Part of the "mojo" for the Vigorelli is that it's not 333 meters, but 397 meters.
Leads to some different tactics in sprinting and complicates the starting locations for the pursuits and kilos.
Part of the magic of my visit to the Masi factory in 1984 was stepping on to old track and examining the wooden surface and the unusual track markings.
I had attended a National Commissaires seminar in 1983 in which a great deal of time was spent explaining the purpose of the various lines on a track. Since I was from Southern California, I'd never seen a track that wasn't 333 or 250m.
Officials (commissaires) are ranked as riders are in the US, progressing from Category 4 to 3 to 2 to 1. National Commissaires have additional training in international (UCI) rules and procedures. List member Ken Wallace is also a National Commissaire. Regrettably, both Ken and I exceed the age limit to become International Commissaires.
Jim Allen San Marcos, CA
Grant McLean wrote:
> from http://www.cyclingnews.com
>
> Roof for Vigorelli velodrome?
> Some major improvements may be in the works for the famed Vigorelli
> velodrome in Milan, Italy. The velodrome has played host to a number of
> world hour records and other historic events, as well as finishes for road
> races and Giro d'Italia stages.
>
> The 333m wooden track received recent restoration work, thanks to Mapei's
> Dr. Squinzi. Now it appears that the Comune Milano is interested in building
> a roof over the track. With funds remaining from the Italia Novante World
> Cup soccer tournament proceeds, a proposal will be presented by Milano
> Sport, which runs all sporting facilities in Milan. This proposal will be
> put before the Lombardia region for approval. Reportedly the funds are
> available, and the project only needs the region's approval to proceed.
>
> GMclean
> toronto.ca