Manchester Velodrome Officially Re-Opened

 

July 30, 2007; National Cycling Centre, Manchester

 

 

The National Cycling Centre in Manchester, the most used indoor track in the world, was officially re-opened today, July 30 with a ceremony attended by the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Glynn Evans (pictured cutting the ribbon to mark the opening of the new track); Chairman of the Velodrome Trust, Peter Thomas MBE; Chief Executive of British Cycling Peter King; and Regional Sports Board Member of Sport England, Carole Hassan.

 

The track where Olympic Gold medallist Chris Boardman broke the world-hour record, and which has also hosted two World Track Championships (1996/2000),  several UCI World Track Cups and the 2002 Commonwealth Games, was ripped up in June and replaced with brand new boards. This was done to ensure the track continues to host such high calibre international events as well as delivering community programmes.

 

Right: Mr. Peter Thomas MBE, a fan of Chris Hoy and was pleased to shake the Olympic champion's hand.

 

Chairman of The Velodrome Trust, Mr. Peter Thomas MBE, said: "The completion of the track refurbishment will ensure that Manchester Velodrome will continue to be the premier facility of its kind in the world. The investment represents a significant vote of confidence in the Velodrome and will enable it to continue to meet the needs of the highly successful British team, and the many other cyclists of all levels of ability who regularly use the facilities".

 

One of the World’s very best cyclists from the British team, double World Champion in 2007, Olympic champion from Athens 2004 and now a World Record holder (500 metres), Chris Hoy, was on hand to lend his support to the opening of the track.

 

Talking about the days before Manchester opened in the early 90’s, Chris explained “Manchester was the first British indoor Olympic standard facility and that was a massive step forward for British cycling because until that point you would train from April to October and then find the outdoor tracks were shut until the following April. So you would make steps forward in training and then have to start again from scratch”.

 

“At that time there was no way we could compete with the rest of the World as there was no funding in place for us to travel around the World to train so we were stuck with having to train in the wet on the road. In 1994, when this place opened, I was in my last year as a Junior and it gave me the chance to make a go of cycling. Without doubt, if it wasn’t for this place, I wouldn’t be Olympic Champion, Jason (Queally) would not have been Olympic Champion and there are a number of other people who would not have had the success they have now.”

 

“Manchester is also a great competition venue and famous for the atmosphere the crowd here generate. The people who come here tend to be quite knowledgeable about it and appreciate good racing when they see it and to have a home venue for World Cups and World Championships is a huge advantage. So not only is it  a great place to train but also a great place to race”.

 

More: Read more about Chris Hoy post record attempt >>>

 

The old boards are ripped off ready for the new ones to be put in place.

 

British Cycling’s Home
The Manchester Velodrome is home to British Cycling, the internationally recognised governing body of cycle sport in the UK. Now it has re-opened, the new track is available for bookings from schools, clubs and community groups, as well being used by the Great Britain Cycling Team in the lead up to the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

 

The track resurfacing has been funded through a partnership between Manchester City Council, Sport England and British Cycling, who appointed ISG Totty as lead contractor. J Von Lutckens, a German company, specialising in velodrome track building and replacement, carried out the work.

 

This project is part of an exciting time for cycling in Manchester with other developments including a BMX race track in Platt Fields Park, and the hosting of the Track World Championships in March 2008.

Executive member for culture and leisure at Manchester City Council, Cllr Mike Kane, said: "The resurfacing of the track is the first in a series of high profile initiatives to promote cycling in the City.

 

The swift and successful completion of the project is thanks to a strong partnership between the funding bodies, contractors and Manchester Velodrome staff, and shows Manchester's ongoing commitment to cycling development for the communities of Manchester."

 

 

British Cycling Chief Executive Peter King (pictured above left of picture), said: "The new track is obviously a big boost to the GB Team which will be training and racing on it during the vital run-in to the 2008 World Championships and Beijing Olympics. The new surface ensures that the venue will maintain its reputation as one of the very best facilities in the world, popular with riders and fans alike".

 

The first major event for the new track is the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in March 2008, when the British team will be looking to increase their medal haul on home soil, and break world records on the improved surface.

 

Stewart Kellett, Regional Director of Sport England, said: "Sport England is delighted to fund the resurfacing; it is wonderful that so many elite and amateur cyclists have been able to enjoy the Velodrome.

 

"Sport England surveys show that cycling is one of the region's favourite sports and with only five years to go until the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, I am sure that the Velodrome, its community facilities and the presence of GB's elite cyclists will continue to inspire the next generation of champions."

 

 

Useful Links
www.Manchestervelodrome.com
www.worldtrackcycling.com