First UCI WCC Continental Development Satellite in China inaugurated in Shanghai features BMX Track and BMX Park

May 20, 2024

Written by Bart de Jong

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The UCI World Cycling Centre (WCC) – the training and education centre of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) based in Aigle, Switzerland – is pleased to announce that its first Continental Development Satellite located in China was officially inaugurated today in Shanghai, in the presence, notably, of UCI President David Lappartient, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach and the President of the Chinese Olympic Committee and Director of China’s General Administration of Sports Gao Zhidan. The Shanghai Velodrome was awarded the UCI WCC Continental Development Satellite label by decision of the UCI Management Committee on 2 February this year. It is the ninth UCI WCC Satellite in the world and the fourth in Asia alongside those of Shuzenji (Japan), Yeongju (Korea) and New Delhi (India). The other Satellites are in South Africa (Paarl), Canada (Bromont), New Zealand (Cambridge), Portugal (Anadia) and Trinidad and Tobago (Couva).

The Shanghai UCI WCC Continental Development Satellite is located on Chongming Island, within a major multi-sport education and training centre created in 2019 and covering an area of almost 56 hectares. It includes a 250-metre indoor velodrome, a BMX Racing track, a BMX Freestyle park, training roads and a weights room. The centre also has athlete accommodation and a restaurant.

The Shanghai Velodrome will host the UCI Track World Championships in 2026, while Chongming Island is known in the cycling world for hosting the annual Tour of Chongming Island, a women's stage race that has been on the UCI Women's WorldTour calendar since 2017.

Contributing to the development of cycling in emerging cycling nations through their regional programmes and educational activities, the UCI WCC Continental Development Satellites are essential partners for the UCI WCC in its mission to develop athletes and train people destined for a career in cycling, for example as mechanics and coaches.

UCI President David Lappartient said: "With the inauguration of the first UCI WCC Continental Development Satellite on Chinese soil, a new era in the development of cycling in Asia and around the world has begun. The activities of this centre will stimulate the growth of cycling in this very important region of the world, and I am delighted by the support given to the programme by both IOC President Thomas Bach, and the President of the Chinese Olympic Committee and Director of China’s General Administration of Sport Gao Zhidan, who have both done us the honour of taking part in today's event.”

Also present in Shanghai, UCI WCC Director Jacques Landry said: “The opening of a UCI WCC Continental Development Satellite in China is a very welcome step for the development of cycling, not only in China, but also in the region and worldwide.China and Asia have the potential and the will to play an increasingly important role in cycling, and thisinfrastructure will certainly contribute to achieving that goal. The UCI welcomes the commitment to cycling demonstrated in China, a country with a population of 1.4 billion, which is almost one-sixth of the world's population.”

The President of the Chinese Cycling Association Cui Dalin said: “We are honored that Shanghai has been given the status of UCI World Cycling Centre Continental Development Satellite. With this new appointment, we will have the opportunity to greatly contribute to the growth of cycling in the region through education and athlete development initiatives in the disciplines of BMX Racing, BMX Freestyle, track and road, including para-cycling. There is so much growth potential in the region and we are grateful to have been chosen to assist in unlocking that potential.”

The President of the Shanghai Cycling Federation and Vice-President of the Chinese Cycling Association Wang Haiwei said: “We are pleased to be a member of UCI WCC Continental Development Satellite network. The establishment of a UCI WCC Continental Development Satellite in Shanghai opens a new chapter in the development of cycling in China and in Asia. It will help numerous Asian cyclists achieve their dreams of shining at the highest level, in particular at the Olympic Games. We are committed to ensuring that more athletes from the continent can rival the world’s best cyclists, by focusing on the development of talented young athletes from National Federations who wish to access high-level training in track, BMX Freestyle, BMX Racing and road. Our Satellite is also a platform to train coaches, mechanics and Commissaires.”