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Newbie track cyclists end up in hospital after crash at beginner class at Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome

Cuts, bruises, a broken collarbone - and a chunk ripped out of the boards

Three cyclists have been taken to hospital after they crashed having a beginner's session at the new Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow.

One broke a collarbone, and repairs have had to be made to the track in the wake of the crash, even though the facility only opened last month.

A spokesman told the Daily Record: “Anyone who uses the track must be fully accredited and undergo extensive training from a fully qualified coach before they are allowed on.

“We have had 5000 members of the public use the track in the last three months and only three needed hospital treatment.

“Every session is supervised and safety is paramount.

“The cost of the repairs was only a few pounds.”

The 5000-seater facility sits in the grounds of the Emirates National Indoor Sports Arena, which can host athletics, basketball, gymnastics and badminton. It cost £113million to build.

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12 comments

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julian1960 | 12 years ago
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Whats new / At every newbie session on the track usually ends with a few cuts and sometimes a broken bone or two.

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zanf | 12 years ago
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This is one of the main arguments for keeping open and maintaining the older outdoor velodromes to train up youngsters and track cycling novices.

Herne Hill, for instance, is a 450 metre loop with a maximum 30°, rather than the 250 metre, 45° bank of the Sir Chris Hoy & the Olympic park stadium.

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FMOAB replied to zanf | 12 years ago
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Glasgow also has a great 400 meter tarmac outdoor track at Bellahouston Park. It's only banked by a few degrees, but offers an opportunity to get used to a track bike and learn some basic skills before moving on to the velodrome. I don't think it's used to anywhere near its full potential though.

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mcj78 replied to FMOAB | 12 years ago
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FMOAB wrote:

Glasgow also has a great 400 meter tarmac outdoor track at Bellahouston Park. It's only banked by a few degrees, but offers an opportunity to get used to a track bike and learn some basic skills before moving on to the velodrome. I don't think it's used to anywhere near its full potential though.

It's used plenty, however that's mostly by circuit classes from the sports centre & joggers who can't be arsed to run the 2.5k round the park - I pass it often & can't remember ever seeing anyone near it on a track bike, to be honest I thought it was an running track  39

I do fancy a shot over at the velodrome though  4

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LorneC | 12 years ago
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Great to read this ahead of my Accred 1 course this weekend.  1

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Farky | 12 years ago
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5000 users in 3 months!?

Thats like 55 a day if its used every single day. WOW...or over estimation?

This is NOT NEWS, NEWS.

Its like reporting.....'Car accident on the road during peak time'!

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notfastenough | 12 years ago
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That reminds me, I need to get signed up for a taster session.  1

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miffed | 12 years ago
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Not being picky but that's not really a news story. Track cycling is a bit dangerous, inexperienced riders fall off and sometimes hurt themselves. shock.

My friend was one of the first to fall in accreditation and end up in hospital. Chris hoy sent her a tweet hoping she was alright and not discouraged.

Also the track is full of scuff marks and repaired areas. I thought that would be normal for a highly used track.

If it wasn't a bit dangerous it wouldn't be as fun.

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Al__S replied to miffed | 12 years ago
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There were some pretty huge crashes in the World Cup event- no velodrome is going to remain pristine for long.

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Swami Dave replied to miffed | 12 years ago
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miffed wrote:

My friend was one of the first to fall in accreditation and end up in hospital.

I think I was in your friend's crash session - clipped wheels with another girl and split her forehead? It was a hell of a crash. Hope she's OK and not put off.

The numbers don't surprise me. Anyone who's tried to book the velodrome for accreditation sessions will know that there's a good 2 week wait for some sessions. I'd highly recommend it though.

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FMOAB | 12 years ago
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Pepita, as with the Emirates Stadium etc that's modern sponsorship for you. It's hard to argue with £5m for 10 years of naming rights. That said, I'm sure the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome within the complex would have been an attractive sponsorship proposition for the major bike companies, but instead was named after a sporting hero.

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pepita1 | 12 years ago
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Emirates National???!!!

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