrews** and **Harrie Lavreysen**
, both of whom followed up victory in last year’s Track Champions League with
gold medals in both sprint and keirin at the Olympics.

![455659016_1635138590616266_7736158738311133892_n](https://globalkeirin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/455659016_1635138590616266_7736158738311133892_n.jpg)

_Seven-figure success for Sato earlier this year – roughly US$ 20,000 (Instagram)_

The world champions’ decision once again casts a harsh light on the economics of
track cycling: with prizes in Japan worth tens or hundreds of thousands of
dollars, compared to relatively modest prize pots for UCI competition – just
€1000 (US$ 1075) for an individual race win at Track Champions League, and an
average total TCL earnings of €7000 (US$ 7500) per participant per season – it’s
little wonder that the Japanese stars would turn down the UCI’s invitation in
favour of staying at home.

The series will see the first competitive appearances by **Matthew Richardson**
in Great Britain colours, following his shock switch of allegiance to the land
of his birth.

![461056392_1052804886285197_8501824963850984949_n](https://globalkeirin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/461056392_1052804886285197_8501824963850984949_n.jpg)

_A first ride for Richo in GB colours (Instagram)_

A rekindling of his rivalry with Lavreysen will undoubtedly be a highlight of
the competition: UCI rules meant Richo had to miss the Ballerup world
championships.

Also looking forward to the noisy finale at London’s Lee Valley, in front of a
sellout home crowd, will be Ballerup finalist **Harry Ledingham-Horn**, and the
team sprint trio of **Emma Finucane**, **Sophie Capewell** and **Katy Marchant**
.

![lineup](https://globalkeirin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/lineup.jpg)

In fact, Yamasaki is the only one of the six men from Ballerup’s keirin final
not to participate. As well as Ledingham-Horn, Messrs **Yakovlev**, **Quintero**
, **Rudyk** and **Hoogland** are all signed up for the five-round series which
starts on November 23.

Malaysian fans will be especially excited to see **Shah Firdaus Sahrom** on the
start list, as they get used to life after Azizulhasni Awang.

On the women’s side, the Netherlands will be represented by Olympic keirin
finalists **Hetty van de Wouw** and **Steffie van der Peet**.
**Alessa-Catriona Pröpster** will be Germany’s sole participant, with both Emma
Hinze and Lea Sophie Friedrich opting out. 2022’s overall winner
**Mathilde Gros** is back after missing 2023. **Martha Bayona**,
**Daniela Gaxiola** and **Miriam Vece** also return for 2024.

![UCI Track Champions League, Grand Finale: London](https://globalkeirin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/AW9_8873.jpg)

_2023’s Track Champions League winners (Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)_

The competition this year takes place across three weekends, with one evening in
Paris followed by double-headers in Apeldoorn and London.

Sprinters compete in match sprint and keirin races each evening, with prize
money and UCI points on offer in every race, and for overall finishing position.
Riders wear skinsuits in the colours of their nations, but compete as
individuals.

The
[endurance lineup](https://www.ucitrackchampionsleague.com/news/star-studded-endurance-roster-unveiled-for-2024-uci-track-champions-league)
was published earlier this week: last year’s series winners Katie Archibald and
Dylan Bibic return for 2024, as do last year’s runners-up Anita Stenberg and
Will Tidball.

But Japan’s third world champion of 2024, scratch winner Kazushige Kuboki also
opts to give the Champions League a miss.

UCI Track Champions League is a partnership between the events division of
Warner Bros Discovery Sports and the UCI. It will be
[broadcast](https://www.ucitrackchampionsleague.com/watch-the-races) live via
platforms including Max, Discovery+ and Eurosport, and other national networks
including Japan’s keirin specialist SPEED Channel.

**Categories:** Original
**Tags:** japan, ucitcl