Page "Velodrome" Paragraph 2

The first velodromes were constructed during the mid-late 19th century.

Some were purpose-built just for cycling, others were built as parts of facilities for other sports ; many were built around athletics tracks or other grounds and any banking was shallow.

And, reflecting the then lack of international standards, sizes varied and not all were built as ovals-for example, the oldest velodrome in the UK, at Preston Park, Brighton ( 1877 ), is 579m long and features four straights linked by banked curves, while the 536m Portsmouth velodrome has a single straight linked by one long curve.

Early surfaces included cinders or shale, though concrete, asphalt and tarmac later became more common.