The Minister for Sport Kate Ellis today toured the Adelaide Super-drome where construction is underway to improve the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) recovery facilities for Australia’s elite cyclists.

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has committed $310,000 to this work which includes the construction of a recovery area with hot/cold baths and a new Ergo meter room with 10 stationary ergo bikes that allow coaches to accurately measure the performance output of athletes in training.

The improved Super-drome facilities are crucial for Australia’s top track cyclists as they continue to build towards the 2012 London Olympics.

These new facilities will ensure that the Australia’s elite track cyclists based in Adelaide with the AIS have access to facilities equal to that of their international competitors.

The success of the AIS track cycling program was clear to see at the recent World Championships in Denmark, where Australia’s track cycling team, the Cyclones, topped the medal tally.

Of the 18 athletes in the Australian team for the World Championships 17 were current or former AIS scholarship holders.

Since 2006/07 the Government, through the Australian Sports Commission, has provided more than $5.6 million annually in funding to cycling.

Government funding coupled with the great support through the AIS has helped the likes of World Champions Anna Meares, Cameron Meyer and Jack Bobridge to maintain that competitive edge, and continually challenge for international success.

The Cycling Australia/AIS High Performance Program uses the Adelaide Super-drome as a base for all track cycling disciplines.  The track program has been based in Adelaide since 1987, but commenced training at the Super-drome following its construction in 1993.