Dutch riders Shane Blaspeninckx, Laurine Van Riessen, and Jeffrey Hoogland will not be competing in London after Blaspeninckx and Van Riessen tested positive for COVID-19 following their final training session on Wednesday. He will not compete in the final two rounds of the Truck Champions League Truck Series; according to L'Equipe, Hoogland has been quarantined from going to England because he was deemed too close to contact.

Blas Penninckx won the women's keirin at the Tokyo Olympics and was sixth in the women's sprint. Hoogland, the current keirin and team sprint world champion, was third in the men's sprint before the final round in London on Friday and Saturday.

Health restrictions introduced in Israel due to the emergence and spread of a new coronavirus called Omicron have resulted in the cancellation of the fifth and final round on December 11.

Two rounds of the Track Champions League have already been held in Majorca, Spain, on November 6 and in Panevezis, Lithuania, on November 27. However, the event scheduled for November 20 in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, near Paris, was canceled because the velodrome is being used as a COVID-19 vaccination center, which is vital for the region.

Although the tournament was cancelled, the organizers announced that points, final standings, and the total prize money of 500,000 euros would not be affected.

Germany's Emma Hintze and Britain's Katie Archibald lead the overall standings in the women's sprint and endurance categories, respectively, after the first two rounds. After the second round in Lithuania last weekend, Sebastian Mora (Spain) moved into the lead in the men's endurance overall standings, while Harry Lavraisen (Netherlands) extended his lead in the men's sprint.

The London Games will be held at Lee Valley Velopark, which hosted the 2012 Olympics. Despite the high number of people infected with COVID-19 in the UK, both days are sold out. New rules require spectators to wear face coverings at all times except while seated and while eating or drinking.

Double Olympic gold medalist Katie Archibald will join three other British riders in London as Ed Clancy returns to the Olympic velodrome with World Championship bronze medalists Rhys Britton and Sophie Capewell

"There is something special about this track. It's been a long time ago, but I have a lot of great memories from London 2012. I love this place and always look forward to coming," Clancy said.

"I'm going to give it my best this weekend, but I'm not in great shape right now. But it's going to be hard to get the crowd excited! Luckily we have Katie, and young Reese and Sophie.

Friday's track Champions League begins at 20:00 Central European Time and will be broadcast via Eurosport, GCN+, and many international broadcasters.

Cycling News will have reports and photo galleries for both nights.