Geraint Thomas National Velodrome facts for kids
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Wales National Velodrome
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Entrance
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| Location | Velodrome Way, Newport NP19 4RB |
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| Capacity | 500 |
| Opened | 2003 |
The Geraint Thomas National Velodrome is a special indoor sports building in Newport, South Wales. It's a place where people ride bikes very fast on a special track! Before 2018, it was known as the Wales National Velodrome. This exciting sports center is part of the Newport International Sports Village.
A Velodrome is a track built just for cycling. This one has a 250-meter track made of Siberian pine wood. It's covered, so cyclists can train and compete no matter the weather. Besides the main track, the velodrome also has other cool facilities. These include a dance studio, a room for lifting weights, and a fitness area. It's a great place for athletes to get strong and practice.
The velodrome can hold up to 500 people who want to watch the races. It's also the main office for Welsh Cycling, which is the group that helps organize cycling across Wales. A special club for young cyclists, the Newport Velo Youth Cycling Club, also calls this place home.
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Outdoor Cycling Fun
Right next to the main velodrome, there's an outdoor track for cycle speedway. This is another type of bike racing where riders compete on a dirt track. The Newport Cycle Speedway Club practices and races here. It's a different kind of cycling challenge!
Training Ground for Champions
This velodrome is very important for top cyclists. The British track cycling team has used it many times to get ready for the Summer Olympics. They trained here before the 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024 Olympic Games. It shows how good the facilities are for world-class athletes.
Honoring a Cycling Hero
In August 2018, the velodrome was given a new name to honor a famous Welsh cyclist, Geraint Thomas. He became the first Welsh person and the third British cyclist ever to win the Tour de France in 2018. Renaming the velodrome after him was a way to celebrate his amazing achievement and inspire young riders.
Hosting National Competitions
The Geraint Thomas National Velodrome has also hosted big cycling events. It was the venue for the British National Track Championships in both 2022 and 2023. These championships bring together the best track cyclists from across Britain to compete for national titles.
See also
In Spanish: Velódromo Nacional de Gales para niños
- List of cycling tracks and velodromes
