Derby Arena Welcomes National Cycling Events
Published: 15 March 2023
Derny motorbike rider with track cyclist
Derby Arena is delighted to welcome back the National Madison Championships and National Derny Championships, providing an exciting weekend of racing.
Organised by Velospeed Coaching in partnership with British Cycling the National Madison Championships will run from 7pm on Friday 22 September, and the National Derny Championships will run from 4pm Saturday 23 September.
So, what are these events and why should you book your ticket to be a spectator?
The Madison event is a relay race for teams of two riders, showcasing their stamina, speed and technique. This event, run over 30km (120 laps) for women and 50km (200 laps) for men, is best known for the hand-slings which are performed by riders to indicate who is currently active in the race.
Within the race, teams will ride around the track with riders taking turns to hand-sling each other forwards when they meet between laps. Points are awarded for sprints, which happen every 10 laps, and lapping the main group of riders along with overall stamina, speed and technique. The winner of the Madison is the team with the most points at the end of the race.
Derny racing is a high-speed motor-paced event, harking back to days of old with the thunderous roar of up to 8 riders and motorbikes per heat. Speeds are in excess of 60KPH and the noise and thrill of Derny racing are unrivalled. There are qualifications heats culminating in a national final. There is a support racing programme in between heats to ensure that the evening is packed with the nation’s best riders!
Councillor Jerry Pearce, Derby City Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Public Spaces and Leisure, said:
It’s an absolute pleasure to be hosting the National Madison and National Derny Championships in Derby. We’re very excited to see athletes inspiring the next generation of riders and we wish the competitors the very best of luck.
The event organiser, Phil Kilpatrick of Velospeed Coaching, said:
We are pleased to bring another year of National racing to Derby city, and Derby Arena. We are very proud to be a Derby based company and its great to put the facility on the map as a world class cycling facility. The support of the spectators, made up of local cyclists, cycling enthusiast’s and a wider public base is really appreciated by the riders. The racing will be fast and some of the nation’s best cyclists will be in attendance. To top things off we are hosting the Derny Championships for the first time, the noise, smell of two stroke and speed of this is something to behold!
Acting Cycling Delivery Director Jonathan Day, from British Cycling, said:
We're pleased to be returning to Derby for this year's National Madison and Derny Championships in September and would like to thank the venue and organising team for their ongoing support for our key national events.
Derby Arena is a first-class track and venue, and after providing a base for our Great Britain Cycling Team riders last year during the renovation of Manchester's National Cycling Centre, I'm sure that many will be looking forward to returning later this year to do battle for national titles.
Tickets to both the National Madison and National Derny Championship events can be purchased on the Derby LIVE website. LIVE Tickets are pleased to act as a ticket agents.