Rio organisers cancel cycling test event

Delays in the installation of the support structures for the building of the track led to the Rio 2016 Organising Committee, the IOC and UCI agreeing to postpone the planned test.

The Olympic velodrome in Rio.

Olympic Games organisers remain confident the Rio velodrome will be ready in time despite delays to the test event.

The velodrome event was scheduled to take place on April 30 and May 1, however, it has been replaced by a training opportunity on June 25-27.

Delays in the installation of the support structures for the building of the track led to the Rio 2016 Organising Committee, the IOC and UCI agreeing to postpone the planned test.

"We had some logistical problems, such as unloading the wood into the venue and to install containers and offices, and we realised that it was too close for us to make sure that the track was perfectly installed," said Rio 2016 executive director of communications Mario Andrada.

"It's always better to be safe than sorry. In this case, putting down the track in a hurry could cause a risk to the athletes so we took the tough decision. 

"We are 120 per cent confident that it will be ready for the Olympics.

"After we put the track together the internal parts will be painted, all the offices, all the details will be installed. The venue will be Games ready by 31 May."