Herne Hill to stage major international

Legendary velodrome draws GB and world talents with new UCI event

- Tom Davidson

The storied Herne Hill Velodrome in South London will welcome a brand new two-day track event next month, with an international field set to race.

The South London Grand Prix, which is scheduled for 20-21 July, will be the first UCI-registered event at the velodrome in almost a decade, and marks 75 years since the venue hosted the 1948 Olympic Games.

Iain Cook, the event organiser and former BC coach, told Cycling Weekly that the idea came last September. “We’ve wanted to bring back high-level racing to Herne Hill for a long time,” he said. “The week after Fred [Wright] came and rode the track league just off the back of the Tour de France was better than normal racing is. So we thought, ‘Why don’t we get some big names here and see what happens?’”

Across the two days, there will be events for elite and junior men and women, including Madison, omnium and keirin races. The organisers are hoping to attract a world-class field.

“Riders should be a mix of riders on GB squads, riders from other countries and local amateurs having a go against some of the pros,” Cook said. “It’s nice to give the older riders that opportunity to do it at their home track, and the younger ones that inspiration of seeing what top-level looks like, a little closer to home.”