Triple Beijing gold medal-winning Olympic hero Chris Hoy unveiled plans for new world-class cycling facilities in London for cyclists of all ages and abilities today as the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) released the latest designs for the London 2012 VeloPark.

The VeloPark, to be based in the north of the Olympic Park, will include a 6,000-seat Velodrome to host the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic indoor track cycling events as well as a BMX circuit for Olympic events. After the Games, a road cycle circuit and mountain bike course will be added to create a legacy VeloPark that will combine cycling facilities across all disciplines in one cycling 'hub'. The VeloPark will be linked into cycle routes across London, connecting the whole of the capital with the new world-class cycling facilities.


Chris Hoy, together with Mayor of London Boris Johnson, LOCOG Chairman Seb Coe, ODA Chief Executive David Higgins and Lee Valley Regional Park Authority Chief Executive Shaun Dawson visited the Olympic Park site today to unveil the latest VeloPark plans.

Mr Johnson said: "The VeloPark is going to be an outstanding iconic landmark that will be admired around the world and I can't wait to see the finished structure packed to the rafters cheering on Team GB cyclists as once again they go for gold in 2012. It will also provide an excellent legacy of facilities for every type of cyclist from across the south of England and be able to compete to stage major cycling competitions and events in the years to come."

Shaun Dawson, Chief Executive of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA) which will own and operate the VeloPark in legacy, said: "When the Games are over the Velodrome will open to the public and the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will start work to complete the VeloPark which will include a reconfigured BMX course, a new one mile road circuit and mountain bike trails.

"The Olympic VeloPark will attract cyclists from all disciplines and become a cycling hub for London and the region. It will be a place where schoolchildren, clubs, groups and elite riders can train, race or just simply cycle for fun. The LVRPA will operate the VeloPark in legacy which will be part of its commitment to a zone of sporting excellence which will stretch from the White Water Canoe and Slalom Course in Broxbourne down to the Thames."

(CD/JM)