As a Londoner wins the Tour, the capital bids for 2016 World Track Championships

On the day that a Londoner won the Tour de France comes the equally welcome news that the capital is to bid to host the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in 2016.

With cycling at an all-time high, it seems the perfect time for the Mayor, Boris Johnson, and British Cycling to get behind the bid, which would see the event held at the Olympic Park.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, told British Cycling: “Huge congratulations must go to Bradley Wiggins. His incredible determination, focus and will to win blew away the rest of the field and propelled this legendary Londoner to the summit of his sport.

"His inspirational performances, ably supported by his fellow Team Sky riders including Brits Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish, will encourage thousands more people to take to two wheels.

"And I want our great capital city to play its own part in the cycling revolution that is taking place by hosting the track cycling world championships in 2016.

"This is the best sports city in the world and the wonderful velodrome we have built in east London would be packed to the rafters for such an event.”

British Cycling will now work on the bid together with London & Partners and other agencies, with a view to holding the event in the Lee Valley Velodrome. Although Manchester and Glasgow's velodromes also expressed interest, it was thought that the Olympic site offered the greatest potential for an event that was last seen in the UK in 2008.

Jonny Clay, Cyclesport and Membership Director at British Cycling, said: "Success in our sport has always been anchored in Manchester and that city remains the home of British Cycling.

"In that context it was always going to be tough to consider hosting a worlds anywhere else, but we felt that the potential impact for the sport and for cementing the reputation of the velodrome in London meant that this time, the Lee Valley velodrome was the right partner for ourselves.”