Cyclists Must Prepare for Unknown at Rio 2016 Velodrome

(ATR) After the Olympic velodrome test event was scrapped, there are concerns that few international cyclists will use a training session opportunity to experience the track before the Rio Games.

On Thursday, Rio 2016 abandoned plans for the late April test event – already postponed from March – due to ongoing delays with the installation of the track.

ATR is told that the German timber arrived several weeks ago but the lack of a functioning air-conditioning system led to unsuitable climate conditions to install the track; temperature and humidity have an affect on the wood.

The UCI has been told that track installation is beginning. It will take a few weeks to install. Rio 2016 has revised the completion date of the velodrome to May 31.

A training session on the new track will be open to athletes on June 25-27. The UCI will promote the event to its national federations in an attempt to encourage them to send athlete delegations to Rio to get a feel for the venue and competition conditions. The international federation will tell them it’s the only opportunity for cyclists to test the track before the Games.

But with just seven weeks to the opening of the Olympics, it would be unlikely that many international cyclists will disrupt their training camps to attend.

The lack of a test event is being seen as a major frustration by the UCI and cyclists.

Cycling federation president Brian Cookson expressed concerns about the test event at the track cycling world championships in London earlier this month.

"It would be very regrettable not to have a test event," he said. "It’s not impossible to have Olympic track racing without a test event, but it’s not desirable; it makes it harder for everybody."

Cookson said there was "no plan B" if the Rio velodrome was not ready.

"I have no doubt there will be a velodrome ready and functional to the required standards for the Olympic Games. There is no alternative," he said.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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