Built on former marshland, the Piste du Vélodrome de Saint-Denis stands as a testament to cycling’s golden age. The Vélodrome de Saint-Denis opened in 1928. It was built by the Club Vélocipédique Dionysien (CVD). This club, founded in 1892, boasted Olympic champion Lucien Michard among its members. Imagine the excitement in July 1928 as the Vélodrome de Saint-Denis was inaugurated. Two CVD cycling greats, Lucien Michard and Lucien Faucheux, were present. Michard, the 1924 Olympic sprint champion, and Faucheux, a world championship runner-up, graced the opening ceremony. The Piste du Vélodrome de Saint-Denis isn’t just a track. It is a symbol of the CVD’s ambition. The club also trained Robert Oubron, a five-time French cyclo-cross champion in the 1940s.
The Piste du Vélodrome de Saint-Denis was inspired by the Vélodrome d’Hiver in Paris, built in 1909. This 250-meter cement track, now covered with resin, hosted prestigious events. The Prix Émile Friol, an international speed race, and the Course de l’Espérance were held here. The Vélodrome de Saint-Denis also hosted the finale of the Grand Prix Cycliste de L’Humanité. This race, organized by the newspaper L’Humanité from 1927 to 1979, brought national attention to the venue. On a memorable day in 1988, Hervé Boussard shattered the French 100-kilometer record on this very track, clocking in at 2 hours, 24 minutes, and 4 seconds. The Grand Prix International de Vitesse de Saint-Denis attracted top talent. Even Olympic medalists like Jason Kenny and Grégory Baugé competed here.
The Piste du Vélodrome de Saint-Denis holds a unique place in cycling history. Initially built on a rectangular plot of around 9,000 square meters, the city of Saint-Denis took over its management in 1933. Enclosed by a wall, the Vélodrome de Saint-Denis has three carriage entrances. The official entrance, located in the western corner, still stands as it did originally, alongside the keeper’s residence and a building that once served as a cafe and meeting room. Extending from these structures were the official stands, distinct from the now-vanished popular stands across the track. A fascinating feature of the Vélodrome de Saint-Denis is its underground tunnel. This tunnel, also made of reinforced concrete, provides access to the central lawn without disrupting races. Imagine cyclists whizzing by overhead as groundskeepers tended the field below. The riders’ quarters, situated in the northeast, consist of 28 wooden cabins. A sanitary block, designed by architect Gaston Martin, was added in the late 1950s. Though plans for an indoor sports hall and ice rink were considered in the 1960s, they never materialized. The Piste du Vélodrome de Saint-Denis remains a protected site under the Local Urbanism Plan. Despite renovations in 1984, 1999, and a major overhaul in 2013, costing over 200,000 euros, it retains its historic charm.
The Piste du Vélodrome de Saint-Denis stands as a testament to a bygone era. It is a place where cycling legends raced and records were broken. As you stand here, try to imagine the roar of the crowd and the thrill of the race. The Vélodrome de Saint-Denis, a true gem of French cycling history.