Copenhagen World Track Champs this week

does anyone take the WC rounds that seriously? some don't even bother going to rounds that involve a lot of traveling or clash with road racing or periods of less intensive training.

You don't have to attend every one. You just need to do what's needed to qualify.
If you can qualify without travelling around the world, so be it.
It might actually be more beneficial to do the travel as you will have to do the same when you compete at the Champs and Olympics (well, we will).