Despite the track not being laid in the velodrome, organisers of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games are confident that the venue will be ready to hold the test event in April.
Originally scheduled for mid-March, the test event was pushed back to the end of April to accommodate delays in the construction of the velodrome.
Now, according to the Associated Press, a new construction firm has been appointed to finish off the work to ensure the Aquece Rio International Track Cycling Challenge event goes ahead as planned.
>>> ‘Team sprint women have not been good enough,’ says Shane Sutton after Jess Varnish criticism
In an interview with Insidethegames.biz in February, UCI president Brian Cookson insisted that the velodrome needs to be "watertight, airtight and air conditioned" before racing can take place.
“It is to ensure the right atmospheric, temperature and moisture conditions to ensure the track does not have any problems from the timbers, weathering or settling into place," Cookson said.
“These are important considerations, timber is a natural material so needs to be treated perfectly to ensure you get the perfect results.”
“I am confident the builders know what they are doing, but time is getting tight now.”
The track at the velodrome has not been laid, but the air conditioning system has reportedly been installed.
“No delays in test events, only for the velodrome," insisted Rio 2016 president Carlos Nuzman.
-
Ghent Six Day 2021: everything you need to knowOur guide on everything Ghent Six Day as the racing returns after a year out due to the Pandemic
-
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
-
‘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
-
'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
-
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
-
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
-
European Track Championships cancelled after ‘hijacking’ of Ryanair flight in Belarus
The European Championships were the last major event before the Tokyo Olympics
-
European track championships in Belarus in doubt after Ryanair flight was ‘hijacked’
German team have already pulled out while British squad expecting competition to be moved
