Hong Kong to host 2017 UCI Track World Championships

Hong Kong has been announced as the host of the 2017 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.

The 2016 edition of the competition is currently taking place at London's Lee Valley VeloPark, and a handover ceremony will take place following the conclusion of the final race on Sunday.

It will be just the second time that Asia has hosted the event, which is scheduled to take place between April 12 and 16 next year, after Maebashi, Japan, welcomed the world's top track cyclists in 1990.

UCI president Brian Cookson said in a statement: "I am delighted that the 2017 UCI Track Cycling World Championships will be held in Hong Kong.

"Since London 2012, when Hong Kong won its first ever Olympic medal in cycling with Lee Wai Sze in the women’s keirin, Hong Kong has progressed steadily.

"The fact that the event is going to Asia for the second time marks an important milestone in the further globalisation of track cycling.

"We are convinced that the continent has huge athlete, commercial and broadcast potential and we will work with all our stakeholders to ensure the impact of these Championships is felt long after 2017."

The Hong Kong Velodrome, opened in 2013, has a 250-metre cycling track and can hold 3,000 spectators.