Rio Olympic velodrome finally handed over to organisers
Riders are able to practise on the Olympic velodrome track but there is still work needed to finish the venue ahead of the Games
Six weeks before the Olympic Games begin in Rio de Janeiro, the troubled velodrome has finally been handed over to the organisers, with riders practising on the track this weekend.
The velodrome suffered numerous setbacks, with two test events ahead of the Games having to be postponed, but the UCI and the riders who have tested it are confident it will be 100 per cent finished in time for the start of the Olympics on August 5.
“We see that the building is still under construction, so there is a bit of dust on the track,” Swiss rider Gael Suter, who practiced on Sunday, told the Associated Press.
“Maybe it is not 100 percent yet. But no doubt it will be ready for the Olympics, and it will be a fast track.”
A beginner's guide to the Team Pursuit
Temporary seating still needs to be added to the venue, with concessions stands and other facilities also needing to be added.
“It’s certainly not ideal, but given the circumstances we’re very happy to have some practice this weekend,” said the UCI technical delegate Gilles Peruzzi.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Preparations for the Games have been hampered by Brazil's steepest recession since the 1930s, with the Zika virus, budget cuts and slow ticket sales also causing problems.
Then, on June 24, the World Anti-Doping Agency suspended the laboratory that would analyse the doping tests in the city during the Games. AP reports that if the laboratory is not re-opened ahead of the Games, thousands of samples will have to be shipped abroad for analysis.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
'I've never seen the cobbles as bad as this' - Inside one team's Paris-Roubaix recon
Tom Davidson joins British Continental team Lifeplus-Wahoo as they prepare for the most feared race of the season
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tweets of the week: Marianne Vos is still boss, Lorena Wiebes raves, and Geraint Thomas issues a warning
While some riders hope to manage one win in their career, Marianne Vos has 250
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'All the conditions are met, then it's questioned again' - Visma-Lease a Bike bemoan UCI review after 'a lot of money' spent on development of Giro helmet
Team reacts to governing body statement on Tuesday, day after new helmet was debuted
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
The UCI is banning time trial helmet optimisations - one day after Giro lid broke cover
The 'head sock' is out, with more helmets to be reviewed - whilst hookless rim investigation is still ongoing
By Adam Becket Published
-
'My legs are screaming' - 17-year-old stuns with two gold medals at the British Track Championships
Sam Fisher enjoyed a dream day with victories in the team pursuit and scratch race
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I'm in shock' - 16-year-old school student wins medal at British Track Championships
A-Level student Henry Hobbs rode a blistering kilometre time trial to earn a spot on the podium
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Olympic hopeful Will Perrett dazzles at British Track Championships
27-year-old gains three laps to win points race in style, on a night when para-cycling national records tumbled
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘I was expecting to be 7th or 8th’ - retired pro takes shock victory at British Track Championships
Pete Mitchell soared to a national title on his racing comeback
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Great Britain collect best ever medal tally at ‘fantastic’ European Track Championships
Performance director Stephen Park hails squad after claiming 14 medals
By Tom Davidson Published
-
GB claim team pursuit gold at the European Championships in important Olympics scrap
Men’s quartet move closer to Paris qualification with victory over Denmark
By Tom Davidson Published