Cycling's world governing body Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) have been awarded a round of the 2012-2013 UCI Track World Cup series.

Taking place between November 16 and 18, 2012, just a few weeks after the Velodrome is officially opened in October, the event is a qualifying competition for the 2013 World Championships.

Five Olympic Champions, including Sir Chris and Victoria Pendleton competed for Britain at the World Cup in February, which was held in the new Velodrome that has been built for London 2012, and the Glasgow event will give fans the first opportunity to see some of the top stars in action after the Olympics. 

Besides being a sign that Glasgow is preparing itself for the Commonwealth Games, it will also help promote the city's bid to host the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics. 

"Glasgow's position as one of the world's leading sporting cities has been built on a record of hosting international events and investing in world-class infrastructure," said Gordon Matheson, the Leader of Glasgow City Council. 

"That reputation will continue to grow when the world's top cyclists compete in the UCI Track Cycling World Cup at the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome in November, in what will be the first major event to be staged in the venue."


Paul Bush, the chief operating officer for EventScotland, welcomed the announcement. 

"It is testament to Scotland's credentials as a major events destination that we have secured the Track World Cup for Glasgow, which will bring the best riders in the world to the new Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome," he said.

"Scotland is the perfect stage for major international events and the new venue will undoubtedly contribute to our existing cycling portfolio, while making a significant contribution to the legacy of hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games."

The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, which is being built by Sir Robert McAlpine, is named in honour of Scotland's most successful gold medal winning Olympian and Commonwealth Games champion.

Its 250 metre track has been designed by Ralph Schuermann, one of the world's foremost track designers.

It has permanent viewing capacity of 2,500 and will have an additional 2,000 temporary seats for Glasgow 2014.

"We're delighted that Glasgow's Sir Chris Hoy velodrome will host a round of the 2012 Track World Cup," said Brian Cookson, the President of British Cycling. 

"After a successful event in London this year, we're pleased to see another world-class facility in the UK christened with a round of this prestigious series.

"The awarding of this event is a great endorsement by the world governing body for the high standards our team at British Cycling have set in the delivery of major international events, and we hope this World Cup will be a fantastic pre-cursor to the city hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2014."

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