1948 Olympic track brought up to date
Sports Minister Hugh Robertson reopens renovated Herne Hill Velodrome.
L-R Brian Cookson - British Cycling President, John Major - Chief Executive of The Dulwich Estate, Chris Boardman CBE, Tessa Jowell聽- MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, Hugh Robertson MP - Minister for Sports and the聽Olympics聽
The - the last remaining finals venue from the 聽still in active use - has been given a new lease of life, with an injection of cash from and a bequest from a life-long track cycling fan.
The track, which has been in a state of disrepair for some time, now benefits from a state-of-the-art new surface and enhanced safety features.聽 The was funded by British Cycling through its investment and from a financial bequest left to British Cycling for use 鈥榠n the pursuit of track cycling鈥� by London resident and life-long supporter of the Herne Hill Velodrome, Leonard Lyes.聽
Training ground for champions
Herne Hill is is the track on which triple Olympic Champion first started racing at the age of 12.聽 Wiggins called the redevelopment 鈥渇antastic鈥�, adding that he hoped the new track would encourage 鈥渕ore young people head down to Herne Hill to learn the ropes, develop their skills and, who knows, start their journey towards Olympic success.鈥�
Reopening the venue, Sports and Olympics Minister said 鈥淚t is fitting that the year before , we are able to celebrate the refurbishment of the track at one of the key venues from the 1948 Games. As the popularity of cycling continues to grow, it is vital that people are provided with the facilities and opportunities to ride their bikes, be they young people starting out, serious racers, or others simply cycling to keep fit. Thanks to the new track that has been laid Herne Hill now takes its place as one of the country鈥檚 leading cycling facilities.鈥�