[BBC News] Gold medallist supports velodrome

[Albert Tatlock]

The Nivision Stadium gets better use with stock cars and Karts, not sure about you but how many people would go there to see cyclists, surely there are more motorsport fans on the island than pedalsport fans.

Not knocking Mark Cavendish but it's all hype on the back of his achievements.

 

Why don't they hollow down the central pitch within the running track at the NSC and put it there, or alter the bowl?

Agree with that, putting a velodrome down at the NSC or bowl would make far more sense.

 

I'd like to see the cyclist's 'business plan' for Onchan - if it's based on a growing number of people going to watch this sport I think they have another think coming. It's not many people's idea of fun regularly going to watch cyclists going around a track for the evening - people would soon get bored with that even if it was popular for the first few months. It's different in the likes of Manchester when you have a catchment area with a population of millions.

 

Utilising Onchan for Stock Cars, and (for little outlay) even speedway and greyhound racing - would attract far more people. If they want to 'grow' Onchan stadium and make it a 'nice little earner' helping to reduce rates etc. the commisioners should use their imagination, get off their backsides, and do something about it. They should not rush into this decision (and even defer the decision at present) as I suspect they will live to regret it if they make the wrong choice (as this cycling propaganda makes me believe they may well be about to do).

 

A business plan is one thing, but it's the fine detail inside and the analysis of comparable businesses that is really important if a business plan is to be of any use - and not the nice picture of a gold medal on the front.

[StuartT]

The Nivision Stadium gets better use with stock cars and Karts, not sure about you but how many people would go there to see cyclists, surely there are more motorsport fans on the island than pedalsport fans.

Not knocking Mark Cavendish but it's all hype on the back of his achievements.

 

Why don't they hollow down the central pitch within the running track at the NSC and put it there, or alter the bowl?

 

 

Because it would be a lot cheaper to restore the PURPOSE BUILT VELODROME back into a PURPOSE BUILT VELODROME than to build a new one.

 

"but how many people would go there to see cyclists, surely there are more motorsport fans on the island than pedalsport fans"

 

Well judging from old pictures of the cycling events compared to your average turnout at a stockcar meet, the stadium got a lot more use as a cycle venue than it does as the stock car venue. How many people turn up to spectate at motor sports events are actually "motorsports fans" or are just locals who decide to have a skeet cos it is something to do in this Island?

 

Also it will be a lot easier and cheaper for some people to discover their ability as a Velodrome rider with a velodrome - therefore there could be a greater number of world class cyclists discovered due to the presence of better facilities. Also the uses of Velodrome riding are undisputable to other branches of the sport such as road racing, etc.

 

"Why don't they hollow down the central pitch within the running track at the NSC and put it there, or alter the bowl?"

 

You are just proving here that you really haven't given it that much thought, or heard what the parties have to say concerning this Velodrome have you?

 

Jurby is being pushed as very much the purpose built venue for motorsports - therefore there is absolutely no reason why the stock cars should not be put there.

[StuartT]

The Nivision Stadium gets better use with stock cars and Karts, not sure about you but how many people would go there to see cyclists, surely there are more motorsport fans on the island than pedalsport fans.

Not knocking Mark Cavendish but it's all hype on the back of his achievements.

 

Why don't they hollow down the central pitch within the running track at the NSC and put it there, or alter the bowl?

Agree with that, putting a velodrome down at the NSC or bowl would make far more sense.

 

I'd like to see the cyclist's 'business plan' for Onchan - if it's based on a growing number of people going to watch this sport I think they have another think coming. It's not many people's idea of fun regularly going to watch cyclists going around a track for the evening - people would soon get bored with that even if it was popular for the first few months. It's different in the likes of Manchester when you have a catchment area with a population of millions.

 

Utilising Onchan for Stock Cars, and (for little outlay) even speedway and greyhound racing - would attract far more people. If they want to 'grow' Onchan stadium and make it a 'nice little earner' helping to reduce rates etc. the commisioners should use their imagination, get off their backsides, and do something about it. They should not rush into this decision (and even defer the decision at present) as I suspect they will live to regret it if they make the wrong choice (as this cycling propaganda makes me believe they may well be about to do).

 

A business plan is one thing, but it's the fine detail inside and the analysis of comparable businesses that is really important if a business plan is to be of any use - and not the nice picture of a gold medal on the front.

 

 

Albert You also should have gone to the meeting on the Velodrome if you wished to see the business plan & no it is not " based on a growing number of people going to watch this sport".

 

If there was to be another PURPOSE BUILT VELODROME (ON TOP OF THE ONE WE ALREADY HAVE WHICH JUST NEEDS A LITTLE RESTORATION WORK!!!!), then inside the track at the NSC is not the location for it - if you think it is you really don't know much about velodromes.

[ans]

I get special dispensation on anything as it's all part of the sport I excel in.....

 

But you don't excel in it, that's my point. From what I can gather from the real cyclists, you're just someone who makes up the numbers in a race, never actually threatening to win anything.

[ans]

Onchan Park Stadium started life as a Velodrome. It should be allowed to revert back to its original purpose.

 

Stopped for a moment to wonder why they stopped using it as one in the first place?

[Declan]

Stop shouting Stu.

 

When they talk about a velodrome, do they mean a banked thing or a flat track that is more suitible cycling than running?

 

What is it intrinscally that makes Onchan Stadium a purpose built velodrome, sorry a PURPOSE BUILT VELODROME? From my recollection of the place it is just a football pitch with a bit of a track around it, but then I was there to play football so my focus was in the middle.

 

Personally, I would be more like to attend a top-notch cycling event than any of the rather hum-drum motorsport events we have. Cycling is an exciting sport whereas motorsport is dull.

[Albert Tatlock]

Albert You also should have gone to the meeting on the Velodrome if you wished to see the business plan & no it is not " based on a growing number of people going to watch this sport".

 

If there was to be another PURPOSE BUILT VELODROME (ON TOP OF THE ONE WE ALREADY HAVE WHICH JUST NEEDS A LITTLE RESTORATION WORK!!!!), then inside the track at the NSC is not the location for it - if you think it is you really don't know much about velodromes.

Well it can't be a 'business plan' then as far as I'm concerned - if it's not based on making the sport more attractive and getting more people to go and watch it - how is it a business?

 

Onchan is not a velodrome as far as I am concerned, as its use has been changed for decades and since then it has served a different and higher proportion of the population (why else do you think its use changed in the first place?). IMO Onchan stadium should be used to maximise income for Onchan's residents, which with stock cars, speedway and dog racing I'm sure it would do. Turning it back into a velodrome would lose that opportunity, as well as losing facilities and potential income for Onchan residents.

 

Why should Onchan residents support a minority use for the facility - when they have the right to use it as they wish? You shout "ON TOP OF THE ONE WE ALREADY HAVE" - but there is no "WE" - it is Onchan's facility.

 

As for using the NSC or bowl, I didn't say use the inside track at the NSC or the bowl. There is land available in that area to build a velodrome if there is a business case to do so, alongside the other sports facilities. I don't think the government are likely to agree that there is a business case, and are more likely to believe that monies would be better spent supporting the islands cyclists in taking advantage of the facilities in the UK.

[keyboarder]

Who gives a monkey's how many medals the Isle of Man wins. Far better to use any available resources to instigate the creation of an island wide cycle path network - one that keeps cyclists segregated from the petrolheads.

[StuartT]

I get special dispensation on anything as it's all part of the sport I excel in.....

 

But you don't excel in it, that's my point. From what I can gather from the real cyclists, you're just someone who makes up the numbers in a race, never actually threatening to win anything.

 

 

I haven't started competing yet as I've been focussed on certain other sports at the moment - having said that in everything I've done I've shown a certain amount of potential though I'm too busy p1ssing around to apply myself to do anything with that & am probably too old now. Cycling at the moment is my secondary sport, however when I turn my hand to it I wouldn't be so sure that I will "make up the numbers in a race, never actually threatening to win anything".

 

Watch this space, time will tell.

 

However that wasn't the main sport I was referring to in this posting anyway.

[StuartT]

Albert You also should have gone to the meeting on the Velodrome if you wished to see the business plan & no it is not " based on a growing number of people going to watch this sport".

 

If there was to be another PURPOSE BUILT VELODROME (ON TOP OF THE ONE WE ALREADY HAVE WHICH JUST NEEDS A LITTLE RESTORATION WORK!!!!), then inside the track at the NSC is not the location for it - if you think it is you really don't know much about velodromes.

Well it can't be a 'business plan' then as far as I'm concerned - if it's not based on making the sport more attractive and getting more people to go and watch it - how is it a business?

 

Onchan is not a velodrome as far as I am concerned, as its use has been changed for decades and since then it has served a different and higher proportion of the population (why else do you think its use changed in the first place?). IMO Onchan stadium should be used to maximise income for Onchan's residents, which with stock cars, speedway and dog racing I'm sure it would do. Turning it back into a velodrome would lose that opportunity, as well as losing facilities and potential income for Onchan residents.

 

Why should Onchan residents support a minority use for the facility - when they have the right to use it as they wish? You shout "ON TOP OF THE ONE WE ALREADY HAVE" - but there is no "WE" - it is Onchan's facility.

 

As for using the NSC or bowl, I didn't say use the inside track at the NSC or the bowl. There is land available in that area to build a velodrome if there is a business case to do so, alongside the other sports facilities. I don't think the government are likely to agree that there is a business case, and are more likely to believe that monies would be better spent supporting the islands cyclists in taking advantage of the facilities in the UK.

 

 

As I said you really are not clued up on the business plan at all - & it's not about spectating - & if you think more money can be made from spectating than participating then you've got another thing coming. I really can't be bothered to narrate the whole detail of the meeting to you - if you were interested in what was being said you should have been at the meeting.

[StuartT]

Who gives a monkey's how many medals the Isle of Man wins. Far better to use any available resources to instigate the creation of an island wide cycle path network - one that keeps cyclists segregated from the petrolheads.

 

 

WTF - a cyclepath network is totally pointless in the IOM & is actually a hinderance to bike use rather than a compliment. The only specialist cycletracks there needs to be is those which run across the hills being unmade tracks open to cycle use.

 

The only place for cyclists is on the road full stop.

[keyboarder]

WTF - a cyclepath network is totally pointless in the IOM & is actually a hinderance to bike use rather than a compliment.

 

Your logic defies me. Would you quantify this statement?

[StuartT]

Stop shouting Stu.

 

When they talk about a velodrome, do they mean a banked thing or a flat track that is more suitible cycling than running?

 

What is it intrinscally that makes Onchan Stadium a purpose built velodrome, sorry a PURPOSE BUILT VELODROME? From my recollection of the place it is just a football pitch with a bit of a track around it, but then I was there to play football so my focus was in the middle.

 

Personally, I would be more like to attend a top-notch cycling event than any of the rather hum-drum motorsport events we have. Cycling is an exciting sport whereas motorsport is dull.

 

The Nivison stadium was actually originally built as a cycletrack - if you notice around the edges of the track it is banked - this is basically to stop the bikes flying off when taking the corners at the speeds they are travelling at. I recall the gokarts using the track banks in the 1980's.

[StuartT]

WTF - a cyclepath network is totally pointless in the IOM & is actually a hinderance to bike use rather than a compliment.

 

Your logic defies me. Would you quantify this statement?

 

 

Basically cos it fosters an attitude that bikes should be on cyclepaths instead of the roads - whereas they are actually better off on the roads. Many cyclepaths are badly designed anyway - going into barriers, up onto pavements, etc. I can't be bothered to run through all the arguements here & it's not relevant, but there's a whole thread on the Manx Road Club forum if you want further detail of the pro's & con's of cycleways.

 

Don't get me wrong though, I would like to see more XC tracks - that's a whole different thing.

[ans]

I haven't started competing yet

 

By your own standards, you're not qualified to comment then. Best go back to Morris Dancing or whatever this main mystery sport you excel in is.