British Cycling, in partnership with UK Sport and Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, is delighted to confirm that London’s Lee Valley VeloPark will host a round of the 2018/19 TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup series between 14 and 16 December.
This will be the first time that the world’s premier track series has returned to London in four years, since the venue hosted the first round of the 2014/15 UCI Track Cycling World Cup series in December 2014.
Prior to that, the final round of the 2011/12 UCI Track Cycling World Cup series was the first ever competitive event to take place at Lee Valley VeloPark, which then went on to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 and the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in 2016 – all of which saw fantastic British success.
Six-time Olympic champion Jason Kenny, who has recently returned to competition, said: “The Velodrome at Lee Valley VeloPark is an historic venue and it’s amazing that we’re able to go back there again for the TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup.
Hey @LeeValleyVP,
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) February 12, 2018
We're coming back to London.
Join us https://t.co/U1fIq4IBd0#TissotUCITrackWC pic.twitter.com/hzSyAKYiPa
“Home world cups are always incredibly special for the riders, and I’m sure that I’m not the only one who can’t wait to get back on those boards and make even more memories in December.”
London will be the fourth round of this year’s series, with other events taking place in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (France), Milton (Canada), Berlin (Germany), Cambridge (New Zealand) and Hong Kong.
Jonny Clay, British Cycling’s director of cycling, said: “The last 18 months have seen us host fantastic TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup events in both Glasgow and Manchester, and we are thrilled to be able to confirm that the series will return to London in December.
“The Lee Valley VeloPark is iconic, and will hold great memories for British riders, coaches and supporters alike. Tokyo 2020 will be firmly in focus once this year’s TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup series begins, and we are delighted that British supporters will once again get the chance to watch the world’s best riders in such a special venue.”
Great Britain won eight gold medals during the 2012 UCI Track Cycling World Cup at Lee Valley VeloPark, before going on to dominate at the same venue during the Olympics and Paralympics later that year. Sir
Chris Hoy, Laura Kenny, Jason Kenny, Victoria Pendleton and Dame Sarah Storey were among those to thrill the home crowd as British riders won eight Olympic and eight Paralympic titles.
In the build-up to the Rio Olympics, Lee Valley VeloPark took centre stage once more as it hosted the 2016 UCI Track Cycling World Championships. Great Britain again topped the medal table on this occasion, with an omnium victory for Laura Kenny, dramatic sprint gold for Jason Kenny and a memorable Madison title for Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish among the stand-out moments.
Esther Britten, head of major events of UK Sport, said: “UK Sport is delighted to be working in partnership with British Cycling and Lee Valley Regional Park Authority to bring the TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup back to London. Hosting this event means British athletes can reap the rewards of having the support of the home crowd as part of their ongoing preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.”
Shaun Dawson, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority’s chief executive, said: “We’re thrilled that the TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup is coming to Lee Valley VeloPark for the second time since London 2012. Bringing top class sports events to our iconic Olympic legacy venues generates a range of economic, social and sporting benefits.
“We’re especially delighted to be hosting two top international sporting competitions this year, further cementing Lee Valley venues as highly regarded world class arenas for major events, as well as valued community assets with a comprehensive programme of activities for all ages and abilities.”
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