Hong Kong will host 2017 Track World Championships

Hong Kong will host the 2017 Track Cycling World Championships, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announced on Saturday.

It's only the second time in the event's history that it has been hosted by a country in Asia – the first was the 1990 Championships in Maebashi, Japan. Next year's venue was announced during the 2016 Worlds in London.

"I am delighted that the 2017 UCI Track Cycling World Championships will be held in Hong Kong," said UCI president Brian Cookson.

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"Since London 2012 when Hong Kong won its first ever Olympic medal in cycling with Lee Wai Sze in the women’s Keirin, Hong Kong has progressed steadily.

"The fact that the event is going to Asia for the second time marks an important milestone in the further globalisation of track cycling. The UCI is already very much involved in the region with UCI World Cycling Satellites Centres in Japan, Republic of Korea and India.

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"We are convinced that the continent has huge athlete, commercial and broadcast potential and we will work with all our stakeholders to ensure the impact of these Championships is felt long after 2017."

According to the UCI, the Hong Kong 250-metre velodrome has a capacity for 3,000 spectators and was built in December 2013. Hong Kong hosted the final round of the 2015/2016 UCI Track World Cup over January 16-17.