March 22, 2005 – The United States is gearing up to host it’s third UCI World Track Championships in the past 100 years. From March 24-27 Carson, California (a suburb in West Los Angeles County) be filled with more than 250 of the world’s best track athletes from over 37 countries. The new 100,000 square foot, $15 million ADT event center in Carson contains America’s only indoor 250 metre wooden velodrome. The center was completed a year ago but has already hosted the 2004 UCI Junior World Championships and a UCI World Cup event in December of 2004.

The last time America hosted the World Track Championships was nineteen years ago in the outdoor velodrome in Colorado Springs but track cycling has since changed. It is now mandatory for the event to be hosted in an indoor velodrome. The Championships will be filled with spills and thrills, tears and fears and many Canadian fans will be there waving the red maple leaf. As the event is so close to Canadian soil many cycling fans will be making the trip to California to cheer on Canada’s champions.

Some of these champions include Lori-Ann Muenzer of Alberta, Travis Smith of Alberta, and Mandy Poitras of British Columbia. These three athletes finished in the top ten overall World Cup 2005 standings and are contenders for top spots at the 2005 Track Worlds. It will be an exciting four days of racing so stay tuned to pedalmag.com for complete coverage.