Icons of cycling: Leicester Velodrome
We look back at a track that played a big part in British cycling history

Leicester track was awkward, anachronistic and open to the vagaries of the weather. But it was loved by riders — many of whom started their track cycling careers racing here and went on to Olympic glory.
Built in 1968 to host the track events of the 1970 World Championships, the 3,100-seater venue was afterwards run as part of the Saffron Lane Sports Centre.
>>> Sir Bradley Wiggins named in GB squad for European Track Championships
Sadly the track has now gone. Left idle after closing in 1999, it was finally demolished in 2008.
Its bumpy 333.33-metre concrete surface was originally painted white, and when the floodlights were switched on the track would shine brightly.
>>> Mark Cavendish ‘excited’ at prospect of riding with Wiggins again on the track (video)
The investment was worth it as the British team enjoyed a successful World Championships, despite the fact the team had almost no funding. Hugh Porter won the professional pursuit title over 5,000 metres, Ian Hallam won a silver medal in the men’s amateur pursuit, and the incredible Beryl Burton won a bronze in the women’s pursuit.
>>> From Burton to Armitstead: Britain’s road race world champions
Does a skinsuit really make that much difference?
Amateurs’ annual highlight
The Worlds returned in 1982, by which time the track had a new, smoother, wooden surface. It was still a bit odd to ride, with steep bankings for its size and an abrupt transition from banking to straight. But by then almost every keen club racer in the country knew it, because of National Championship week.
Before 1973, national track titles were held at separate track events dotted around the country. Any open track event was free to tender for an event, a process which saw them spread out across the country, throughout the season. Then Benny Foster came along.
>>> New Herne Hill velodrome facilities get the go ahead
Foster was the man behind the 1970 Worlds and was a driving force behind British track cycling in those days. He believed that bringing all the titles together at one meeting would help give young potential internationals a feel for the bigger competitions. He got the sponsors, added a bit of razzmatazz, and riders and spectators flocked to the first National Championship week.
>>> Track cycling likely to be missing from 2022 Commonwealth Games as Durban wins bid
Back then, ambitious club racers weren’t shy of taking on established riders, maybe because they were just like them — racers with jobs but who had a bit more talent or application. So many riders entered the distance events at Leicester they had to run heats to thin them out.
Competitor numbers dwindled when British track cycling switched its HQ to Manchester and took National Championship week with it. Now riders from the British squad with stacks of world and Olympic track titles dominate the Nationals, and today’s club racers are a bit more reluctant to take them on.
Main image: Leicester Velodrome by Bernard Thompson for Cycling Weekly
Thank you for reading 5 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
-
-
Koen Bouwman victorious in tightly fought Giro d'Italia 2022 stage seven
Superb Jumb-Visma teamwork leads Dutchman to his first Grand Tour stage win
By Richard Windsor • Published
-
Demi Vollering takes an impressive uphill sprint win at Itzulia Women 2022
The Dutch rider leads with two stages to go and two team-mates close on the general classification
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Jason Kenny retires from cycling, becomes GB sprint coach
Britain's most successful Olympian steps off bike after winning seven gold medals over career
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Ghent Six Day 2021: everything you need to know
Our guide on everything Ghent Six Day as the racing returns after a year out due to the Pandemic
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Olympic gold medal sprinter Phil Hindes announces retirement at 29
Hindes was an essential part of the GB team sprint squad, winning gold in London 2012 and Rio 2016
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
‘The dream is a reality’: Ashton Lambie sets staggering individual pursuit record, breaking the four-minute barrier
The US track rider claimed the record from Filippo Ganna
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
'I’ll make sure there’s a bike available if you think you’re good enough' - British Cycling boss responds to critics after Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Team GB was the best cycling nation in this year’s Games, matching the number of medals from London and Rio
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Kit, temperatures, and practice - How records fell on the opening day of Tokyo 2020 Olympics track cycling
With team pursuit world records falling in the first session, we asked Aerocoach expert Xavier Disley why
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Elinor Barker confident of catching Germany after qualifying second fastest at Tokyo Olympics
On a rapid opening day to the track events, the GB women’s team pursuit squad made mistakes but were still near the top of the standings
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
European Track Championships cancelled after ‘hijacking’ of Ryanair flight in Belarus
The European Championships were the last major event before the Tokyo Olympics
By Alex Ballinger • Published