Cookson concerned over Rio test event

Work on the venue has been delayed and Cookson fears there is a danger the test event due to be staged between April 29-May 1 could be postponed.

UCI president Brian Cookson.

International Cycling Union (UCI) president Brian Cookson has expressed concern that a test event for the Olympic Games will not take place because the velodrome in Rio may not be ready in time.

Work on the venue has been delayed and Cookson fears there is a danger the test event due to be staged between April 29-May 1 could be postponed.

"We are assured by the Rio organising committee that the dates 29th April to 1st of May will still be deliverable but I think that's a challenge," said Cookson. "I understand that the contractors are on site now with timber and everything is ready to roll. They might have started in the last 24 hours."

He added: "You have to be assured when you're putting in Siberian timber that the conditions in there are absolutely perfect. The air conditioning needs to be in place and operational, the moisture control, the dampness needs to be under control because the last thing we want when the track is built is the timber going in and warping and bending."

"I have no doubt there will be a velodrome ready and functional to the required standards for the Olympic Games. The contingency plan is to have the Olympic Games in Rio and to have a track ready and finished. There is no alternative. That's the straight answer."