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London awarded 2016 track world championships

Great Britain won nine Olympic medals at the velodrome during London 2012 © PA Photos

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The London velodrome has been chosen to host the 2016 UCI track world championships, it was announced on Wednesday.

The UCI management committee made the decision at the current track world championships being held in Florence.

The velodrome was the scene of huge success at the 2012 Olympic Games, where Great Britain won nine medals. The championships will start on February 24 and will last for four days, culminating on February 28.

The event will also provide British athletes the a final chance to impress in front of a home crowd before the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

"Winning the bid to host the final track cycling world championships of the next Olympic cycle is important strategically for us, it's good for the current generation of athletes, but it's also an important tool for inspiring the next generation who will follow in their footsteps," British Cycling chief executive Ian Drake said.

"The events we've delivered over the last decade in the UK have rightly been regarded as world class but the delivery of a World Championships in this iconic venue will be the biggest task we've taken on to date."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson welcomed the announcement and stated the championships will help inspire a new generation of cyclists.

"This is absolutely fantastic news for London, marking the arrival of yet another thrilling world class sporting fixture to our city," Johnson said.

"These prestigious championships will be centred around our stunning Olympic velodrome, a remarkable venue that saw such awe-inspiring performances from British cyclists last summer. Interest in cycling is rocketing in this city and I've no doubt London's 2016 track world championships help will propel this even further."

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