Riders get first look at site of planned BMX track two years ahead of Glasgow 2018 European Championships

The next generation of BMX riders were given a first look at the site of a planned £2million BMX track today (Monday) exactly two years before the facility is first used at the Glasgow 2018 European Championships.

The new facility, which will be built in Knightswood Park in the north west of Glasgow, will be the first and only world championship and Olympic standard BMX track in Scotland and the second in the UK, outside of Manchester. It is the only new venue being built ahead of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships and will complete the city's portfolio of cycle sport venues as well as increasing the profile of cycling across the country.

The Olympic and World Championship standard track will be the new home of the Great Western Titans BMX Club and will also be used by local clubs, schools and community groups. It will first be used in major competition during the European Championships - an exciting new multi-sport event that brings together the existing European Championships of athletics, aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon and a new golf team event.

The European Championships is being staged for the first time in 2018 in a partnership between the Host Cities of Glasgow and Berlin. This sporting partnership will create a new event on the world stage every four years elevating the status of European Champions and attracting a potential television audience of 1.03 billion with a wider audience via digital platforms.

As part of the inaugural European Championships around 3,025 athletes will visit Scotland for six events (aquatics, cycling, golf, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon) while a further 1,500 athletes will compete in Berlin as part of the European Athletics Championships. The event will build on Glasgow and Scotland's track record of hosting major international events including the 2014 Commonwealth Games, 2014 Ryder Cup and 2015 World Gymnastics Championships.

Aileen Campbell, Scottish Government Minister for Sport, said: "I'm delighted that the Scottish Government has been able to support the 2018 European Championships. This is a totally new concept in European sport, so it's tremendous that we can be at the forefront of that, welcoming all these world-class athletes to Glasgow, and other venues across Scotland. We have a growing reputation when it comes to hosting major events like this, and I'm sure the people of Scotland will embrace these championships as only they can."

Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "With exactly two years to go excitement is building ahead of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships, which will see our city shine on the global stage once again. It is a testament to our recent investment in world-class sports facilities that the only venue being built ahead of Glasgow 2018 is the new BMX track at Knightswood Park which will be a lasting legacy for future generations."   

The 2018 European Championships will be staged by the European Federations and the Host Cities of Glasgow and Berlin.

The Glasgow 2018 event will be held between 1st and 12th August and the European Athletics Championships will be between 7th and 12th August in Berlin.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the umbrella body for Europe free-to-air channels, will be the broadcast partner for the Championships. There is a potential television audience of around 1.03 billion for the event with many more viewers across multiple digital platforms.

Around 3025 athletes will travel to Scotland as part of a total delegation of around 8500 including officials, media and others. A further 1500 athletes will compete in Berlin.

The European Aquatic Championships will take place at Glasgow's Tollcross International Swimming Centre, with diving and synchronised swimming taking place at Edinburgh's Royal Commonwealth Pool and open water swimming being staged at Loch Lomond.

Four European Cycling Championships will be staged in Glasgow. Track, Road, Mountain Bike and BMX will attract 650 of Europe's top names to the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, the Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike Trails, the streets of Glasgow and a new world championship and Olympic standard BMX track to be built in the Knightswood area of the city.

The European Golf Team Championships will take place at the Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course in Perth & Kinross.

The European Artistic Gymnastics Men's and Women's Championships will be staged at The SSE Hydro, the venue for the 2015 FIG World Gymnastics Championships.

The European Championships for both Rowing and Triathlon will both be staged at Strathclyde Country Park in North Lanarkshire.

Berlin's Olympic Stadium will be the venue for the European Athletics Championships with the road races and race walking events held throughout the city.