The heat is on in the UCI Track Champions League and BLAST Premier: Fall Finals!

UCI Track Champions League

“Bicycle races are coming our way, so look out for Saint-Quentin, oh yeah!” We’re set for yet more two-wheeled thrills this weekend as the crème de la crème of the cycling world gear up to square off in round 3 of the UCI Track Champions League in Saint-Quentin, France. With so many epic battles on the horizon, you can bet your bottom dollar that we’re in for a thrilling spectacle that’ll have us all on the edge of our seats!

If the weekend’s events in Berlin are anything to go by, then we can expect a real clash of the titans in the women’s competition here as Katie Archibald seeks to build on the winning momentum she gained in the German capital. The Scot edged out Jennifer Valente in both the Endurance and Scratch races in Berlin to claim a stunning double win that takes her total points tally in this competition to 60.

However, it’s still Valente who holds the hallowed blue jersey as things stand after she finished second in both the endurance and scratch races last weekend. Even so, she’ll be itching to get back to winning ways on French soil this weekend, given that Archibald has cut her lead at the top of the standings to just 6 points.

The tension will also be on a knife edge in the mens’ competition as Matthew Richardson and Harrie Lavreysen go toe-to-toe once again. It was a case of déjà vu in the sprint final in Berlin, as these two fierce rivals squared off for the second week running with Richardson emerging victorious once again in the final.

However, Lavreysen got his revenge in the Keirin as he bounced back to claim victory in this discipline for the second time in as many weeks. This leaves the Dutchman on 74 points heading into this weekend’s races, just 2 points clear of his fiercest rival, with both riders eager to steal a march on one another.

Meanwhile in the Men’s Endurance it was Britain’s Oliver Wood and Canada’s Dylan Bibic who came out on top in the Scratch and Elimination races respectively, with Mathias Guillemette taking the overall lead. Britain’s Mark Stewart came crashing down from cloud 9 in Berlin last weekend depsite riding to victory in Palma in the first round and he’ll be hoping to bounce back here as he seeks to snatch back the overall lead.

No matter who gains the upper hand ahead of next weekend’s grand finale in London, one thing’s for certain, these races will be full of excitement!

BLAST Premier: Fall Finals 2022

All eyes will be on Copenhagen this weekend as some of CS:GO’s best teams limber up for their last shot to secure a spot at next month’s BLAST Premier World Final, provided they haven’t already qualified, that is (as is the case for FaZe Clan and NAVI.) What’s more, with a $425,000 prize pool that includes a $200,000 grand prize up for grabs, CS:GO’s big names will be eager to bring home the bacon here in Denmark.

Although they’ve already booked a ticket in the final, FaZe Clan will be eager to get back to winning ways in Group A after they were unceremoniously dumped out of the IEM Major Rio 2022 at the Legends stage, placing dead last with 0 wins and 3 losses. 

However, they’ll face a stern test in their opening match here in the shape of OG Esports, who’ll be in no mood to take any prisoners as they could qualify for the World Final by virtue of their place in their BLAST Premier standings if they fail to win this competition outright. What’s more, OG won the last meeting between these sides 2-0 and could very well fancy their chance of picking up another win here.

It’s a similar story elsewhere in the group as Ninja In Pyjamas will also be looking to put a distinctly underwhelming showing in Rio behind them as they take on Heroic in their opening game. Just like FaZe Clan, NiP also crashed out at the Legends Stage in Brazil without picking up a single win, whereas their opponents defied all the odds to reach the final and will no doubt have the wind in their sails here.

Meanwhile in Group B, perhaps the biggest question is whether G2 Esports can bounce back with a vengeance. Despite a strong showing at ESL Pro League, G2 failed to book a ticket to Rio for the RMR Major which prompted them to part company with their coach, Remy “XTQZZ” Quoniam. As a result, Jan Muller has taken the reins on an interim basis and a solid showing here could be exactly what Swani needs to secure the job permanently. However, he’ll have his work cut out for him against the likes of NAVI and Team Liquid, neither of whom will be in the mood to do their opponents any favours.

Whatever happens, we’re in for a tidal wave of fun over the next few days.