British Cycling, in partnership with UK Sport and Manchester City Council, has today announced that the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup will return to Manchester in April 2016.

The two-day competition will take place at the National Cycling Centre from 9-10 April 2016. The world-renowned BMX venue will be hosting the world’s premier BMX series for the fourth time, following three successful events in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The event is part of UK Sport’s National Lottery funded #EveryRoadtoRio series, which will feature over 30 world class sports events the length and breadth of the UK, supporting British athletes’ preparation and qualification for Rio 2016.

The 2016 event in Manchester will be the second round of a five-round global series which will also see rounds held in Santiago del Estero (Argentina), Papendal (Netherlands), Rock Hill, South Carolina (USA) and Sarasota, Florida (USA). As one of the last chances for riders to gain qualifying points before the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, the Manchester event will once again bring the best male and female BMX riders on the planet to the city.

The 2015 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in Manchester, which took place in April, attracted record crowds who were treated to a home victory for 2014 world cup series winner and 2013 world champion, Liam Phillips, on both nights of racing. Phillips was victorious in Saturday’s time trials and Sunday’s supercross for the third year in succession, becoming the first man to complete a “three-peat” on the same track in supercross world cup history.

Jonny Clay, British Cycling’s cycle sport and membership director, said of the announcement:

“We are delighted that Manchester has been awarded a round of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup for the fourth year in succession.

“Inspired by the success of riders like Liam Phillips, the appetite for BMX has grown hugely in this country and this has been reflected by the fantastic crowds we have seen in Manchester over the last three years.

“The chance to spend a weekend watching the best BMX riders in the world in action at the start of an Olympic year, is truly inspirational and an opportunity not to be missed.”

Councillor Rosa Battle, Manchester City Council’s executive member for culture and leisure, said:

“Manchester is proud to once again host the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup at the National Cycling Centre.

“We have been privileged to host the event for the last three years and it has proved incredibly popular, with spectators being treated to thrilling contests between some of the very best BMX riders.

“This announcement is a reminder that Manchester is the home of British Cycling and, as well as the BMX Centre, boasts the velodrome and the Clayton Vale Mountain Bike Trail. These superb facilities are not only used by elite cyclists but are open for anyone to test their cycling prowess and I hope this competition inspires even more people to get in the saddle.”

Simon Morton, UK Sport’s director of major events, commented:

“It is fantastic that we will have the opportunity to host the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in Manchester in 2016, just four months out from the Rio 2016 Olympics, giving British athletes a great opportunity to prepare for the Games in front of a home crowd.

“This will be one of over 30 incredible events on our #EveryRoadtoRio series, supporting our athletes’ preparation and qualification for Rio, as well as bringing great sporting events to regions right across the UK.”

Tickets for the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in Manchester are expected to go on sale in autumn 2015. More information will be released later in the year with the latest news available on the official UCI BMX Supercross World Cup - Manchester website.