Could the 2014 track worlds be rained off?
Fears for the event grow as storms sweep in and force cancellation of training session - Velodrome in Cali has open sides - Strong winds have blown rain on to the wooden surface - Flooding in the access tunnel
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

The 2014 UCI track cycling world championships are due to start in Cali, Colombia tomorrow (Wednesday, February 26) but for the first time in over a decade the weather is threatening the event.
The track world championships and Olympics moved to indoor velodromes soon after the Atlanta Games in 1996 to avoid disruption from the weather and allow the world championships and world cups to move to the winter season.
However, while the velodrome in Cali has a roof, it also has open sides allowing the rain to sweep in when the wind is blowing. Last week riders due to compete in Cali had been tweeting rumours of water on the track, and a possible hole in the roof, but nothing would have prepared them for this.
Great Britain's track sprint coach Iain Dyer posted these tweets from the team's training session on Monday.
The British team did eventually get on to the track and complete their session as the wood dried out quickly, but it lead Iain Dyer, a long standing member of GB coaching staff and former coach of Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton, to question the quality of velodromes that have been used this winter.
The weather forecast for the next week is for more showers.
UCI rule busting
The situation prompts the question; why is the UCI not sticking to its rules of holding world championships on indoor velodromes? However, nowhere in the rules does it say this. Instead it says:
Track events included on the UCI international calendar must be held at a UCI-homologated velodrome. Exceptionally, special dispensations may be granted by the UCI for velodromes in use prior to 2001
The UCI homologation of a track is then described at length, covering everything from the length, to the angle of the banking of the track, the painted lines, the lighting and various facilities for officials.
The UCI also classifies tracks into four categories. Category number one is for Olympic events and world championships. But again, this only concerns the length of the track, the width and the radius of the turns.
The 2014 track world championships are due to start on Wednesday morning.
Thank you for reading 10 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
Editor of Cycling Weekly magazine, Simon has been working at the title since 2001. He fell in love with cycling 1989 when watching the Tour de France on Channel 4, started racing in 1995 and in 2000 he spent one season racing in Belgium. During his time at CW (and Cycle Sport magazine) he has written product reviews, fitness features, pro interviews, race coverage and news. He has covered the Tour de France more times than he can remember along with two Olympic Games and many other international and UK domestic races. He became the 130-year-old magazine's 13th editor in 2015.
-
-
'The apparel industry is deeply broken': US apparel company Kitsbow to close
After Presca, Velofixen, Milltag and Machines for Freedom, Kitsbow is the latest cycling apparel company to announce its end of operations this year.
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Computer company Acer is making an AI-powered bike and it’s got some wild features
Taiwanese hardware and electronics corporation, Acer, best known for its powerful laptop computers, appears to be diversifying its product offerings with the creation of a (super) smart e-bike
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Back to school - Ryan Owens on training for the Olympics while studying for a masters in business
The 27-year-old plans on returning to the track after completing an MBA
By Andy McGrath • Published
-
Extinction Rebellion stages anti-Shell protest at British Track Champs
Two people carried a banner through the stands at Newport's Geraint Thomas National Velodrome
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Inside British Cycling's £1 wind tunnel
Cycling Weekly goes behind the scenes of the new medal factory on British Cycling's doorstep
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Live watch parties, multiple camera angles but no rider interaction - here's what cycling in the metaverse will look like
Next weekend's Track Champions League rounds will offer fans a new level of immersion
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
Zero to hero: A budding cyclist tries out riding track for the first time
Adam Becket cycles a lot, but never before has he taken to the boards. The 2024 Olympic velodrome beckoned
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Ghent-Six 2022: everything you need to know
Our guide on everything Ghent-Six
By Cycling Weekly • Published
-
Newport Velodrome seeks to host Ukraine's track championships
National Championships cannot take place at home due to the Russian invasion, donations needed
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Newport to host 2023 British National Track Championships
Welsh national track to host champs in January for second year running
By Adam Becket • Published