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2012 track 'will be the fastest in cycling history'
Matthew Beard, Sports News Correspondent25.03.09
THE 2012 velodrome will have the fastest track in cycling history, Olympics chiefs pledged today.
As construction work began on the venue, the Olympic Delivery Authority forecast world records would tumble in the cycling arena.
It has ordered designers Hopkins Architects to build the steepest possible gradients on the curves of the track made of spruce to induce speed. Underground heating will also play its part by thinning the air thus allowing sprinters to shave fractions of a second off each lap at the 6,000-seater venue.
The velodrome in Stratford will also minimise draughts at track level, a requirement proposed by triple Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy who was consulted during design development.
However, designers must balance sprinters' track demands against those of the endurance riders who prefer a rounder, flatter track.
Track specialist Ron Webb - who created the velodromes for the Sydney Olympics and the Manchester Commonwealth Games - is overseeing the design. ODA chairman John Armitt said: "The success of our cyclists in Beijing and the growing popularity of cycling in the UK will help give us real momentum as we start construction work on the 2012 velodrome. The start of construction work is a milestone in our plans to create a world-class cycling venue with a record-breaking track for events in 2012 and the legacy of first-class facilities to help create the next generation of Olympic champions."
With the success of Britain's cyclists at last year's Olympics and this week's Track Cycling World Championships in mind, 2012 chairman Lord Coe said: "Britain leads the way in world cycling and deserves a world-class stage in 2012 so the start of work on time on a landmark new cycling venue for London is a significant milestone."
Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: "Today we've witnessed the start of construction of what, with the help of Sir Chris Hoy, we hope will be the fastest track in the world for London 2012, helping Olympic and Paralympic cyclists better their awe-inspiring performances last summer."
The budget for the velodrome has been pushed to £105million by "more complex foundations and ground conditions", according to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's annual report on the £9.3billion Olympic project.
Reader views (6)
I thought the speeds in Beijing were fast! But even faster? Whats going to be done with the Manchester Velodrome?
- Jack Macdonald, Stratford CT, USA
Shame, afterward how fast would it disappear?
- Adrian, london
Why not let them cycle down one of those long slides like they do in the Ski Jumping? They'd get a terrific run up then.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
Forgive me for being old fashioned but I thought the Riders made the bikes go faster.
- David., Chertsey.UK.
Why not make it faster by having the whole thing move like a travelator?
- Keith, Kings Cross, London, UK
I thought that competition between humans was the idea; why not just fit motors to the bikes? Apparently it's now admitted that bike design had much to do with our previous medal haul, so what's the point?
- Mdj E10, london uk
