HADLEIGH Park will become a focal point of British cycling, double Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton has predicted.

The gold medallist was among the VIP guests at the park for Friday’s official re-launch the 2012 Olympic mountain biking track as a public venue.

The site has been redesigned to suit riders of all abilities and now offers a cafe, children’s play area and, soon, a bike shop.

Track cyclist Ms Pendleton, 34, praised the venue and said she believed future Olympic champions would now hone their skills at Hadleigh.

She said: “We have a world-class facility, in the same way as Manchester is the home of British track cycling.

“People will want to be a part of it and in the south of the country especially, it is going to be a significant venue for anyone who wants to train, or be an elite athlete.

“It has everything, in terms of facilities to make it a really good day out.”

The 2008 and 2012 Olympic champion hopes children will also develop a passion for cycling through using the course.

She said: “I was lucky enough to be introduced to cycling by my father and if this facility had existed, I can guarantee we would have made a beeline for it.”

School groups are already using the site and elite riders will visit next month for the British national championships.

Gary Sullivan, chairman of Active Essex, said: “It is immensely satisfying to get to the end of this chapter, but we have a long way to go to make this sustainable.

“It is important to inspire our young people and it is great we are going to have the national championships here, “However, we also need to be accessible to eight and nine-year-olds from Essex.

“We are also encouraging businesses to come here for away days, hire out some bikes and get out there.”

Culture, Media and Sport Secretary and Essex MP John Whittingdale hailed Hadleigh Park as proof of Britain’s Olympic legacy.

He said: “We said it was not enough just to host a fantastic games, Hadleigh Park will encourage more people to take up cycling and mountain biking.”

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Hadleigh Park success could be blueprint for future

HADLEIGH Park should become a springboard to boost the south Essex economy, according Essex County Council leader David Finch.

Mr Finch also believes the “inspirational” venue could promote similar projects in future.

He said: “This is an opportunity to stimulate business in this area to meet the needs of tourists and bring industry here, whether it is creating mountain bikes or helping support the venue.

“It is an inspirational site and as a council, we are asking what we can do which is just as imaginative and exciting, in terms of other sports facilities.

“This place has captured the imagination of the sporting community and we can use it as a springboard.”

Hadleigh Park is the first Olympic mountain bike venue to be retained as a permanent course at the end of the games.

Officials hope riders will even come from abroad to test their skills, but Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris is keen to encourage locals to make the most of it, too.

She said: “It brings people into the borough, spending money, but I also hope Castle Point residents will see the facilities here.

“It’s a brilliant place to bring kids or just to have a walk and look at the stunning view.”

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