The Cairo Velodrome: Africa's Track in Nasr City

The venue for the 2021 junior worlds was a brand new, international-standard velodrome built in Cairo. When it opened it was described as the leading track cycling facility on the African continent, and it remains one of very few venues of its kind in Africa.

Where it is

The velodrome stands in the large sports complex around Cairo International Stadium in Nasr City, a district north-east of central Cairo. The stadium itself opened in 1960 and is one of the biggest in Africa, hosting football internationals and major club matches. Around it is a whole sports city of halls, pitches and training venues, which is why it was the natural home for a national cycling track.

A 250-metre wooden track

Every modern world championship and Olympic Games is raced on a 250 m track, usually built from strips of wood such as Siberian pine. Four laps make a kilometre. The bankings at each end are steep, typically more than 40 degrees, so that riders can hold speeds of 60 to 70 km/h through the turns in sprint events. The track at Cairo was laid by specialist track-building consultants and comes with the infrastructure an international meeting needs: team cabins in the infield, warm-up space, timing and photo-finish equipment.

Designed for the climate

Most European velodromes are fully enclosed and heated. Cairo had the opposite problem: heat. The design answer was a huge roof covering the track and the infield, shading riders and spectators, while the sides were left open so that air could flow through the building and keep temperatures down naturally. Racing sessions were scheduled from late afternoon into the evening for the same reason.

Warm, dry air is actually fast for track cycling, because air density falls as temperature rises. The difference is small, but in events decided by thousandths of a second it is one reason sprinters like warm venues.

How fans get there

• By car or ride-hailing: the simplest option. Uber and the regional app Careem both operate in Cairo, and drivers know the stadium. Allow extra time; Cairo traffic is famous for good reason.
• By metro: Line 3 of the Cairo Metro runs through Nasr City and has a station named after the stadium. Check the current network map, because the line has been extended in stages.
• From the airport: Cairo International Airport is in Heliopolis, close to Nasr City, so the velodrome is one of the easier venues in the city to reach after landing.

Our cycling fan's guide to Cairo covers neighbourhoods, hotels near the venue and what to do between sessions.

What the track means for Egyptian cycling

Before the velodrome, Egyptian track riders had to travel abroad to train on an international-standard track. A home venue makes it possible to host continental championships, training camps and youth programmes, and to develop riders who start on the track before moving to the road. Whether the track is used to its full potential depends on investment and calendar decisions that are beyond the scope of this guide, but the facility itself is a lasting legacy of 2021.