Cycling’s world governing body Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), have today announced that Glasgow’s Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome will host a round of the 2012/13 UCI Track World Cup series, which will see British Cycling deliver an event in which the world’s best riders compete at the venue for the first time.
Taking place from 16 to 18 November 2012, the Track World Cup is a qualifying event for the 2013 World Championships.
Five Olympic Champions, including Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton competed for GB at the London World Cup in February, and the Glasgow event will give fans the first opportunity to see the GB Cycling Team in international action after the summer games.
Developed ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome is nearing completion and is due to open in October. The state-of-the-art venue will be home to track cycling in Scotland, and hosting events like the Track World Cup will continue to build on the city’s reputation within the international sporting community.
Councillor Gordon Matheson, the Leader of Glasgow City Council said:
“Glasgow’s position as one of the world’s leading sporting cities has been built on a record of hosting international events and investing in world-class infrastructure.
“That reputation will continue to grow when the world’s top cyclists compete in the UCI Track Cycling World Cup at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodorme in November, in what will be the first major event to be staged in the venue.”
Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland added:
“It is testament to Scotland’s credentials as a major events destination that we have secured the Track World Cup for Glasgow, which will bring the best riders in the world to the new Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.
“Scotland is the perfect stage for major international events and the new venue will undoubtedly contribute to our existing cycling portfolio, while making a significant contribution to the legacy of hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games.”
UK Sport’s Director of Major Events, Simon Morton, said:
“Through our National Lottery funded World Class Events Programme, UK Sport is committed to staging major international events across the UK, to maximise the legacy of London 2012 and support preparations for Glasgow 2014.
“With the Track Cycling World Cup having been staged at the Olympic Velodrome in London and the National Cycling Centre in Manchester, it is fantastic news that the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow will become the third British venue to host this prestigious event.
“The Track Cycling World Cup is an outstanding event showcasing some of the UK’s best athletes, and it will present an excellent opportunity to put the new venue through its paces with the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games on the horizon.”
Welcoming online the third international UK velodrome and the third city to host a round of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in the UK, British Cycling President Brian Cookson said:
“We’re delighted that Glasgow’s Sir Chris Hoy velodrome will host a round of the 2012 track world cup. After a successful event in London this year, we’re pleased to see another world-class facility in the UK christened with a round of this prestigious series.
“The awarding of this event is a great endorsement by the world governing body for the high standards our team at British Cycling have set in the delivery of major international events, and we hope this world cup will be a fantastic pre-cursor to the city hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2014.
We look forward to working closely with the UCI and Glasgow to make it a success.”
Tickets for the event are due to go on sale by early July.
See GlasgowLife for more.
