A velodrome circuit flourished around the country, with the best racers earning $100,000 to $150,000 a year at a time when carpenters were lucky to make $5,000.
Over the years, the velodrome hosted various cycling championships.
The main change was that the velodrome that surrounded the stadium was replaced by galleries, thereby increasing its original capacity to around 95,000.
The original velodrome, which was built in 1964 and made of concrete, was renovated in 2003.
The velodrome was constructed between 1957 and early 1960.
Championships are held for men and for women, on the road, on a velodrome, cross-country and indoors.
The velodrome has a 250-metre cycling track and spectator facilities for 3,000 people.
Until 1989, the arena had clay tracks for athletics (and originally also for cycle races, though it has never been anything like a velodrome).
