Tomorrow at the Shanghai Velodrome, world cycling takes its first step towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. At 10:30 AM (4:30 AM Italian time), the men's and women's team pursuit quartets will take to the track for qualifying rounds. This will be followed by Team Sprint qualifications, which will award the first titles in the evening alongside the women's scratch race.

Italy arrives at these Worlds with two world titles to defend: the women's team pursuit and that of Elia Viviani (present in Shanghai as Team Manager), and with the return to the track of Filippo Ganna and Jonathan Milan. Also present in China are Francesco Lamon and Simone Consonni, members of the quartet that won gold in Tokyo and bronze in Paris two years ago. Alongside them are promising young talents such as Alessio Magagnotti, making his world championship debut and immediately fielded by Edoardo Salvoldi in the qualifications in place of Simone Consonni.

Among the women, Elisa Balsamo returns alongside Martina Alzini, Martina Fidanza and Vittoria Guazzini to attempt to confirm the title from Santiago de Chile. Federica Venturelli is absent due to an injury that has kept her away from racing, including at the road world championships. The women will only compete in the team pursuit qualifications, while the men will return to the track for the first round.

Also making their absolute world championship debut in the men's Team Sprint, where CT Ivan Quaranta fields in the qualifications a very young Filippo Cusumano alongside the veterans, despite his youth, Matteo Bianchi and Mattia Predomo. Among the women, there's room for the trio of Rachele Barbieri, Matilde Cenci and Miriam Vece. The objective is to collect points to secure an Olympic qualification that would give proper value to the path begun six years ago.

At 7 PM (1 PM Italian time), it will be Martina Fidanza's turn in the scratch race. The rider from Ponte San Pietro will attempt to reclaim a title she has already won twice, in 2021 and 2022.

Wednesday, October 14 Schedule – Shanghai Times

Morning Session – from 10:30 AM to 4:17 PM (from 4:30 AM Italian time)
10:30 AM – Women's Team Pursuit, qualifications (Balsamo, Alzini, Fidanza, Guazzini)
Following – Men's Team Pursuit, qualifications (Lamon, Magagnotti, Milan, Ganna)
Following – Women's Team Sprint, qualifications (Barbieri, Cenci, Vece)
Following – Men's Team Sprint, qualifications (Cusumano, Bianchi, Predomo)

Evening Session
5:45 PM – Opening Ceremony
6:30 PM – Start of evening session
Following – Women's Team Sprint, first round
Following – Men's Team Sprint, first round
Following – Women's Scratch, final (Martina Fidanza)
Following – Men's Team Pursuit, first round
Following – Women's Team Sprint, finals
Following – Men's Team Sprint, finals
8:37 PM – Expected end of session

THE ITALIAN RIDERS
Men

Matteo Bianchi – Centro Sportivo Esercito
Simone Consonni – Lidl-Trek
Filippo Cusumano – Caravaggio Offroad
Fabio Del Medico – G.S. Fiamme Azzurre
Matteo Fiorin – Centro Sportivo Esercito
Niccolò Galli – Solme-Olmo-Arvedi
Filippo Ganna – Netcompany Ineos
Etienne Grimod – Solme-Olmo-Arvedi
Francesco Lamon – G.S. Fiamme Azzurre
Alessio Magagnotti – Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe Rookies
Jonathan Milan – Lidl-Trek
Stefano Antonio Minuta – G.S. Fiamme Oro
Mattia Predomo – Centro Sportivo Esercito
Davide Stella – UAE Team Emirates Gen Z

WOMEN

Martina Alzini – Centro Sportivo Esercito
Elisa Balsamo – Lidl-Trek Women Team
Rachele Barbieri – G.S. Fiamme Oro
Matilde Cenci – G.S. Fiamme Oro
Chiara Consonni – G.S. Fiamme Azzurre
Martina Fidanza – G.S. Fiamme Oro
Vittoria Guazzini – G.S. Fiamme Oro
Miriam Vece – G.S. Fiamme Oro