UCI World Cycling Centre’s satellite inaugurated in India

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and its development and training arm, the UCI World Cycling Centre (UCI WCC), are delighted to announce the launch of a satellite centre in New Delhi, India. The new facilities will be centered at the New Delhi velodrome, part of the Indira Ghandi Sports Complex, which is a legacy of the 2010 Commonwealth Games and host of the 2015 Asia Track Cup. The goals of the satellite, which houses the Track National Team of India, include the establishment of a world class team in time for the 2019 UCI Track Cycling World Championships and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The best athletes of the Track National Team of India will be invited to the UCI WCC in Aigle, Switzerland, to perfect their skills. More than just an athlete training centre, the satellite will create and develop a High Performance structure that will operate at all levels, from talent detection, to the coaching of Juniors through to Elite level. It will also focus on coach education, mechanics training and the development of administrative, technical and medical staff. Welcoming trainees from 2016, the satellite centre will also start talent identification for neighbouring countries as well. India’s satellite centre is UCI WCC’s fourth venue along with Japan, South Korea and South Africa. Brian Cookson President of the UCI said: “By launching satellite centres such as the one in Delhi we are providing a huge boost for the growth and development of cycling worldwide, which was one of my major pledges when I was running for the UCI presidency. The range of benefits that this facility will bring to India and South Asia, ranging from talent identification to elite level coaching, will have a significant impact on cycling in the region. “With the creation of this wonderful centre, we are also helping ensure a sustainable legacy for the velodrome after the 2010 Commonwealth Games. All of this has been possible thanks to the collaboration between the UCI WCC, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) and we hope the new facility can become a world class cycling hub for years to come.” UCI WCC Director Frédéric Magné added: “Although the UCI WCC in Switzerland remains our main training centre, we’re also expanding our network of satellite centres across different continents. These centres are a very important link between the UCI WCC and talented athletes worldwide. With this new venue, I am confident that Delhi will become a cycling hub for athletes from India and across the region.”