There will be national championship track racing at the Burnaby Velodrome this weekend.
The Canadian junior and under-17 cadet cycling championships will be held in collaboration with Cycling B.C. and the Burnaby Velodrome Club for a full weekend of high-performance track riding under the dome from Friday to Sunday.
The three days of racing will include a full program of Olympic sprint and endurance events for Canada’s up-and-coming young men and women riders, including keirin, individual and team sprint and pursuit, Madison and overall omnium racing.
The Barnet Drive velodrome was chosen as the venue for the junior nationals after the completion date for the scheduled track in Milton, Ont. was delayed.
The Burnaby Velodrome played host to the junior nationals back in 2009, when the u-17 division was first offered.
“It’s like a homecoming,” said event organizer and velodrome program director Kelyn Akuna.
It is also a testatment to the growth in the junior ranks in Canada, with more riders registered at these nationals than in the past five years, Akuna added.
Considered one of the most exciting cycle tracks in North America because of its short, 200-metre distance and steep 47-degree banking, the Burnaby track offers spectators a more intimate and thrilling perspective than larger, outdoor ovals.
“It’s a dry run for us for our 4Day, which is coming up in December. But our big focus is our youth programs that run every Monday and Wednesday,” Akuna said.
Racing is scheduled to start on Friday, beginning at 2 p.m.
Saturday racing sessions begin at 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday finals also begin at 9:30 a.m.
Admission is $5.
