Olympic velodrome given seal of approval from Australian track team
Track sprinter Patrick Constable says the Rio Olympic velodrome gets the thumbs up from him after the Australian team's practice session

The troubled velodrome in the Rio Olympic Park appears to be ready for action, with the Australian track team giving the the venue the thumbs up.
Team GB's cyclists are still training in south Wales, but the Australians have flown to South America early to acclimatise and try out the track, which was only completed in June.
Sprinter Patrick Constable gave the new track a glowing review after the team's latest training session ahead of the Games. Track cycling begins on August 11.
“I think the general consensus is it is a pretty good track, it transitions well, really smooth to ride and they’ve done a good job building it,” he told Olympics.com.au.
“The thinking going into this one was the dust may have been an issue as it’s just been constructed, but we’ve come off that session and had no issues. That will get better still as we progress to the Olympics.
“Every track is different to ride but this is definitely a nice one.”
Issues with contractors meant that the velodrome was the last Olympic venue to be completed. Australia are tipped to feature prominently in the track cycling events, with the team pursuit squad tipped for a final match-up with Great Britain.
Constable's teammate Matthew Glaetzer is one of the favourites to defeat defending champion Jason Kenny in the individual sprint, while the evergreen Anna Meares is the rider to beat in the women's keirin.
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
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.
-
-
No joy for Yates after Giro d'Italia victory: five talking points from stage 14
Yates won the stage, but he wanted to win the race
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
Men's Velocio LUXE bib shorts review
They're as good as the price demands, quickly becoming the go-to bib shorts
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Katie Archibald leads after opening night of Track Champions League debut
Archibald leads the Endurance League after the first night of racing
By Jonny Long • Published
-
Great Britain make history on first day of Track Cycling World Championships
Three titles were awarded on the opening day, in the women’s scratch race and the men's and women's team sprints
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Katie Archibald crowned European scratch race champion in first race since Olympic success
Great Britain took gold in the women’s scratch on the opening night of racing at the European Championships in Switzerland
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Elinor Barker reveals she won silver medal at Tokyo Olympics while pregnant
The British cyclist announced on social media that she is expecting her first child, revealing she was pregnant during the Olympics
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Roubaix to host 2021 World Track Championships.... but not the velodrome you're thinking of
The famous French town is more known for the 'Hell of the North' than track cycling
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • 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
-
Britain’s Matt Walls wins gold in Tokyo 2020 Olympic Omnium, Elia Viviani claims bronze
Walls takes the first gold for Team GB on the track
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Tokyo 2020 Olympics track cycling LIVE: Day four updates from the Omnium, Keirin and sprint
Follow the medals sessions from the men's Omnium and the women's Keirin
By Alex Ballinger • Published