Following on from the announcement of the 2022 UCI Track Champions League Calendar, we wanted to delve deeper into each of the 4 locations hosting this season. Today is the turn of the United Kingdom, which on the 2-3rd of December, will host the Grande Finale at the Lee Valley VeloPark in London.
The award-winning Lee Valley VeloPark will be the stage that decides which champions will be crowned in the final round of the 2022 series of the UCI Track Champions League.
Since its reveal in 2012, this iconic track has been home to many jaw-dropping performances; the London 2012 Olympic Games saw the likes of Chris Hoy, Laura Kenny, and Jason Kenny, among others storm to victory, taking seven out of a possible ten gold medals; Sir Bradley Wiggins’ successful attempt on the UCI Hour Record in 2015, and more recently, the back-to-back, sold-out rounds of the UCI Track Champions League in 2021.
The iconic venue was designed by leading practice, Hopkins Architects, and has a capacity for over 5500 spectators. The track sits at seven metres wide and 250 metres long. Made of Siberian pine, and with a banking of 42° at its highest and 12° at its lowest, it is clear the track is built for speed. With the stakes being higher than ever, it looks highly likely we will see some spectacular performances in this round.
Track Champions League Ambassador Sir Chris Hoy MBE said: “After the overwhelming success of last year’s inaugural season, I’m delighted that fans in Germany and France will also get to experience the unique spectacle of the Track Champions League. Both the Velodrom Berlin and Vélodrome National de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines are world class venues, and so along with Mallorca and London we are taking things to yet another level for the 2022 season.”
First women’s endurance champion at the UCI Track Champions League, Katie Archibald said: “The Track Champions League going to Berlin and Paris is very cool.
I liked starting the League in Mallorca last year with a training camp beforehand (to make sure I’m ready for an intense two months) so I’m happy to see that’s our opener again.
For me as a British rider, having the Grand Finale in Great Britain is a big deal. But even if I was from Mars I know racing in London is something special. I can’t wait!”
British Cycling CEO, Brian Facer, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming the UCI Track Champions League back to London this winter. Last December we were delighted to host the final two rounds of the inaugural series and London showed once again why it is regarded as the best city in the world to watch track cycling, with capacity crowds and a fantastic atmosphere.
I know first-hand how the UCI Track Champions League has taken track cycling to new heights in terms of a sporting spectacle and fan experience, and we’re excited by the plans which the UCI, Discovery and Eurosport Events have for 2022.
To be invited to host two rounds once again in the Lee Valley VeloPark velodrome is testament to our status as a leading track cycling nation, our ability to host the sport’s flagship events, and our legacy of providing showpiece occasions for the best riders in the sport to shine.”
Shaun Dawson, Chief Executive of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, which owns Lee Valley VeloPark said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming back the thrilling UCI Track Champions League in what is a momentous year for us and this magnificent venue. Lee Valley VeloPark makes history this year when we host the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games track and para track cycling making it the only venue in the world to have hosted an Olympics, Paralympics, World Championship and Commonwealth Games in the same sport.This is the perfect way to end 2022 ten years on from the magic of London 2012.”
Pre-sale tickets are available now via British Cycling
