WHEN the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome opens in Glasgow's East End it will be one of the fastest cycle tracks in the world and, as these exclusive images show, the floor is almost finished.

This week, experts travelled from Germany to the city to begin installing the Siberian pine slats that will make up the floor of the race circuit.

The track has been designed by internationally renowned expert Ralph Schuermann, who was responsible for the 2008 Olympic Games velodrome in Beijing.

His team will spend the next couple of months laying the track which, because of the angle of its curves, will allow cyclists to hit top speeds.

The Velodrome and Commonwealth Arena, which together will cost £113million, are situated opposite Celtic Park.

They will host the badminton and cycling for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which will be watched by millions around the world.

But before the elite athletes move in, the public will have a chance to try out the facilities.

Budding speed cyclists who want to try out the Commonwealth track will have to go through an induction process that will cover a range of elements, including safety.

The arena and velodrome, which will make up one of the biggest indoor sports facilities of its type in Europe, are expected to be finished by October.

The velodrome has been named after multi-world and Olympic track cyclist champion Sir Chris Hoy.

It will have permanent seating for 2000 people, which will be increased to 4000 seats for the Games.

There will also be room for a further 500 standing spectators.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: "The preparation for the installation of the track marks a very exciting time for the project.

"The quality of the velodrome as a venue means the sporting public in Glasgow and Scotland will be able to see cycling events of the highest standard well before the Games arrive and for many decades after, leaving a fantastic sporting legacy and providing inspiration for cyclists of all ages.

"We are in a golden era for Scottish cycling and the creation of Scotland's first indoor velodrome seems set to provide a platform for the next generation to build on the success of Sir Chris Hoy and others.

"The first of these events, the Revolution World Series Track Cycling competition early in 2013, will allow people to see just what an exciting venue for sport a velodrome is."

A host of events have been scheduled to take place in the venue in the run-up to the 2014 Games.

These include the Scottish Open International Badminton Championships, the international-class Revolution Track Cycling series, Northern European Gymnastics Championships, World Premier Netball Club Challenge, World Cup Gymnastics, the Glasgow Aviva International Athletics Match and the Scottish National Track Cycling Championships.

The arena will be the new home of Scotland's only professional basketball team, the Glasgow Rocks, who play in the UK national super league, and Scotland's leading netball side, Glasgow Wildcats.

The centre will be a national training centre for athletics, basketball, netball, track cycling and volleyball and the velodrome includes a dedicated roller sports park for activities like skateboarding.

It will house one of the largest Glasgow Clubs in the city, with three sports halls having 12 games courts, four outdoor floodlit five-a-side courts, and a health and fitness centre, all of which will be available for use by residents.

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk

l Length of track – 250m

l Speed of cyclists – 50mph

l Angle of banking – 45 degrees

l Amount of beech flooring – 2000 sq mts

l Cost of velodrome and Commonwealth Arena build – £113m l Seating – 2000 people