The UCI World Cycling Centre (WCC) has extended its range of cycling facilities with the inauguration today of its new international-standard pump track at the centre in Aigle, Switzerland.
UCI President David Lappartient officially opened the track in the presence of UCI WCC trainee athletes, representatives of local and sporting authorities, staff of the UCI and UCI WCC, and members of the public.
Pump track was officially integrated into the UCI Regulations in 2018 and saw the first UCI World Championships for the speciality organised last year at the Swiss Bike Park in Köniz-Oberried, near Bern (Switzerland). More than 100 riders - who earned their starting place at one of 25 qualifying events held globally during the season - participated in the 2019 UCI Worlds. Americans Payton Ridenour and Tommy Zula won the first-ever rainbow jerseys awarded for pump track.
The UCI WCC’s new, entirely asphalted pump track has been built next to the existing pump track, which is a smaller, off-road model. Construction was carried out by pump track and trail building company Velosolutions.
The pump track provides an ideal terrain for high-level athletes to work on their technical skills, highlighted by the UCI WCC’s resident BMX and mountain bike trainees during a demonstration at the official opening. The UCI WCC’s pump tracks are also open to the public.
Mr Lappartient underlined the importance of the new track, which meets international standards that would enable it to host major competitions including the UCI World Championships for the speciality.
“A discipline in its own right, pump track is also a stepping-stone into cycling,” said the UCI President. “It is an educational, fun and inter-generational tool that appeals particularly to youngsters, whether they are from city centres, suburbs or rural areas.”
The new pump track adds to the UCI WCC’s facilities which also include a covered velodrome, BMX Racing track (Supercross and Challenge) and a BMX Freestyle park which was opened last November.
