Adelaide Track League 2020 Preview
TRACK IS BACK. IN ADELAIDE FORM
Cycling South Australia (CSA) has re-announced the Adelaide Superdrome will be hosting the inaugural Adelaide Track League (ATL) across two dates; July 31 and 4 September.
The first attempt at running ATL fell into the COVID-19 cancellation vortex but South Australia is transitioning out of restrictions and public events are allowed again. Bike racing is already back across all disciplines (we’re absolutely chuffed to bits) with participation and spectator attendance numbers very encouraging for the local scene. CSA has been prodigiously busy running its standard events calendar across a condensed timeline, hence the pleasure of seeing ATL re-appear on the schedule.
“CSA has been committed to breaking the mold when it comes to staging cycling events. We want to do for track cycling what the Big Bash has done for cricket. Make it fun, make it exciting, and make it something that everyone wants to be part of.”
The ATL event is part of a broader track cycling renaissance for South Australia with the re-opening of the outdoor Hanson Reserve velodrome last year funneling more people into grass-roots participation. ATL has been planned as the jewel in the crown for Adelaide track meets. Track cycling has beena quiet discipline for South Australia which is incongruous to the presence of Cycling Australia’s track program at the Adelaide Superdrome, and the colossal resourcing poured into the road bike party Tour Down Under each January. South Australia is loaded with cycling opportunities beyond the well-worn cliches of helicopter shots over wineries and Phil Liggett soundbites so hell yes the ATL is exciting for us.
SO, WHAT’S ATL SERVING UP?
There’s two planned dates; July 31 and September 4 and there’s a stack of events including; Sprint Derby, Scratch Race, Keirin, and Points Races across multiple grades.
The ATL’s eventual plan is to lure interstate talent over for the competition but that’s going to be a reality at future events with travel restrictions still in place for now.
There will be Australian Cycling Team riders hitting the boards with members of the endurance team likely to put on a super powered demonstration. Those outside of South Australia may not have heard that the fallowed Olympic athletes are dropping some monstrous efforts on Strava and making local races extra spicy. Jaws have been dropping online and crit-side at some of the performances from our nation’s finest so fingers crossed we get to see them in action at ATL.
Plenty of Podium Potential riders will be there mixing it up with local amateurs who’ve been pounding around the Hanson Velodrome, and some warmup action from junior grades.
VELODROME PARTY
CSA is throwing everything into the Superdrome to make sure it’s a feast for all the sense:
Food from Sookii La La & Nugg Lyf
Beer from Big Shed Brewing Concern, wine by McLaren Vale’s Alpha Box & Dice, and alcohol free options from Squatters Collective.
Sweet tunes will come from local DJs.
WATCH THE ACTION
Tickets are a bargain $5 for people lucky enough to be in South Australia for the event. We have a sneaky suspicion the crowd will be sizeable if recent local races are any indication.
The 2020 world of rolling chaos means that no event is for certain and I’ve confirmed with CSA that full refunds will be given in case of cancellation. Are you keen to get along and spectate? Grab your tickets from the ATL Website.
The event will be broadcast online via a paid service for people interstate and overseas. The details are still being sorted but expect a quality broadcast with multiple cameras around the track and roving the infield. We’ve got links below to the event pages so you can keep up with announcements on how to watch the event online.
Follow the ATL feeds to keep up with all the information:
