Former Olympic sprint cyclist Geoff Cooke officially opened the Bournemouth Cycling Centre on Saturday – the first outdoor track to be built in the UK since 1962.

The centre, with the 250m Tarmac track as the showpiece, cost approximately £750,000 to develop, funded by British Cycling, Bournemouth council and housing development contribution.

Cooke, who competed at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich and won tandem sprint silver at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, went head-to-head rising track star Ellie Coster in a match sprint but was pipped to the line by the youngster he coaches and tips to race at Rio 2016.

“I have ridden tracks all over the world this is as good an outdoor track as I have ever ridden,” said Cooke. “It really is a superb facility. It’s absolutely fantastic and a real adrenalin surge. It’s so easy to ride; it’s not so steep that kids will be put off.

“It’s superbly fast but everyone can ride it. Come down and have some fun. It does not matter about winning and losing, just enjoy it.”

The Bournemouth Cycling Centre, at Slades Farm, will host weekly drop-in sessions for experienced riders over 14 years old on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm. Saturday morning sessions will include training for beginners, as well as riders who want to improve their fitness and develop track skills.

British Cycling chief executive Ian Drake added: “It’s a perfect example of the continued efforts we are making, together with Sport England, to create excellent modern cycling facilities across the UK.

“The new facility will support the growth of our sport at the grassroots to develop future cycling stars.”

See www.bournemouth.cc for more information.