UK national cycling centre gets £270k award for new track

Manchester Velodrome on track for world-beating future

The track at Manchester’s Velodrome track has worn out - 7 years ahead of schedule. The national centre for cycling has been so well used by elite cyclists and amateur enthusiasts alike that it needs to be replaced.

The British Cycling Federation and elite cyclists require the new track to be laid as soon as possible so that training programmes for the Beijing Olympics in 2008 are not disrupted and so that cyclists from across the country can enjoy the velodrome.

Sport England has awarded Manchester City Council £270k of National Lottery funding towards the cost of the new track so that, with support from Manchester City Council and the British Cycling Federation, work can commence as soon as possible. New plans for the national centre for cycling also include new accommodation facilities for athletes and a new indoor BMX centre. BMX is a new sport for the London 2012 Olympics.

Sport England, BCF and Manchester City Council were joined by elite cyclist Matthew Crampton (20), who is part of the GB Olympic programme, and Jonathan Norfolk (31), trainer and pilot with the GB Paralympic cycling team – both are based at the Velodrome fulltime. Both athletes are looking to take part in the Olympic Games. Matthew is a sprint cyclist, and Jonathan will be cycling as pilot with paralympic athlete Anthony Kappes who is hoping to win medals in Beijing.

Stewart Kellett, Regional Director, Sport England: ‘It is wonderful that so many elite and amateur cyclists have been able to enjoy the Velodrome and it’s now essential that a new track is laid. The new track is the first phase of a strategic vision for the centre which will see new athlete accommodation and a national BMX centre, which will be funded different partner organisations. It’s fantastic news for sport in the North West and for cycling nationally.’

Peter King, British Cycling Chief Executive, said, ‘The £270,000 award for essential refurbishment is great news for a whole host of reasons; it supports track cycling at a regional, grass-roots level, allows Manchester to retain its place as a world-class competition venue, and vitally underpins the GB Team's preparations for Beijing in 2008 and beyond this, London in 2012.’


Today 12 organisations including the British Cycling Federation and Manchester City Council are gathered at the Velodrome to discuss a new vision for the Velodrome. They will work in partnership over the coming months to devise a funding package and delivery plan for the redevelopment of the highly successful national centre for cycling.

Councillor Mark Hackett, Manchester City Council's executive member for Culture and Leisure, said: ‘This is marvellous news which ensures that the Velodrome, the home of British cycling, remains an absolutely top class facility. It's fitting that the Velodrome, one of the outstanding legacies of our successful Commonwealth Games, will be playing such a crucial role in our leading cyclists' Olympic preparations. It will also be part of Manchester's continuing support of preparations for the preparations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games'.’

Peter Thomas, Chair of the Velodrome Trust: ‘We are delighted that the Velodrome retains its strategic place in the world of cycling. Not only is the Velodrome the centre for elite cyclists buy it plays a significant part in supporting clubs and is a well used community facility for local cyclists’

The new track will be made with Siberian larch wood which is to be specially imported from Siberia. The surface will be professionally engineered to Olympic standards, enabling elite cyclists to train and compete in ideal conditions ahead of 2008 and 2012.

Ends

Notes to Editors

For more information please contact Sport England press office on:
Alex Russell – 0207 2731866
Sarah-Jane Gray (North West) – 07914 377868

About Sport England
Sport England is the organisation that develops, promotes and invests in community sport. It aims to increase the number of people from all backgrounds who are physically active and involved in sport, with a focus on key priority groups who are currently under-represented in sport.

Through partners and a strong regional network, Sport England delivers effective community investments to support a more active and healthy society. Such investment supports facilities development, as well as encouraging, developing, and supporting clubs, coaches and volunteers across the country.