UCI Track Champions League 2021 - Emma Hinze ‘happy about prize money equality' in new track cycling series

ByBen Snowball

Updated 04/11/2021 at 11:51 GMT

"I like the equality between men and women, that there are the same number of riders and same prize money, UCI points. When we do the same performance, or as good as the men, we should get the same prize money," said Hinze ahead of the series opener in Mallorca on Saturday. Watch the UCI Track Champions League on discovery+

Emma Hinze says she is “really happy” about the equality between men and women at the UCI Track Champions League.

The new five-event series kicks off in Mallorca on Saturday and features two leagues for both men and women: a Sprint Championship and Endurance Championship.

The overall winner of each category will take home €25,000, with prize money awarded for each place in the main standings. Race winners will also receive €1,000, with financial incentives for places 1-10 in every race.

UCI Track Champions League

'You gain 10 watts in morale!' - Kenny and stars explain why London velodrome is so special

00:02:10

|

09/12/2022 at 06:56

Hinze will compete in the Sprint Championship, which is stripped down to track cycling’s two most exciting formats: the keirin and individual sprint.

The German is one of the favourites for overall glory after winning sprint gold at the recent World Championships in Roubaix, but will face stiff competition from the likes of Canada’s Kelsey Mitchell, compatriot Lea Friedrich and the Netherlands’ Shanne Braspennincx.

• UCI Track Champions League: What is it? Dates, schedule and more for cycling’s golden ticket event
• Women’s contenders – Stellar sprint cast, GB’s Archibald in endurance frame
• Men's contenders – Lavreysen the star of the show, Clancy flying GB flag

“It's really good that it's going to be on TV every weekend, and it's going to be the same rivals every weekend,” Hinze told Eurosport ahead of the launch.

“So you have to be good for six weeks. And I like the equality between men and women, that there are the same number of riders and same prize money, UCI points.

“When we do the same performance, or as good as the men, we should get the same prize money. I’m really happy about the equality at the Champions League.”

'Really exciting concept' - Get ready for the UCI Track Champions League Endurance events

Hinze also admitted that the coronavirus pandemic hit her hard and that she was enjoying the return to racing.

“It was really difficult not to race because I love racing,” she said.

“And I'm like the competition type of person. And so I was really sad that we couldn't race but it is how it is.

“It was the same for all the other athletes. So I just accepted it and tried to get better in training.”

After Mallorca, the UCI Track Champions League travels to Lithuanian city Panevezys before a double-header in London and the finale in Tel Aviv.

'It's just going to be full gas!' - 5 reasons to watch Track Champions League

- - -

The UCI Track Champions League is coming and you can watch all of the action live on the Eurosport app, eurosport.co.uk and discovery+. Find out more about the "mind-blowing" new era for track cycling, with the first event on November 6 in Mallorca.

UCI Track Champions League

The Track Champions League - the hottest ticket in town

00:02:11

|

08/12/2022 at 10:45

UCI Track Champions League

Kenny, Archibald and Rowsell share their London velodrome memories

00:07:20

|

08/12/2022 at 11:04

UCI Track Champions League

Messiest, latest, loudest… TCL roommates dish the dirt on each other

00:01:53

|

14/12/2022 at 14:15