Liam Phillips Coming Back to BMX

After saying “sayonara” to the Supercross circuit earlier this year, UK roller, Liam Phillips is tossing his track career, in favor of a return to the big hill.

Liam told UK’s Sky Sports: “My time training on the track was fantastic and it was such an awesome opportunity to train with the sprint squad. Ultimately though, I missed my BMX bike and as such have made the decision to return to BMX racing.”

His return could not come at a better time for British Cycling, as the Host country of next year’s Summer Games struggles to field a Mens team whose members can make it happen on the track. Great Britain did not send any riders to the Chula Vista World Cup last month, and none of the eight men who entered the London SX made it out of the initial qualifying rounds.

On the women’s side, it is a bit more rosy, with Shanaze Reade as the anchor. But beyond her very-legitimate chances at an Olympic main event, if not a medal, BC is at a bit of a loss for more bench strength.

Welcome back, Liam! Now suit up and get in there.

Rolls Royce of Indoor Tracks To Open in UK

On October 27, 2009, BMX News reported of plans by British Cycling, and various government funding entities in the UK, to build a £19.5m dedicated indoor BMX track and training facility. We updated the story on February 17, 2011 as ground was officially broken for the facility.

Now, 18-months later, the project is near-completion, and an open house will be held tomorrow to showcase this one-of-a-kind facility, in advance of the official opening on Monday (Aug 8). The final price tag for the 100,000 square foot concrete, steel and glass facility came in at £24m, (USD $39.1 Million). And WHOA! Talk about paradise on Earth for a BMXer…

The facility will house the headquarters of British Cycling, and also have a full-on pro shop, cafe and locker room facilities. Seating for 2,000 spectators is set around an incredible indoor track, intended to host top international events, but also fun and excitement for the homecrowd (who ponied up a third of the budget, via the Manchester City Council).

A release posted on British Cycling’s Website says:

But it’s not just for elite riders – Manchester schoolkids will have access to the track, and keen Manchester cyclists will be able to attend discounted ‘pay and ride’ sessions in the evening and (on) the weekend. Read Full Release

BMX News hopes to bring you more on this story when we wing on over to the UK for the 2012 UCI BMX World Championships and the 2012 London Summer Games next year. Meanwhile, if anyone local has their ears on, please send in an “on-the-ground” report.

Groundbreaking Indoor Breaks Ground in Britain

On October 27 last year, BMXNEWS reported that the British government had approved a US $31 Million dedicated indoor BMX facility in East Manchester. This week, Shanaze Reade was on hand, along with two local 10-year old BMX hopefuls to officially break ground on the 110,000 sq ft. facility, which is being hailed in the press release as the “first purpose-built indoor BMX facility in the world.” Below, you can read the official press release:

SHANAZE READE BREAKS NEW GROUND AS WORK STARTS ON NATIONAL INDOOR BMX CENTRE

Olympic BMXer, Shanaze Reade joined school children from Ashbury Meadow Community School in Beswick, east Manchester, for a groundbreaking ceremony as work starts to build the world’s first purpose built indoor BMX track.

British Cycling and Manchester City Council, in partnership with New East Manchester, are working together to deliver the 110,000 sq foot National Indoor BMX Centre at Sportcity.

With the existing Manchester Velodrome, and improved public spaces, the new £24 million complex will form the National Cycling Centre. It will include a 2,000 seater capacity BMX area and offices for British Cycling headquarters.

Shanaze Reade commenting on the new centre said: “Having the National Indoor BMX Centre in east Manchester, right on my doorstep, is fantastic. I can’t wait to train here to try and get a gold medal at London 2012. I also really hope it encourages more local kids to take up the sport.”

Ian Drake, British Cycling’s Chief Executive, said: “Today brings us a step closer to the completion of the BMC centre which will be a fantastic training and competition facility for British Cycling and aid the GB Cycling Team’s preparations for London 2012. As a community facility, the centre will also offer local young people and adults an opportunity to train alongside British BMX stars, inspiring future generations of riders and growing the discipline at the grass roots. We also look forward to the opening of a new purpose-built British Cycling office when the project is complete in 2011.”

Eddie Smith, Chief Executive of New East Manchester said: “East Manchester is the home of British Cycling and this scheme will take this partnership to a new level. The National Indoor BMX Centre will sit beside the Manchester Velodrome and a new velopark offering facilities for all cycling disciplines for both elite athletes and the community. Employing over 160 people, this new complex will add to the range of world class sporting facilities we have at Sportcity.”

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said: “Sportcity forms a core element of regeneration activity in East Manchester, delivering not only physical but also economic and social change. The new BMX arena will further enhance the city’s profile as a centre of sporting excellence, providing the type of world-class facilities and elite athletes that attracts wider investment.

“It is excellent that work has begun and that we can announce new investment which will support a range of developments that will generate employment, reinforce the role of sporting activity as an economic driver for the area, enhance the leisure and tourism offer of Manchester and serve to further raise the area’s profile.”

Sport England’s Property Director, Charles Johnston, said: “The BMX Centre will bring high-quality sporting opportunities to both elite riders and the community, helping us deliver a lasting Olympic and Paralympic legacy of increased participation. The plans have the firm support of British Cycling, which will use the facilities to identify and nurture the next generation of BMX stars. To secure investment from our Sustainable Facilities Fund, this project has demonstrated that it will meet local sporting needs and safeguard long-term sports provision.”

The facility is funded by Manchester City Council (£8.55 million), the Northwest Regional Development Agency (£8 million) and Sport England (£3 million). An additional £5million has also been announced to create high quality public spaces that will serve the National Cycling Centre and other local venues. The funding will provide new cycle-ways and footpaths linking the new and existing developments. The £5 million public realm works are jointly funded by the Homes and Communities Agency and the European Regional Development Fund.

The National Indoor BMX Centre has been designed by Ellis Williams Architects. Construction work will be carried out by contractors Sir Robert McAlpine with completion expected in April 2011.