The BMX pump track at The Better Maindy Centre in Cardiff will be officially reopened as part of the Yellow Jersey Festival where over 250 school children across eight schools will be in attendance.

Thanks to a Welsh Government capital funding through a Sport Wales grant, GLL Better Cardiff were awarded £15,000 which has been used to help resurface the track. The track will also be base to Cardiff BMX Racing Club which was formed in 2017.

Welsh Cycling CEO, Anne Adams-King said: “With this facility being reopened again, it is great news for the BMX community based in Cardiff.

“We are hoping this facility will help boost participation and with Cardiff BMX, a club which is based there it’s the perfect time to be re-launching this facility,” Adams-King continued.

The BMX facility being an addition to the existing facilities including the Outdoor track and closed road circuit used by a number of local Cardiff clubs including being the Home to Go-Ride club Maindy Flyers in which Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas started cycling.

With the unveiling of the new track, Cardiff BMX will be holding session which will give riders the chance to experience the sport as well giving them the opportunity to progress their cycling in a fun and safe environment.

Will Soffe, HSBC UK Go-Ride coach, from Welsh Cycling, commented: “Facilities like the Maindy Track are an important first step to introducing young people into the sport of BMX and giving them crucial bike handling skills which are invaluable in any form of cycling they wish to pursue. 

“The next phase is creating a full-sized BMX race track which can host officially sanctioned British Cycling BMX competitions in Cardiff,” Soffe continued. 

Hugh Copping, Chairman Cardiff BMX Racing Club, commented: “The redevelopment of the pump track at Maindy will be a valuable asset to the community and will be key to helping riders gain the confidence and skills to ride on a full size race track. Within Wales, the popularity of BMX racing is growing fast, so facilities are much needed.”

Commenting on Cardiff BMX, Copping said: “Cardiff BMX Racing club was set up in 2017 and we have a growing community of riders that meet regularly. Our riders have a wide range of abilities from those just getting used to BMX Racing for the first time through to those about to go to the World Championships in Belgium this year.

The track will be open alongside the centre opening hours and is free to use. There will be also be paid coaching sessions which are advertised on the Better website - https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/cardiff/maindy-leisure-centre

Anthony Hayes, Manager at Better Maindy Centre, said: “Better Cardiff is very pleased to add this latest facility to its growing list of sport and fitness resources across our eight venues in Cardiff.  BMX racing is taking place on a growing number of purpose-built outdoor and indoor tracks throughout the country as new clubs, tracks and competitions have sprung up.”