Torbay Velopark gets official launch at Cycling Festival

Torbay's new Velopark will get its first use at the Torbay Cycling Festival on Sunday June 1.

The £850,000 park is Devon and Cornwall's only closed-road cycling facility and includes changing rooms, bike hire, bike storage and a food/drink stall. The tarmac loop can be shortened to 0.5km from its full length of 1.5km depending on the event. British Cycling funded 50 per cent of the park's costs.

"We are committed to providing the best facilities we can, putting Torbay on the map for regional sports development and creating quality tourism facilities," said Torbay Council’s Executive Lead for Sport, Councillor Robert Excell.

"We want to attract the committed racer and members of the wider public alike who want to take part of cycling club activity. This regional centre for cycling is a great addition to Torbay’s sporting infrastructure, and really puts us on the map for cycling development as well as creating an exciting new facility for visitors and residents of Torbay who just want to come along and have fun."

The Torbay Cycling Festival takes place at the Torbay Velopark, Clennon Valley, Paignton, on Sunday, June 1, from 10am to 4pm during which time people are invited to try out the new track with a Sky Ride family event. Youth and women's races will be held during the day, plus Rollapaluza roller racing and other events.

After the opening of the facility at the festival, Torbay Council says that "Schools, clubs and individuals will be able to book the circuit through Torbay Council’s Booking office at the site or on the day of use. It will be used for competitive and recreational cycling and will enable young riders, who are not permitted to race on the road, the opportunity to compete."