First timbers laid at the London 2012 velodrome

The first sections of timber track have been laid at the London 2012 velodrome.

The venue is on target to be the first Olympic Park sporting venue to be completed early in 2011. The roof is now on and the building is watertight, which has allowed work to begin on the track.

The Olympic Delivery Authority says it’s aiming to create the world’s fastest cycling track by tailoring the slope and setting the best possible temperature and environmental conditions.

The track is being built from sustainably-sourced Siberian pine – specially selected because the trees are known for being straight and tall, making them suitable for the lengths of timber required.

The extreme Siberian climate means the timber is very stable and will not shrink or contract in the environmental conditions inside the venue.

After the Olympics, the 6,000-seat velodrome will be used by elite athletes and the local community and will include a café, bike hire and cycle workshop facilities.

If you want to stay right on top of how the building work’s going, you can view the progress being made on a London 2012 webcam.