Rising track cycling stars Emily Kay and Dannielle Khan have joined forces to celebrate 21 years of British success at Manchester’s velodrome.
The pair, also 21, weren’t born when building work started but both admit to being inspired by the history of arguably the most successful British sports facility ever.
It’s 21 years since the UCI world championships were first staged at the venue – and in that time, British cyclists have stormed to 60 golds, 31 silvers and 27 bronze medals on its boards.
And that figure could be set to rise when world-class track action returns to Manchester from November 10 to 12, when the TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup visits the home of British Cycling.
Fans can look forward to enjoying a showcase of some of the best track racing on the planet, featuring a host of international heroes including Olympic and world champions, as well as the next generation of cycling stars – possibly including the likes of Kay and Khan.
Emily Kay said: “It’s a special venue for me because this is where I first rode on a velodrome. There’s a picture of me on the wall here when I was about eight in a Great Britain jersey and flowery socks. It’s quite funny that I’ve gone full circle and now I’m back here as a full-time athlete.
“We travel all over the world when we race in velodromes, but nothing compares to racing at home, and to have your family and friends there, watching you and supporting you. They don’t get to watch us too often and that’s amazing.
“The history is all around the velodrome, so it is a very special place.”
Dannielle Khan said: “I just feel extremely lucky to be training here daily in a world-class facility, having everything an athlete needs under one roof is just fantastic.
“The likes of Sir Chris Hoy, Laura Kenny and Jason Kenny all train or trained here. For any athlete that’s so inspiring and it gets even more out of you in the gym or on the track. It’s just a fantastic facility.”
There have been so many highlights in 21 years of medal success in Manchester. Chris Boardman won the world pursuit title there in 1996 – and just a few months later famously beat the UCI World Hour Record.
Yvonne McGregor set the women’s UCI World Hour Record in 2000 and, two years later, Manchester successfully staged the Commonwealth Games, where Sir Chris Hoy topped an all-British podium in the kilometre time trial.
In 2008, just a few months before the Beijing Olympics, Britain won ten gold medals at the world championships – setting the standard for the Games that followed.
And it’s four years since the last TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup was staged in Manchester, when Britain’s women’s team pursuiters – riding as a quartet for first time – set a new world record.
Tickets for the TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup are available from Ticketmaster by clicking here.
