Pittsburg velodrome to launch the World Cycling League

The World Cycling League (WCL) will present a new version of track racing in 2015. The first permanent 200-m velodrome in the U.S., the Island 200 Velodrome, will be completed this summer. The track will serve as host venue for the inaugural season of the WCL in 2015.

SpeedTrack is the name of the WCL’s new race program. With approximately 18 months before the launch of the league, the founders plan to use the track in the coming year to test equipment and what they refer to as proprietary systems that will distinguish the WCL from other formats of professional cycling.

The group behind the WCL includes some renowned names, such as John Vande Velde, two-time Olympian and former professional track cyclist. David Chauner, another former Olympian and the CEO of the WCL is hoping to develop a sustainable business model for professional bicycle racing in North America. Robert Gottlieb is the developer of the velodrome and will be the WCL’s first president.

“Part of the process of developing a velodrome is creating consistent programming that will build and sustain fan interest,” said Gottlieb in a statement. “That means selling cycling to a new audience using leading-edge techniques like on-board video cameras, live streaming rider data, an easy-to-follow point system, season-long team competition and heart-pounding sound and lighting. I’m excited that Island 200 will serve as WCL’s production studio and initial League headquarters.”

With a $15 million investment to build the velodrome itself, the WCL appears to have overcome the first major hurdle in getting their league off the ground. Track racing in the WCL will include co-ed teams who will accumulate points in a given track racing match. While WCL format is said to work best on 200-m velodromes, the company’s website claims that “many of the world’s underutilized 250-m indoor velodromes will also benefit from a 36-game season of Speedtrak Cycling.”