Construction has started on the London 2012 Velodrome, in the same week as the Track Cycling World Championship's start in Poland where Great Britain's medal winning cyclists from the Beijing 2008 Games will be back in action.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is working with contractors, architects, track designers and Beijing Cycling gold medallist Chris Hoy to make the London 2012 Velodrome the fastest track ever.

The speed of the track is determined by a range of factors including the slope of the track, the temperature and environmental conditions.

The new Velodrome will provide a facility that London currently does not have. The Manchester Velodrome, which opened in 1994 for the Commonwealth Games, has become the busiest Velodrome in the world, with an over-subscribed track programme producing 40,000 rides per year for all riders.

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ODA Chairman John Armitt said: "The success of our cyclists in Beijing and the growing popularity of cycling in the UK will help give us real momentum as we start construction work on the 2012 Velodrome. The start of construction work is a significant milestone in our plans to create a world-class cycling venue with a record-breaking track for events in 2012. The legacy of first-class facilities will help create the next generation of champions.

"The Velodrome is the third sports venue on Olympic Park under construction and, together with the wider cycling facilities to be built after the Games, will be another landmark new venue for London."

The 6,000-seat Velodrome will host the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic indoor track cycling events. There will also be a BMX circuit for events in the Olympic Games. After the Games, a road cycle circuit and mountain bike course will be added to create a VeloPark that will combine cycling facilities across all disciplines in one cycling 'hub'.

(CD/JM)