The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is working with world-class contractors, architects and track designers in the sport, and has consulted with Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy to aim for the London 2012 Velodrome to have the fastest track ever, providing a world-class facility not just for the Games in 2012, but for the next generation of Hoy’s, Wiggins’ and Romero’s to train and compete on:
ODA Chairman John Armitt said: 'The success of our cyclists in Beijing and the growing popularity of cycling in the UK will help give us real momentum as we start construction work on the 2012 Velodrome. The start of construction work is a significant milestone in our plans to create a world-class cycling venue with a record-breaking track for events in 2012 and the legacy of first-class facilities to help create the next generation of Olympic champions.

'The Velodrome is the third sports venue on Olympic Park under construction and together with the wider cycling facilities to be built after the Games, this will be another world-class new venue for London.'

Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee, said: 'The success of our cyclists in Beijing and their medal hopes at this week’s world championships prove Britain leads the way in world cycling and deserves a world-class stage in 2012 so the start of work on time on a landmark new cycling venue for London is a significant milestone.

'Our Velodrome plans are driven by legacy and we are aiming for this to not only be a venue where records are broken and the British gold-rush continues in 2012, but a breeding-ground for new generation of cyclists of all ages and abilities.'

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: 'British cyclists delivered an exceptional haul of medals in Beijing last year and cycling continues to grow in popularity as more people get out of their cars and on to bikes.

'Today we've witnessed the start of construction of what, with the help of Sir Chris Hoy who helped design the Velodrome, we hope will be the fastest track in the world for London 2012, helping Olympic and Paralympic cyclists better their awe-inspiring performances last summer. But more than that, I am proud that after the Games thousands of people will be able to test their skills and simply enjoy themselves on the road, track, and BMX courses that will be left in legacy, perhaps inspiring our next generation of elite cyclists like Shanaze Reade or Bradley Wiggins.'

Shaun Dawson, Chief Executive of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA) which will own and operate the VeloPark in legacy, said: 'This marks another milestone for the Velodrome and what will become a fantastic resource for London and the South East after
2012. Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will own and manage the legacy VeloPark which will include a reconfigured BMX course, a new one mile road circuit and mountain bike trails.  It will become a cycling hub for the local community and the region; where schoolchildren, clubs, groups and elite riders can train, race or just simply cycle for fun adding yet another first class sports venue to the range of world class sporting facilities to be found in the Lee Valley Regional Park.'

Charles Johnston, Sport England’s Property Director, said: 'Our investment in the VeloPark will help secure a lasting sporting legacy for track and road cyclists, mountain bikers and BMX riders of all ages and abilities. The creation of these world-class cycling facilities will attract more people to this fast-growing sport and provide opportunities for those with talent to fulfil their potential.'

Janet Paraskeva, Chair of the Olympic Lottery Distributor said: 'National Lottery funding is making a significant contribution to the building of the Olympic Park. With the success of British cycling at the Beijing Games it is appropriate Lottery players’ money is funding not just a world-class centre for cycling but also a great community resource for the future, encouraging our cyclists of tomorrow.'

ISG CEO David Lawther said: 'After months of thorough planning the construction team is delighted to now be focussed on the physical delivery of the world’s fastest Velodrome. We all look forward to seeing the Velodrome take shape as each programme milestone is reached in the run-up to 2012.'

Hopkins Architects Director Mike Taylor said: 'Now that construction has started everyone involved in the design is eagerly anticipating seeing the Velodrome rise from the ground and take its place in the rapidly changing skyline of the Olympic Park where hopefully the distinctive form of the Velodrome will become a recognisable landmark for cyclists in London. We are currently working hard on the internal details to try and create the fastest track in the world for 2012 and future generations of cyclists.'

The 6,000 seat Velodrome will host the Olympic and Paralympic indoor track cycling events in 2012, and be used by elite athletes and the local community after the Games. The legacy Velodrome will include a café, bike hire and cycle workshop facilities and the venue design includes a 360 degree concourse level offering fantastic views over the Olympic Park, and out to the London skyline.

The Velodrome is being built on the site of the former West Ham tip. The challenging ground conditions mean that work is now underway to install a complex network of more than 900 piles driven up to 26 metres beneath the ground to form the foundations of the venue.

1 - Sport England

2 - Association of Cycle Traders http://cycles.actsmart.biz/news/cycle-shops-weather-economic-storm.php

3 - Transport for London http://cycles.actsmart.biz/news/cycle-shops-weather-economic-storm.php

4 - Manchester Velodrome www.manchestervelodrome.com

Notes to editors:

Images of construction work on the Velodrome site along with the latest VeloPark design images can be downloaded.

The 6,000-seat Velodrome will host the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic indoor track cycling events as well as a BMX circuit for Olympic events. After the Games, a road cycle circuit and mountain bike course will be added to create a legacy VeloPark that will combine cycling facilities across all disciplines in one cycling ‘hub’.

The design team for the VeloPark is made up of Hopkins Architects, Expedition Engineering, BDSP and Grant Associates, who were appointed in 2007 following a design competition judged by leading names from the world of architecture and design as well as Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy.

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For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 700.

The construction of the venues and infrastructure of the London 2012 Games is funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency.

Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog.

• The Velodrome designers, Hopkins Architects, are working closely with track designers to tailor the track geometry and set the temperature and environmental conditions within the venue to create a record-breaking track.
• The venue is being designed to create the best possible crowd atmosphere in the 6,000-capacity venue to help maximise the performance of cyclists and aim to give Team GB a home advantage in 2012.
• The Velodrome is being constructed by ISG who were also responsible for replacing the track at the Manchester Velodrome which led to the British team securing nine gold medals at the World Cycling Championships last year.

• Over half a million more people are taking part in sport since London won the 2012 bid with cycling the second fastest growing sport in the country (Sport England - 1)
• Bike sales are bucking the credit-crunch with cycle shops still enjoying growing sales since the economic downturn and Cycle to Work scheme sales doubling in 2008 (Association of Cycle Traders - 2)
• The ‘cycling renaissance’ has seen a 91 per cent increase in the number of cyclists on London’s roads since 2000 with an estimated half a million cycle journeys everyday (Transport for London - 3)
• The 2012 Velodrome has the perfect success model to follow – Manchester Velodrome opened in 1994 and has become the busiest Velodrome in the world, with an over-subscribed track programme producing 40,000 rides per year for all riders - novice to elite, from nine years to 79 years (Manchester Velodrome - 4)