By Tom Degun

Sir Chris_Hoy_Velodrome_22_AugustAugust 22 -The first event at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome this November has sold out completely in just 25 minutes despite organisers increasing seating capacity due to demand.

The venue (pictured top), which will stage the track cycling competition at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, will be officially opened in October before its first competition in the form of the UCI Track World Cup Glasgow from November 16 until 18.

The 250-metre track, designed by Ralph Schüermann, has a permanent viewing capacity of 2,500 plus an additional 2,000 temporary seats but the temporary seats were not set to be used before the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

However, they were added due to overwhelming demand for the event following the huge pre-sale for British Cycling members and the remaining tickets for the general public were snapped up in less than half an hour when they went on sale at 11am today.

It comes following Britain's success in cycling at the London 2012 Olympics where Team GB won an astonishing 12 medals, eight of which were gold.

"We always expected demand for tickets to be high for the Track Cycling World Cup but to sell out all but one session in just under an hour is a fantastic result and shows just why we are one of the world's leading destinations for sporting events," said the Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games Councillor Archie Graham.

Jason Kenny_22_AugustTeam GB star Jason Kenny (leading) is due to race at the UCI Track World Cup meeting in Glasgow

"We now can't wait for the action to get underway and for the world's best cyclists to take to the track at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome for the first time."

Once final venue capacity is confirmed and competitor numbers known, a handful of tickets may yet be released closer to the event and these are sure to be hotly sought after.

The event itself is set to see over 200 of the world's best riders from over 30 nations competing in the UK for the first time since the Olympics – including British London 2012 gold medal winners Jason Kenny, Laura Trott and Dani King.

"With the profile of British cycling on an all-time high after the Olympics in London we were always confident that we'd fill the venue in Glasgow for the first international track cycling event in the UK after the Games," said cycle sport and membership director of British Cycling Jonny Clay.

"However, the response this morning exceeded our own expectations and it's clear that the sport will get a huge welcome in Glasgow later this year.

"We hope to reward their enthusiasm for the sport with a great event to celebrate the new venue in Glasgow, and for those who've missed out, we'll have coverage on the BBC to ensure that the widest possible audience see the venue in action."

Sir Chris_Hoy_1_22_AugustSir Chris Hoy has opted out of the UCI Track World Cup event at the velodrome named after him

A minor blow to the event, however, is that Sir Chris Hoy himself will not be competing.

The 36-year-old revealed he is taking a short break after securing two London 2012 gold medals in the keirin and team sprint, making him the most successful British Olympian ever with an overall tally of six Olympic gold medals and a silver.

However, rumours are growing that Sir Chris will officially open the venue in October and he will almost certainly compete there for Scotland at the 2014 Commonwealth Games before retiring.

The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome forms part of the £113 million ($177 million/€144 million) Commonwealth Arena close to Celtic Park in the East End of Glasgow, and will soon become the headquarters of sportscotland and Scottish Cycling.

The indoor arena adjacent to the velodrome, which will host badminton at Glasgow 2014, will have 5,000 seats.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
August 2012: Seating capacity increased at Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome after pre-sale sell out first event
August 2012: Tickets go on sale for first event at Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow