FIVE-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST LAURA KENNY PREVIEWS THE UCI TRACK CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

First of all, tell us about your new role.
I’m actually commentating this time around instead of racing mainly because we just didn't want to be rushed into competing again. After the Olympics, what with the extra year, we just felt like we just made so many sacrifices with (son) Alby that we just weren't ready to commit to full-time training. It was only eight weeks until the World Championships and then it's only been two weeks since that. But for us, it just seemed like so much longer and because of everything that had gone before with Alby we wanted to go on holiday with him. So, we decided not to race. I'm excited for this new with Eurosport, we'll see how it goes.

Is the Track Cycling Champions League good for cycling?
We need to track cycling back on the TV, we used to have the World Cups, the World Cups, World Championships, Europeans would be on the TV, and it's not anymore. You see us at the Olympics, and then it's like we disappear for four years. And obviously it's just not the case. I think this is so good, because it's so condensed and it means that you don't need to be a genius in track cycling to understand what's going on.

They’re short and sharp races, so the younger generation can stay engaged. It's not like you're watching a Madison, that's over 210 laps, obviously, that's a long period of time. The endurance race, the longest one we've got, is 20 laps and I do think it means that people can watch how thrilling track cycling is.

Do you mean cycling needs more short format, but also fan-friendly events as well?
Yes, I think it's got to be accessible to everyone. I think it needs to be so that everybody understands it and wants to come along. The more tickets that can be sold, the more people are going to put it on TV, ultimately. And so if people understand it, then they're going to want to come. For the younger children as well, having it over a shorter period of time, it means that you're not spending hours and hours at a velodrome. Three hours is a good time to come out, watch it and then go back. It'd be like going to a football game. So yes, I think short, sharp events are better.

What about the importance of the League’s gender equality and equal prize money?
Of course it is. I mean, obviously, what Lizzie Deignan’s team did for her and matching the pay throughout the whole season for the women shows that one is not right, clearly, because her team shouldn't have to do that. But there are teams that stepping up and realising that we deserve just the same.

It's brilliant that track cycling has been gender equal for quite a long time now - the UCI pays the same prize money and we get the same races with the same rules.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing compete here in Mallorca?
I’m looking forward to seeing is Ed (Clancy). I always thought, after London, it was such a shame that he stepped away from the Omnium. I just thought he was incredible. He was always a dark horse, because he was so good at the timed events. I can understand why he would give it up for Tokyo because the time limits were out of it and he doesn't really enjoy the race style.

So I'm really interested to see how we gets on here because they suit him as the races are so short, he's made for a 20-lap race.

Watch the UCI Track Cycling Champions League LIVE from Mallorca, Spain on discovery+ (selected markets), Eurosport and GCN+ from 18:45 CET on Saturday 6 November.