History

 

 

"The first velodrome in San Diego was built in 1916. It went from Harbor Drive to Pacific Highway to Broadway. In 1917, when the United States got involved in World War I, they tore part of it down. What was left became the grandstand for Lane Field where the Padres played until Westgate Park Stadium was built. The Morley Field velodrome was a dirt track when I first got into racing. I don't know when it began but I know from 1936 to 1948, including the war years when nothing was happening, that was the track that we had."

 

Bob Bergen

San Diego Bicycle Club

San Diego is rich in cycling history and velodrome racing. In 1949, the San Diego Velodrome hosted the Senior National Championships. In 1952, San Diego native and former SDVA board member, Harry Backer, represented the United States at the Olympic Games.

The current velodrome was constructed in 1976 and is located in the Morley Field Sports Complex of Balboa Park. Four years after its construction, the velodrome was the site of the Senior National Championships/Olympic Trials.

In the past twenty years, the San Diego Velodrome has hosted a number of prestigious cycling events including:

  • 1990 Junior National Track Championships
  • 1990 Masters National Track Championships
  • 1991 Masters National Track Championships
  • 1991 Masters World Track Championships
  • 1996 Masters National Track Championships
  • 1997 EDS Track Cup, Round One
  • 1997 Collegiate National Track Championships
  • 1998 Junior National Track Championships
  • 2001 American Track Racing Association Race One
  • 2003 World Cup Qualifier

    • In addition to hosting track cycling events, the velodrome has been the site for human powered vehicle racing and testing, in-line speed skating racing and training, and duathlon events.

    Every year, the U.S. National Sprint Team utilizes the facility during its winter training camp. Due in part to the good weather of Southern California, many World Championship and Olympic Team members have recognized the advantages of year-round training and have called the San Diego Velodrome home, including:

  • Rebecca Twigg, 1992 Olympic Bronze Medallist, 3000m Pursuit
  • Steve Hegg, 1984 Olympic Gold Medallist, 4000mPursuit
  • Jane Quigley, 1995 Pan American Games Gold Medallist, 3000m Pursuit and Points Race
  • Dirk Copeland, 1991 Pan American Games Silver Medallist, 4000m Pursuit
  • Ken Carpenter, 1988-1992 National Champion, Match Sprint
  • Renee Duprel, 1987 Pan American Games Silver Medallist, Match Sprint
  • Bobby Livingston, 1988 National Champion, Kilometer
  • Erin Mirabella, 2000 Olympic Team Member, 3000m Pursuit and Points Race
  • Shaun Wallace, two-time Olympian for Great Britain

    • The San Diego Velodrome has also produced a number of successful Masters riders in recent years including Victor and Joyce Copeland, Jim and Elaine Miller, Jim Cushing-Murray, Mark and Pate Rosenthal, Doug Kyle, Steve Zoumaras, Thomas Weisel and John Creed.

    With its ever-growing youth program, adult classes and elite training, the San Diego Velodrome continues to develop interest in fixed-gear cycling and mold future champions.