Olympic gold medalists Kelsey Mitchell (Canada) and Harry Lavraisen (Netherlands) are two of the 12 riders selected to compete in the UCI Track Champions League.

The five-round series begins on November 6 in Majorca, with the second round in Lithuania on November 27, two rounds in London on December 3 and 4, and the final round in Israel on December 11.

Organizers have announced the six men and six women who will compete in the sprint events, with Mitchell leading the women. She will be joined by 2020 world champion Emma Hintze (Germany), Olympic silver medalist Olena Starikova (Ukraine), Mathilde Gros (France), Simona Krupekaite (Lithuania), and Olympic Keirin champion Shanne Blaspeninx (Netherlands). She will be competing against.

"I am very excited to have qualified for the UCI Track Champions League and can't wait to experience the thrill of racing against the best in the world week after week," said Mitchell.

"This fast-paced, action-packed league will be a great experience for the riders as well as the fans

Lavriesen is joined by compatriots Jeffrey Hoogland, Nicholas Paul (Trinidad and Tobago), Vasilijus Rendel (Lithuania) Maximilian Levy (Germany), and Denis Dmitriev (Russia).

"We are delighted to have qualified for the UCI Track Champions League. I think the race format will allow me to connect with existing fans and hopefully introduce new people to the sport." Immediately following the World Championships, this will be my main focus.

An additional 12 pre-qualified riders will be announced for the sprint and endurance, as well as 48 participants for the league.