Manchester ready for World Records

The track at the Manchester Velodrome has been declared ready to accept claims for any World Records set during this weeks UCI Track Cycling World Championships, on March 26 - 30. The new track surface was laid in June last year and was recently measured to ensure it complied with the UCI requirements. The track was scanned using specialist equipment to create a computer model which accurately measured the black datum line which marks the edge of the track.

There are a number of timed events during the five day championships where records could be set. These include the individual and team pursuit races plus the shorter distance time trials.

The newest event on the championships programme is the women’s 3,000m team pursuit. The race debuted in this year’s World Cup series where the Ukrainian team set the fastest time so far of 3.27.438 in Los Angeles. There are a number of teams who have the credentials to go faster and a new record is expected to be claimed in Manchester.

Chris Boardman’s World Record of 4 minutes 11.114 seconds for the 4,000m individual pursuit has stood for 12 years. Britain’s Bradley Wiggins is getting closer to this time. He won the gold medal in last year’s World Championships in 4 min 15.976. He would have to find around a third of a second per lap to reach Boardman’s time which was set using the now banned 'Superman' position.