Victoria's first closed crit circuit announced

In Australia, Victoria's first closed-circuit racing and training facility purpose-built for road cyclists was announced today.

A joint initiative between BASE (Bicycle Association of the South East) and Recreation Victoria/City of Casey, Premier Steve Bracks honoured his pledge of $500,000 towards this project with The City of Casey contributing another $250,000. The criterium circuit will be built as part of the new Casey Fields Sports Complex near Cranbourne on the Berwick-Cranbourne Road.

"Australian road and track cyclists are achieving enormous success on the world stage and especially in Europe," said a statement. "It is facilities like this new criterium circuit that will enable Australian cyclists to remain at the forefront of world cycling. With the opening of Casey Fields, cyclists now have a place to learn, train and race all at the one facility. When combined with the other outstanding indoor velodromes provided by the State government, cycling in Victoria is truly On the Move."

While the Casey Fields circuit is being built, cyclists will continue to use the existing circuits at Sandown Park Raceway and AFL Park Waverly. It is said that wheelchair racing, human powered vehicles and inline skaters all stand to benefit from the project as well.