Forget wood, concrete or asphalt, the world\u2019s first aluminium velodrome has officially been unveiled in Tucson, Arizona.<\/p>\n
The open-air track, which took 26 months to construct, is built to Olympic<\/a> standards, measuring 250m and with a 42-degree banking.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Its unique material was chosen to withstand the hot temperatures of the Arizona desert, where it can exceed 100\u00b0F (38\u00b0C) during the summer. Aluminium is highly durable, weather-resistant, and unlikely to suffer surface degradation, such as cracking or warping, in the heat.<\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a little bit otherworldly. It\u2019s very satisfying,\u201d Douglas Lowell, one of the velodrome\u2019s builders, told 13 News<\/a> during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday.<\/p>\n \u201cIt makes for a wonderful ride. It\u2019s very smooth in a unique way for a 42-degree Olympic-type track.\u201d<\/p>\n Tucson\u2019s new velodrome is now one of five 250m tracks in the United States. The other four are located in Erie, Colorado; Rock Hill, South Carolina; Carson, California; and Los Angeles, where the Olympics will be held in 2028.<\/p>\n The project is said to have cost $5 million<\/a>, and was funded by private donations. It is situated on a plot by the Musselman Honda Circuit, a go-kart track southeast of Tucson.<\/p>\n Masters track rider Karl Baumgart was one of the first people to ride on the aluminium velodrome. Also speaking to 13 News, he said: \u201cI\u2019ve been lucky enough to be on some world-class tracks, you know, travelling the globe, and this track is up there with the best of them.\u201d<\/p>\n Tucson\u2019s velodrome was designed by Canadian Peter Junek, who has worked in the industry since 1990 and has helped create more than 30 tracks around the world, including the high-altitude velodrome in Aguascalientes<\/a>, Mexico, a rider favourite for record-setting<\/a>.<\/p>\n A media release from Tucson Velodrome Inc., the group behind the project, read: “In addition to attracting professional and Olympic-class athletes to Tucson for training and racing activities, the velodrome will be a controlled place for all cyclists to ride, promoting health and fitness.<\/p>\n “Youth and school programs will be held to introduce youngsters to the community of cycling, allowing them to enjoy riding bicycles in a safe facility with trained and certified coaches and instructors.”<\/p>\n Explore More<\/p>\n