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Venues-Laoshan Velodrome

Laoshan Velodrome: cathedral for cycling

Last Updated: Thursday, August 13, 2009 | 2:30 PM ET

Bernice Chan CBC Sports

A general view of Laoshan Velodrome in Beijing, China. Laoshan Veldrome hosts track cycling during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. (Cancan Chu/Getty Images)

A new cool venue built for the Olympics is the Laoshan Velodrome for the cycling track events this summer.

China’s first indoor cycling venue is located just within the fifth ring road on the west side of Beijing. From the outside it looks as though a giant flying saucer has landed on top of a cylindrical three-storey building.

The roof is supported by 24 V-shaped posts that the designers say symbolize victory, but really, the posts look more like a structural than a metaphorical decision. Nevertheless, cycling fans will have a field day checking not only the riders whizzing by, but also the venue itself.

Inside it’s an impressive sight – you don’t know whether to check out the slick wooden track below or the intricate ceiling above.

The top of the saucer-like roof has a large hole allowing a lot of natural light in, so that riders can train without using much electricity. In the evenings, the velodrome can be brightly illuminated with some 200 lights strung above. Either way, visitors are hypnotically drawn to it.

Ceiling imitates bike wheel

The Germany-based designers who specialize in cycling tracks say the circular ceiling is meant to imitate the look of a bike wheel, spokes and all, which explains the web-like design.

World Champion Great Britain compete in the team pursuit on the Laoshan Velodrome during the Track Cycling World Cup Classic in Beijing, 2007. (Peter Parks/Getty Images) Once your eyes adjust to the light, the 250m oval track below is a cool surface, built from wood from Siberian pine trees, known for being straight and tall.

The velodrome will hold 6,000 spectators for the Olympics

In early December, the UCI Track Cycling World Cup was held here as a test event for the upcoming Olympics. And Cycling Australia’s head coach had nothing but praise for the Laoshan Velodrome.

“It’s a cathedral for cycling,” said Martin Barras. “They have done an outstanding job on this venue and it is one of the best tracks I have ever seen. Once they complete the additional grandstand seating and fill it with people, I think the ambience in here in 2008 will be very, very special.”