St Albans students race around Olympic VeloPark at schools festival

Cycling in the tracks of sporting legends like Sir Bradley Wiggins and Laura Trott were pupils from Samuel Ryder Academy, at a London 2012 Olympic venue.

Students at the St Albans school were among hundreds of young people who enjoyed cycling for free at Lee Valley VeloPark during its second annual Schools Festival.

Described as the world’s best cycling venue, the velodrome at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park welcomed secondary school pupils from every London borough, as well as all districts throughout Herts and Essex to cycle at the event.

Samuel Ryder teacher Gill Holton said: “Our Year 12 and 13 BTEC students were so excited to come – there might well be some new cycling recruits!”

Paul Osborn, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority chairman, said: “We fund these school festivals to give young people from across the region the chance to try sports for free in our inspirational venues.

“In 2015 alone over 1,000 young people will have taken part in these events. We hope visitors will be inspired to continue cycling.”