Forming part of UK Sport's Gold Event Series, which aims to bring 70 world class events to the country by 2019, the Track Championships, which are due to be staged between February 24 and 28, will also be a great opportunity for the public to show their support for Britain's cyclists in the final stage of the Olympic qualification process for Rio 2016.

The bid to host the Championships, a partnership between British Cycling, UK Sport, London Legacy Development Corporation, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, London & Partners and the Mayor of London, had begun last year and was revealed first by insidethegames.

Sir Chris Hoy celebrates winning a record sixth Olympic gold medal in the Velodrome at London 2012

It is the latest major event to be awarded to a venue built in London for last year's Games following the decision to award the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships to the Olympic Stadium in 2017 and the 2016 European Swimming Championships to the Aquatics Centre.

"This is another great coup for British sport and a real legacy from London 2012," said Britain's Sports Minister Hugh Robertson.

"The capital's Velodrome is a stunning, world-leading venue and I am sure the 2016 Track World Championships will have capacity crowds supporting our best cyclists ahead of the Rio Games.

"UK Sport's Gold Event Series is helping to cement this country's reputation as a leading destination to host the biggest events in world sport."

It will be the first time that the Championships, which were first held in Chicago in 1893, have taken place in London for 112 years.

They last took place in London at Crystal Palace in 1904.

"This is absolutely fantastic news for London, marking the arrival of yet another thrilling world class sporting fixture to our city," said London Mayor Boris Johnson.

"These prestigious Championships will be centred around our stunning Olympic Velodrome, a remarkable venue that saw such awe-inspiring performances from British cyclists last summer. Interest in cycling is rocketing in this city and I've no doubt London's 2016 Track World Championships help will propel this even further."

It will be the eighth time the event has been held in Britain.

The first time was at Celtic Park in Glasgow in 1897.

Since then it has taken place in London in 1904, Leicester in 1970 and 1982 and Manchester in 1996, 2000 and 2008, when Britain dominated the event, winning nine of the 18 gold medals, including three for Sir Bradley Wiggins.

Mark Cavendish (foreground) handing over to Bradley Wiggins, on their way to winning gold in the Madison at the 2008 Track World Championships in Manchester

The Velodrome at Lee Valley Velo Park is currently undergoing transformation in preparation for its handover from the London Legacy Development Corporation to Lee Valley Regional Park Authority who will be responsible for the long term management of the facility for the people of London. 

"We are absolutely thrilled and honoured that the Velodrome has been chosen to host this prestigious international event," said Shaun Dawson, chief executive of the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.

"The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games were an inspiration to millions of people, and we are looking forward to welcoming back the athletes once again to our world-class venue for this event and hopefully witness more historical cycling triumphs.

"The success of this bid comes after the recent announcement that the grand finale of the elite track cycling event, Revolution Series, will also take place at the velodrome in March 2014, marking Lee Valley VeloPark as an important venue for high profile events.

"Both events will be an opportunity for the public to show their support for Great Britain's cyclists in the final stage of the Olympic qualification process for Rio 2016."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
July 2012: Sports Minister confident London bid for 2016 World Track Cycling Championships will succeed
May 2012: Exclusive - London on track to bid for 2016 World Cycling Championships at Olympic Park Velodrome