News: First Major Event at Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome

Thunder Drome Track Open a scorching success as crowds turn out to watch Sir Chris at the track that bears his name

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The new Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome saw a star studded crowd turn up to watch the Olympic hero, Sir Chris Hoy, race in front of a capacity crowd. Sean Kelly, Greame Obree, Rob Hayles, Stephen Roche, Roger Hammond, David Millar, Dan Martin, Downing brothers, Tour of Britain winner Jonathan Tiernan-Locke, Tour of Britain organiser Mick Bennett, Andy Fenn, Dan Lloyd and so so many more were in the track centre while the seats outside the track were also full with fans there to see the Scottish heros.

With Tour Series MC Joe Fisher doing a great job with the crowd including the awesome slow motion Mexican wave, the event saw flames being thrown into the air around the track to heat up the action event more during a three hour slot of racing that saw both sprint and endurance action. Sir Chris was beaten by a rider he grew up with in Team GB, Craig MacLean in the sprint while Jason Queally was awesome in the Keirin won by Hoy. Germany’s Robert Förstemann beat youngster Kian Emadi in the sprint.

A highlight of the ThunderDrome was the unveiling of the new kit for the NetApp-Endura Equipe team for 2013 with riders from Endura Racing and NetApp.

Sir Chris Hoy explained exclusively to VeloUK during the session “It’s a massive thrill being here. A huge privilege to have a place named after you and to come into the stadium with your name on it is something I never thought I’d see. It’s an amazing day, great crowd, amazing atmosphere and an even better facility.”

Sir Chris didn’t boss the action like he does the Olympics and explained “I have been on the track three or four times at Manchester before this post Olympics. On the day’s off I’ve had, I’ve come and trained which shows how keen I am to do things on the bike. It does kill the legs when you haven’t been on the track but it’s been great fun here!”

Rob Hayles came out of retirement to have a go on the boards again and didn’t he do well….

“It’s been like having the old team back together. Racing Craig there was like the old days and sadly, it was like the old days because he beat me as well but it’s lovely having them all here. The guys have travelled from Germany, Poland and Czech Republic for an event where there is no appearance money, no prize money – it’s been just for the fun of racing and we’re all having a great time and even more tonight at the Braveheart dinner.

Sir Chris was there with his family and the BBC were there recording the action. Scottish papers too were out in force to report on the first major event at a venue which will no doubt help Scotland produce even more great track riders. The next World Cup will be at the venue.