London Velopark
Encyclopedia
The London Velopark is a cycling centre which was built in Leyton
in east London, United Kingdom. It will serve as one of the 'Big Five' permanent Olympic and Paralympic venues for the 2012 Games. The Velopark is situated at the northern end of London's Olympic Park
. The Velopark features a Velodrome and BMX racing track, which will be used for the Games as well as having a one mile (1.6 km) road racing course and a mountain bike track. The park replaces the Eastway Cycle Circuit which was demolished to make way for it. The facilities built for the Olympics were constructed between 2009 and 2011. The first event to be held in the Velopark was the London round of the 2011 UCI Supercross BMX World Cup series.
would invest £10.5 million, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
£6 million and the Major of London and Transport of London would invest £3 million and £2.5 million respectively. The site was to be 34 hectors on the northern end of the proposed Olympic Park, next to the A12. The park would include a Velodrome seating 1,500 people which would be increased to 6,000 if London's bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games was successful. In addition the site would also have an international competition BMX circuit, a BMX freestyle park, cyclo-cross/cross-country course mountain bike course and an outdoor cycle speedway track. The facilities would be used by international riders as well as those learning to ride. It was estimated that the park would attract 88,000 users a year, replacing the Eastway Cycle Circuit. Eastway Cycle Circuit opened in 1975, it was the first purpose built road cycling venue in Britain. The facility closed in September 2006 to make way for London's VeloPark. The velodrome will become the third 250 m (273.4 yd) covered track in Great Britain. In September 2008 plans for the VeloPark were revealed, which were chosen with help from Chris Hoy
. However by March 2007, the VeloPark was revealed to be only a third of its original size, rescaled from 34 to 10 hectors. The decrease in the size of the site led to users of the Eastway cycle circuit to protest to the Mayor of London.
announced the selection of the design team for the Velopark, comprising Hopkins Architects
, Expedition Engineering
, BDSP, and Grant Associates.
The Velopark is scheduled to be completed by the contractor, ISG, in 2011. In 2004, during London's Olympic and Paralympic bid, the estimated cost was £
37 million, including £20 million for the velodrome.
The Velodrome was officially opened by many successful British athletes including Chris Hoy
and Victoria Pendleton
. It is informally known as "The Pringle
" due to its distinctive shape. It was shortlisted for the 2011 RIBA Stirling Prize. and won the 2011 Structural Awards
Supreme Award for Structural Engineering. The venue will be used for the first time in competition during the UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics
in February 2012
. The velodrome will also be used for the 2012 Paralympics.
track will also have a spectator capacity of 6,000. Work began on its construction in March 2011. After the games the seating will be removed and the track will be reconfigured to accommodate all abilities. The first competition on the venue was the test event for the Olympic Games, a round of the 2011 UCI Supercross BMX World Cup series. The track for men is 470 metres long and features a berm jump, an S-bend transfer, a box jump and a rhythm section in the final straight. The women's course is 430 metres long featuring three jumps in the opening straight and a tunnel before like the men's including a rhythm section in the final straight. It has been called one of the most challenging BMX tracks to date. The track also features an 8 metre high starting ramp and was designed by the UCI with the aim of pushing the boundaries of the sport. 14,000 cubic metres of soil was used to build the track. After the Supercross world cup event, Shanaze Reade
called for changes to the track. She stated that the track was on the limit if the wind changed. Sarah Walker echoed Reade's calls stating that the track could get ugly on a windy day.
In preparation for the 2012 Summer Olympics, in 2010 the Dutch National Olympic Committee commissioned a replica of the planned BMX track at their National Sports Centre Papendal
. It came into use in March 2011, ahead of the hand over of the London Velopark BMX venue.
The promised cycle speedway
track will not be built. In August 2011 it was announced that the road race course will be rerouted to allow more space and parkland after suggestions from Sport England
and British Cycling
. The course will now cross the River Lee and parkland linking up with other cycle routes in London.
The London Development Agency
(LDA) have funded a new permanent road cycle circuit and mountain bike course at the Redbridge Cycling Centre
, costing £5m. The London Borough of Redbridge
will be funding the facility up to the completion of the legacy London Velopark. Work is underway to identify an operator of Hog Hill beyond 2012.
Leyton
Leyton is an area of north-east London and part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest, located north east of Charing Cross. It borders Walthamstow and Leytonstone; Stratford in Newham; and Homerton and Lower Clapton in the London Borough of Hackney....
in east London, United Kingdom. It will serve as one of the 'Big Five' permanent Olympic and Paralympic venues for the 2012 Games. The Velopark is situated at the northern end of London's Olympic Park
Olympic Park, London
The Olympic Park in London is a new sporting complex currently under construction, adjacent to the Stratford City development in Stratford, Bow, Leyton & Homerton in East London for the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics....
. The Velopark features a Velodrome and BMX racing track, which will be used for the Games as well as having a one mile (1.6 km) road racing course and a mountain bike track. The park replaces the Eastway Cycle Circuit which was demolished to make way for it. The facilities built for the Olympics were constructed between 2009 and 2011. The first event to be held in the Velopark was the London round of the 2011 UCI Supercross BMX World Cup series.
Planning
In February 2005 plans were announced for a £22 million VeloPark. Sport EnglandSport England
Sport England is the brand name for the English Sports Council and is a non-departmental public body under the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
would invest £10.5 million, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority is a statutory body that is responsible for managing and developing the long, Lee Valley Regional Park. The park was established by Parliament in 1967. The headquarters of the authority are based at Myddleton House, Bulls Cross in the London Borough of Enfield,...
£6 million and the Major of London and Transport of London would invest £3 million and £2.5 million respectively. The site was to be 34 hectors on the northern end of the proposed Olympic Park, next to the A12. The park would include a Velodrome seating 1,500 people which would be increased to 6,000 if London's bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games was successful. In addition the site would also have an international competition BMX circuit, a BMX freestyle park, cyclo-cross/cross-country course mountain bike course and an outdoor cycle speedway track. The facilities would be used by international riders as well as those learning to ride. It was estimated that the park would attract 88,000 users a year, replacing the Eastway Cycle Circuit. Eastway Cycle Circuit opened in 1975, it was the first purpose built road cycling venue in Britain. The facility closed in September 2006 to make way for London's VeloPark. The velodrome will become the third 250 m (273.4 yd) covered track in Great Britain. In September 2008 plans for the VeloPark were revealed, which were chosen with help from Chris Hoy
Chris Hoy
Sir Christopher Andrew "Chris" Hoy, MBE is a Scottish track cyclist representing Great Britain and Scotland. He is a multiple world champion and Olympic Games gold medal winner...
. However by March 2007, the VeloPark was revealed to be only a third of its original size, rescaled from 34 to 10 hectors. The decrease in the size of the site led to users of the Eastway cycle circuit to protest to the Mayor of London.
Builders
On 12 July 2007, the Olympic Delivery AuthorityOlympic Delivery Authority
The Olympic Delivery Authority is the statutory corporation responsible for ensuring delivery of venues, infrastructure and legacy for the 2012 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in London...
announced the selection of the design team for the Velopark, comprising Hopkins Architects
Hopkins Architects
Hopkins Architects Partnership LLP is a prominent British architectural firm established in 1976 by Sir Michael and Lady Patricia Hopkins. The practice has won many awards for its work and has twice been shortlisted for the Stirling Prize, including in 2011 for the 2012 London Velodrome and in...
, Expedition Engineering
Expedition Engineering
Expedition Engineering is a London based consulting firm, delivering structural engineering services.-History:Expedition Engineering was founded in 1999 by Professor Chris Wise and Seán Walsh, both former employees at Arup.On 2 October 2008, Expedition's ownership was restructured, passing to an...
, BDSP, and Grant Associates.
The Velopark is scheduled to be completed by the contractor, ISG, in 2011. In 2004, during London's Olympic and Paralympic bid, the estimated cost was £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
37 million, including £20 million for the velodrome.
Velodrome
In 2009, at the time work began on the construction of the velodrome, the estimated cost of that facility alone was £105 million. Work on the Velodrome was completed in February 2011. The Velodrome was the first Olympic Park venue to be completed. The roof is designed to reflect the geometry of cycling as well as being lightweight and efficient reflecting a bike. There is also a 360 degree concorse level with windows allowing people views of the Olympic Park. The Velodrome is energy efficient with rooflights reducing the need for artificial lights and natural ventilation reducing the need for air condition, rain water is also saved cutting the amount of water used. Designer Ron Webb who designed the Velodrome tracks for the Sydney and Athens Games was in charge of the design and installation of the track. The track was made with 56 km of Siberian Pine and 350,000 nails.The Velodrome was officially opened by many successful British athletes including Chris Hoy
Chris Hoy
Sir Christopher Andrew "Chris" Hoy, MBE is a Scottish track cyclist representing Great Britain and Scotland. He is a multiple world champion and Olympic Games gold medal winner...
and Victoria Pendleton
Victoria Pendleton
Victoria Louise Pendleton MBE is a British Olympic and world champion track cyclist. Her father, Max, was also a British national grass-track cycling champion.-Early years:...
. It is informally known as "The Pringle
Pringles
Pringles is a brand of potato and wheat based snacks originally developed by Procter & Gamble. Pringles are sold in more than 140 countries and have yearly sales of more than...
" due to its distinctive shape. It was shortlisted for the 2011 RIBA Stirling Prize. and won the 2011 Structural Awards
Structural Awards
The Institution of Structural Engineers' Structural Awards have been awarded for the structural design of buildings and infrastructure since 1968...
Supreme Award for Structural Engineering. The venue will be used for the first time in competition during the UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics
UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics
The UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics is the elite men and women's season-long competition in track cycling, which now comprises several rounds, each held in a different country. The 1995 World Cup had six rounds, this was reduced to four in 1998, 1999-2001 compromised of five rounds before...
in February 2012
2011–2012 UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics
The 2011–2012 UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics is a multi race tournament over a season of track cycling. The season runs from 4 November 2011 to 19 February 2012. The World Cup is organised by the Union Cycliste Internationale...
. The velodrome will also be used for the 2012 Paralympics.
BMX track
The outdoor BMX racingBMX racing
BMX racing is a type of off-road bicycle racing. The format of BMX was derived from motocross racing. BMX bicycle races are sprint races on purpose-built off-road single-lap race tracks. The track usually small a starting gate for up to eight racers, a groomed, serpentine, dirt race course made of...
track will also have a spectator capacity of 6,000. Work began on its construction in March 2011. After the games the seating will be removed and the track will be reconfigured to accommodate all abilities. The first competition on the venue was the test event for the Olympic Games, a round of the 2011 UCI Supercross BMX World Cup series. The track for men is 470 metres long and features a berm jump, an S-bend transfer, a box jump and a rhythm section in the final straight. The women's course is 430 metres long featuring three jumps in the opening straight and a tunnel before like the men's including a rhythm section in the final straight. It has been called one of the most challenging BMX tracks to date. The track also features an 8 metre high starting ramp and was designed by the UCI with the aim of pushing the boundaries of the sport. 14,000 cubic metres of soil was used to build the track. After the Supercross world cup event, Shanaze Reade
Shanaze Reade
Shanaze Danielle Reade is a professional British Bicycle Motocross racer and track cyclist whose prime competitive years began in 2002. She has won the UCI BMX World Championships three times...
called for changes to the track. She stated that the track was on the limit if the wind changed. Sarah Walker echoed Reade's calls stating that the track could get ugly on a windy day.
In preparation for the 2012 Summer Olympics, in 2010 the Dutch National Olympic Committee commissioned a replica of the planned BMX track at their National Sports Centre Papendal
National Sports Centre Papendal
The National Sports Centre Papendal is the national sports development centre of the Netherlands, located in the Veluwe woods from Arnhem.-National Sports Centre:The first event held at Papendal was the 1980 Summer Paralympics, from June 21 to July 5...
. It came into use in March 2011, ahead of the hand over of the London Velopark BMX venue.
Post Games
The Eastway Cycle Circuit was demolished for the VeloPark before being merged with the new park. It was announced that along with the VeloPark there would be three new cycle circuits created around London. In early February 2007 the plans at the VeloPark / Eastway cycle centre were revised with no mountain bike course. By mid-February it was announced that Hog Hill would be the temporary relocation of the Eastway cycle centre.The promised cycle speedway
Cycle speedway
Cycle speedway is a form of bicycle racing on short oval dirt tracks, usually outdoors, occasionally indoors, typically 70-90 metres long. Like motorcycle speedway, riders use machines without brakes or multiple gears but, unlike motor speedway, the object is not to slide bikes round the...
track will not be built. In August 2011 it was announced that the road race course will be rerouted to allow more space and parkland after suggestions from Sport England
Sport England
Sport England is the brand name for the English Sports Council and is a non-departmental public body under the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
and British Cycling
British Cycling
British Cycling is the national governing body for cycle racing in Great Britain. It administers most competitive cycling in Great Britain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man...
. The course will now cross the River Lee and parkland linking up with other cycle routes in London.
The London Development Agency
London Development Agency
The London Development Agency is the Regional Development Agency for Greater London, England. It is a functional body of the Greater London Authority...
(LDA) have funded a new permanent road cycle circuit and mountain bike course at the Redbridge Cycling Centre
Redbridge Cycling Centre
Redbridge Cycling Centre is a new permanent road cycle circuit and mountain bike course at Hog Hill – near Hainault Forest Country Park and directly opposite the Forest Cemetery & Crematorium. The £5m cost of the facility was funded by the London Development Agency as a replacement the...
, costing £5m. The London Borough of Redbridge
London Borough of Redbridge
The London Borough of Redbridge is a London borough in outer north-east London. Its administrative headquarters is at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford. The local authority is Redbridge London Borough Council.-Etymology:...
will be funding the facility up to the completion of the legacy London Velopark. Work is underway to identify an operator of Hog Hill beyond 2012.
External links
- London2012.com BMX Circuit profile.
- London2012.com Velodrome profile.
- Lee Valley Park: The Velodrome and BMX Course
- Cycling Weekly: Eastway Savaged and Off-Road Circuit Killed Off 5 February 2007
- Cycling Weekly: £50m for Cycling – But Olympic Velopark Too Small 13 February 2007
- Cycling Weekly: London Alliance Object to Velopark Plans 20 February 2007
- London Borough of Newham: Cycling and the London Games
- London Development Agency: Plans for new London ‘VeloPark’ announced, 15 February 2005
- London Development Agency: Search is on for Olympic Velopark designer and construction advisors 27 May 2005
- British Cycling: The London Olympic Bid and Eastway Cycle Circuit December 2003
- London Assembly: Fiftieth Mayor’s Report to the Assembly 16 March 2005
- BikeBiz: Eastway road and MTB circuit is safe, says British Cycling 19 December 2003
- BikeBiz: Eastway cyclists get a new site 6 October 2003
- cyclingnews.com: London cycling complex announced 16 February 2005
- Singletrack: Eastway mountain biking still at risk from Olympic plans 16 December 2003