The Detroit Fitness Foundation (DFF) has been selected by USA Cycling (USAC) to host the 2017 U.S. Cycling Madison National Championships at its indoor multisports complex, a 64,000 square foot project that is set to open by fall.
The women’s and men’s competitions will take place October 19 — 21, 2017. Cyclists will be given warmup and training time before participating in the qualifying rounds for the final competition. Gold, silver and bronze awards will be presented to winners after the final competition on October 21.
“USA Cycling is excited to bring our 2017 and 2018 U.S. Cycling Madison National Championships to the Detroit Fitness Foundation’s new Indoor Multi Sport Complex,” said Tom Mahoney, USAC National Events Manager. “We’re delighted to be a part of shining a spotlight on this new, world-class velodrome being built right here in the United States.”
USA Cycling is the governing body for Velodrome Track Cycling races in the United States. USAC is affiliated with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Union Cyclist International (UCI).
Having broke ground recently, let’s talk about the building.
Detroit’s new cycling velodrome will feature a steep, oval track and meets hosting facility requirements with its 166 meters of wood surface oval banked 15 degrees in the two straights and 50 degrees in the two turns. The indoor complex also includes run/walk/skating lanes, fitness class areas and a cafe with light food and drinks.
Here’s how the space will break down. 35 percent of space is for runners/walkers/skaters; 35% of space is for bicyclists; 20% of space is for multi fitness classes, conferences, coffee shop/café, etc. and 10% of the space is for restrooms, storage and offices.
The complex will be an air dome structure designed and built under the leadership of world-class velodrome developer Dale Hughes, and will house the second permanent indoor cycling velodrome in the United States.
Hughes, a lifetime resident of Metro Detroit, has designed and built more than 20 velodromes worldwide, including the 1996 Olympic Velodrome in Atlanta and the 2015 Pan Am Games Velodrome in Toronto.
Like Hughes’ own Olympic connections, Tolan Playfield has an Olympic heritage. The park was renamed in 1968 to honor Thomas Edward Tolan, a Cass Tech graduate. He’s the first African American who is a two-time Olympic Gold medalist.
In addition to the velodrome, the multisports complex will provide additional sporting and fitness opportunities, including many programs for local youth.