U.S. Cycling Madison National Championships Coming to Midtown Detroit in October

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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 multi-sports complex, which is set to open in the fall.

The women’s and men’s competitions will take place Oct. 19-21 at the 64,000-square foot location at the northwest corner of I-75 and Mack Avenue (Tolan Playfield), which is yet to be constructed.

“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,” says 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.”

USAC is the governing body for Velodrome Track Cycling races in the U.S. and is affiliated with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Union Cyclist International (UCI). On October 19 and 20, cyclists will be given warmup and training time before participating in the qualifying rounds for the final competition. Dates for the 2018 event have not been set.

“DFF is honored to have the opportunity to host the U.S. Cycling Madison National Championships,” says Dale Hughes, executive director of the foundation. “Being selected for this national championship is the kind of opportunity we hoped to attract to the city of Detroit with this project. We have a strong cycling community and it’s incredibly exciting to bring this unique sport to our new venue, and introduce the Detroit community to a fun and competitive sport.”

The cycling velodrome within the complex features 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 will include run/walk/skating lanes, fitness class areas, and a café with light food and drinks. The complex will be an air dome structure designed and built under the leadership of Hughes, who has designed and built more than 20 velodromes worldwide.

The facility will be one of two permanent indoor cycling velodromes in the U.S.