Lee Valley VeloPark

"Velopark" redirects here. For the motorsport complex in Brazil, see Velopark (Brazil).
Lee Valley VeloPark

The London Velopark in April 2012
Full name Lee Valley VeloPark
Location Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, London
Operator Lee Valley Regional Park Authority[1]
Capacity 6,000 (velodrome)
Field size 250 metres
Surface Siberian pine (velodrome)
Construction
Broke ground 2009
Built 2009–2011
Construction cost £105 million (velodrome)
Architect Hopkins Architects, Grant Associates
Structural engineer Expedition Engineering
Services engineer BDSP
Main contractors ISG
Tenants
2012 Summer Olympics
2012 Summer Paralympics

Lee Valley VeloPark is a cycling centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, East London. It is owned and managed by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, and it was opened to the public in March 2014. The facility was one of the permanent venues for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Lee Valley VeloPark is at the northern end of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It has a velodrome and BMX racing track, which have been used for the Games, as well as a one-mile (1.6 km) road course and 5 miles (8 km) of mountain bike trails.[2] The park replaces the Eastway Cycle Circuit demolished to make way for it. The facilities built for the Olympics were constructed between 2009 and 2011. The first event in the Velopark was the London round of the 2011 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup series.

Planning

In February 2005 plans were announced for a £22 million VeloPark. Sport England would invest £10.5 million, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority £6 million and the Mayor of London and Transport for London would invest £3 million and £2.5 million respectively. The site was to be 34 hectares on the northern end of the proposed Olympic Park, next to the A12. The park would include a velodrome seating 1,500, which could be increased to 6,000 if London's bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games were successful. 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 internationals 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.[3][4][5] Eastway Cycle Circuit opened in 1975, it was the first purpose built road cycling venue in Britain.[6]

The facility closed in September 2006 to make way for London's VeloPark.[7] The velodrome is the third 250 m (270 yd) covered track in Great Britain.[8] In September 2008 plans for the VeloPark were revealed,[9] which were chosen with help from Chris Hoy.[10] However, by March 2007, the VeloPark was revealed to be only a third of its original size, rescaled from 34 to 10 hectares.[11] The decrease in the size of the site led to users of the Eastway cycle circuit to protest to the Mayor of London.[12]

Builders

On 12 July 2007, the Olympic Delivery Authority selected the design team: Hopkins Architects, Expedition Engineering, BDSP, and Grant Associates, following an architectural design competition managed by RIBA Competitions.[13]

The Velopark was scheduled to be completed by the contractor, ISG,[14] in 2011. In 2004, during London's Olympic and Paralympic bid, the estimated cost was £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.[15] Work on the velodrome was completed in February 2011,[16] and 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.[17] There is also a 360-degree concourse level with windows allowing people views of the Olympic Park. The velodrome is energy efficient—rooflights reduce the need for artificial lights, and natural ventilation reduces the need for air condition. Rain water is also collected, which reduces the amount of water used from the municipal water system. 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 250-metre track was made with 56 km (35 miles) of Siberian Pine and 350,000 nails.[18]

The velodrome was officially opened by many successful British athletes including Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton.[19] It is informally known as "The Pringle" due to its distinctive shape. It was shortlisted for the 2011 RIBA Stirling Prize.[20] and won the 2011 Structural Awards Supreme Award for Structural Engineering. In 2011, it also won the Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award at British Construction Industry Awards.[21]

The venue was used for the first time in competition during the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in February 2012. The velodrome was also used for the 2012 Paralympics.[22]

The London Velopark at the World Cup Cycling Event in February 2012
The London Velopark at the World Cup Cycling Event in February 2012

BMX track

The BMX Track during the 2012 Summer Olympics

The outdoor BMX racing track was scheduled to have a spectator capacity of 6,000. Work began on its construction in March 2011.[23] After the games the seating was removed and the track reconfigured to accommodate all abilities.[1][23] 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.[23] 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.[24] 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 (494,405 cu ft) of soil was used to build the track.[25] 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.[25]

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.[26]

London 2012 Games time

During the London 2012 Games the Olympic and Paralympic track cycling competition was held in the Velodrome with the adjoining BMX track hosting the Olympic BMX competition. Team GB dominated the track cycling competition winning seven out of a possible ten gold medals plus one silver and one bronze.[27] The GB Paralympic track cycling team won a total of 15 medals, comprising five golds, seven silver and three bronze.

Post-games

The Eastway Cycle Circuit was demolished for the VeloPark before being merged with the new park.[28] It was announced that along with the VeloPark there would be three new cycle circuits created around London.[29] In early February 2007 the plans for the VeloPark were revised with no mountain bike course.[30] By mid-February it was announced that Hog Hill would be the temporary relocation of the Eastway Cycle Centre.[29] The promised cycle speedway track will not be built.[31] 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.[32]

British Cycling will remain based at the Olympic-standard Manchester Velodrome which has been a catalyst for the success of British Cycling in recent years, most notably at the 2008 Olympic Games.[33] Team manager of British Cycling, David Brailsford has stated that the new indoor National BMX Arena in Manchester and the undulating terrain of North West England, ideal for practising road race cycling, offer a distinct advantage over London.[34] An agreement was struck in 2012 to bring track cycling to the London Velodrome post-2012 Olympics, with events such as Revolution series which have proved popular in Manchester.[35] In September 2013 the UCI announced that the Velodrome will host the 2016 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.[36]

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.[37]

Later events

Bradley Wiggins during his successful Hour record attempt at the Velodrome

Since opening for the public in March 2014, Lee Valley VeloPark has staged a number of major international events. The first that took place in the venue was the grand finale of the Revolution series in February 2014. This was followed by the opening round of the 2014-15 Revolution Series in October 2014 and in December 2014, the UCI Track Cycling World Cup took place at Lee Valley VeloPark. In February 2015, round five of the Revolution Series will be staged at the venue while in February 2016, it will host the 2016 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.[38][39][40][41]

On 7 June 2015 Sir Bradley Wiggins broke the UCI Hour record at the Velodrome, setting a distance of 54.526 km (33.881 miles).[42]

Velodrome awards

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "BMX Track | Venues". London 2012. 28 May 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  2. ↑ "Lee Valley Regional Park Authority – VeloPark". Leevalleypark.org.uk. 12 June 2007. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  3. ↑ "Plans for new London VeloPark announced | Greater London Authority". London.gov.uk. 16 February 2005. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  4. ↑ Report of the IOC Evaluation Commission on the London bid
  5. ↑ "GB cycling gets new £22m complex". BBC Sport. 15 February 2005. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  6. ↑ "50 Years Of British Cycling – The Seventies". Britishcycling.org.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  7. ↑ "Hog Hill proposed for new Eastway Cycle Circuit location – London Development Agency". Lda.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  8. ↑ "London Cycling Campaign". Lcc.org.uk. 23 August 2006. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  9. ↑ "Plans for 2012 VeloPark unveiled". BBC News. 8 September 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  10. ↑ "Hoy to help with Velopark design". BBC Sport. 25 April 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  11. ↑ Saini, Angela. "Shrinking Olympic legacy for cyclists". BBC. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  12. ↑ "Eastway Cycle group rides to City Hall". BBC. 19 March 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  13. ↑ "An arena fit for champions". RIBA Journal. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  14. ↑ ISG installs timber cycling track at Olympic Velodrome Construction Index
  15. ↑ Work begins on world's fastest velodrome, reuters.co.uk, 25 March 2009.
  16. ↑ "Velodrome for 2012 Games opened". BBC News. 22 February 2011.
  17. ↑ Thomas, Rachel (22 July 2011). "How the velodrome found its form". Plus Magazine. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
  18. ↑ "Velodrome unveiled as Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton, Jason Kenny & GB riders try out track for first time | February 2011". London 2012. 22 February 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  19. ↑ "Team GB cyclists test the track at unveiling of London 2012 Velodrome". London2012.com. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  20. ↑ Waters, Florence (21 July 2011). "RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist 2011: Olympic 'Pringle' Velodrome – Velodrome favourite for best new building in Europe – The Velodrome, an intimate cycling arena in London's Olympic Park, has been shortlisted for Britain's most coveted architecture award". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  21. ↑ "Winners 2011". www.bciawards.org.uk. 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  22. ↑ British Paralympic Association: London 2012 unveil Paralympic venue plan November 2006
  23. 1 2 3 Wynn, Nigel (2 March 2011). "Work starts on 2012 Olympic BMX track". Cycling Weekly. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  24. ↑ "Competition Guide 19–20 August 2011". Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  25. 1 2 Hope, Nick (20 August 2011). "Shanaze Reade calls for changes to Olympic BMX track". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  26. ↑ Williams, Ollie (25 March 2011). "Building a London 2012 venue – in a Dutch forest". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  27. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnUqd1Fh2Gk
  28. ↑ "Microsoft Word – green olympics report July 08" (PDF). Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  29. 1 2 Bingham, Keith (13 February 2007). "£50m for cycling, but Olympic Velopark Downgraded". Cycling Weekly. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  30. ↑ Bingham, Keith. "Eastway savaged and off-road circuit killed off". Cycling Weekly. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  31. ↑ "£50 million for cycling – but Olympic Velopark downgraded". Cycling Weekly. 13 February 2007.
  32. ↑ "London 2012: Cycle track in Lea Valley VeloPark after Olympics". BBC News. 19 August 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  33. ↑ "Sportcity: a guide to the venues in East Manchester". BBC Manchester. 12 March 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2012. The home of British Cycling, the Velodrome is largely credited with the seven gold medals bagged by Team GB at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
  34. ↑ "London 2012 Olympics: stunning Velodrome is officially opened, but Manchester is still home to British Cycling". The Daily Telegraph. 21 February 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  35. ↑ "Cycling Revolution goes national after deal with Olympic Velodrome, Manchester and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome". The Daily Telegraph. 17 February 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  36. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/24276308
  37. ↑ 2012 London Olympics – VeloPark (e-Architects) Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  38. ↑ http://sport-onthebox.com/2014/12/01/uci-track-world-cup-london-2014-on-bbc-sport/
  39. ↑ http://www.trackworldcup.co.uk/News/Article/2278/1
  40. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/30096761
  41. ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/track-cycling/11193415/Revolution-Series-201415-round-one-Laura-Trott-off-to-a-flyer-against-Marianne-Vos-at-Lee-Valley-VeloPark.html
  42. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/33041998

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Coordinates: 51°33′01″N 0°00′55″W / 51.5504°N 0.0153°W / 51.5504; -0.0153

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