Special Report

Olympic velodrome nearing completion

By Alicia Camphuisen

With less than four weeks to go until scheduled completion on November 9, the track of the Dunc Gray Velodrome, that will be used for the Sydney Olympic Games, is taking definite shape.

The velodrome's construction manager, Ron Webb

Like the velodromes in Perth, Adelaide and Launceston, and the demountable track used at the Atlanta Olympics, the surface of this permanent AUS$41 million velodrome is entirely made of timber. The trusses, sourced from northern New South Wales, were constructed several weeks ago, and this week the track boards, made from imported Baltic Pine, were laid up to the fence line. The 250 metre track is 42 degrees in the bends, and 12 and a half degrees in the straights.

The velodrome is named after Dunc Gray, who became the first Australian cyclist to take a gold medal at an Olympic Games when he won the 1 km time trial at the 1932 Los Angeles Games. He subsequently became a national icon and ambassador for the sport, and when he passed away last year SOCOG has sought to obtain from his family the bike on which he won gold, to mount in a glass case in the building.

The 5800-capacity velodrome, which began construction in May 1998, is located in Bankstown, 20 minutes from the main Homebush Olympic site. It is the 58th such construction by ex-patriot Australian Ron Webb, who oversaw the completion of the Perth, Adelaide and Launceston velodromes, and is managing the construction of the velodrome to be used in the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.

The track will be tested in December, with the Oceana International Cycling GP, incorporating the Oceania Cycling Championship. Teams from Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Germany, Italy, Poland, France and Spain will compete on the new track for the GP, in addition to the Oceanic countries that compete in the championship. The National Titles will also be held at the velodrome early next year.

UCI president, Hein Verbruggen in front of the velodrome

The velodrome has deliberately been designed to become part of the Sydney cycling scene after the Olympics. Its facilities include a restaurant and bar, and an 800 metre criterium circuit adjacent to the building. The Bankstown Sports and Cycling Association, which will manage the velodrome after next September, is expected to lobby to host the 2002 Junior World Titles there, and promote the track as a general hub of Oceania events.