Today is the opening day of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. The Games kick off the with 71 Commonwealth countries competing. We’ll be doing a full games round up with a run down on the men’s and women’s British teams and who to watch out for in all disciplines. There’s loads of cycling to see and plenty of it on BBC TV and BBC Interactive.
Track racing 16-19th March
Fours days of racing at the Vodaphone Arena, the same venue that hosted the 2004 World Championships. It’s all over in a few days so don’t forget to check the BBC listings!
and the official games website page on Track events
The Track Finals
Thursday 16th
• First up is the men’s kilo
• 4000m pursuit and women’s 500m Time Trial
Friday 17th
• Kicks off with the Women’s 25km points
• The Men’s Keirin
• Men’s 40km Points race
Saturday 18th
• Men’s Team Pursuit
• Men’s Sprint
• Women’s Sprint
Sunday 19th
• Women’s 3000m Individual Pursuit.
• Men’s Team Sprint (will it be Scotland v England?)
• Men’s 20km Scratch race
Road Race – 26th March
The Road Race event will be set around the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens, minutes from Melbourne’s city centre. The Royal Botanic Gardens Circuit was used for the 1998 Australian Cycling Championships. Men’s and Women’s on the same course and day.
Road Time Trial – 21 March
Held on the St Kilda Foreshore and Beach Road. Riders will be set off at 1 minute intervals to brave the elements of this exposed coastal course. Again, men’s and women’s on the same course and day.
Mountain Bike XC – 23 March
XC racing takes place at Lysterfield Park, just south-east of Melbourne. The course is a 6km circuit with a mix of terrain for an exciting race. And, again, men’s and women’s on the same course and day.
For further info…
Here is the official games website www.melbourne2006.com.au
Details of the TV coverage on the BBC is here
Today’s Commonwealth Games TV is here
