Johan Bruyneel and his crazy scheme

[Marva32]

My "issue" with velodromes is all the fraud associated with them, particularly when it comes to bilking taxpayers for the millions of dollars these boondoggles cost to construct (or in the case of the Albuquerque velodrome, not construct).

And then there's the fact that not a single velodrome in the United States turns a profit, yet all the people who champion their construction (i.e. Chauner) give these over-hyped presentations to town councils about how they will bring in $40 million/year, create hundreds of jobs, and have long-term viability as a revenue generator for the city.

The level and scope of the lying is phenomenal. So that's "my issue" with velodromes.

I can't speak for other velodromes, but I know that when the track in Northbrook had to be resurfaced a few years ago, it was up to the cycling community to come up with half the funds, which were then matched by the park district. I can't tell you if the velodrome turns a profit, but it is also part of a public park, with the infield area used for local soccer games.

 

[Marva32]

Three, USA Cycling, Eric Heiden and Sheila Young don't "own" track cycling or velodromes. Why are you even bringing them into the mix of what was a very specific thread about this velodrome scam in Albuquerque? You may as well throw in Nelson Vails and Major Taylor while you're at it because they have just as little to do with the thread as the others.

I can't speak for what the poster was saying about contacting USA Cycling, but I would imagine that contacting them would be about doing more to promote track racing here in the US.

 

[Marva32]

"]I'd also like to know what this is doing in Professional road racing. Nothing to do with road racing, nothing to do with professionals.

Uh, let's see how simple I can make this for you, because I assume you like to keep your thought processes VERY basic:
I think Bruyneel, and his proposed abandoning of the current UCI PROFESSIONAL ROAD structure, LA, Dave Chauner, Tailwind Sports, and over 5 professional teams (Navigators, Lipton, Astana, etc.) makes this a professional road racing topic. I would like it moved back immediately.
Mike Schatzman[/QUOTE]

I was the original one who asked the question, and my thought processes are not very basic.

A discussion on Bruyneel, the abandonment of the UCI etc. would belong in the pro road racing category.

A discussion on what was going on with the development of a velodrome has nothing to do with professional road racing. Just because professionals are involved, does not mean it has to do with road racing.

 

[avanti]

.............. You are correct, the velodromes never turn a profit. .......................QUOTE]

I was President of a velodrome for two years - it was registered as a not-for-profit corporation. It never made a loss as far as I know and it never made a profit since NFP are not allowed to do so. Admittedly we ran on the ragged edge some years in regard to funds.

Fortunately we had a lot of volunteers who ran the velodrome and the coffee/beer stand (which provide the majority of funds).

Re public funding the velodrome was located in a flood control area so rent was very low - we paid the owner (US Govt) around $25 per yeas as I recall.

We did get some funds from an Olympic Games surplus one year which allowed the velodrome to be upgraded.