BUDDING BMX riders were given a first look at plans for a new £2 million track with two years to go until it hosts the Glasgow 2018 European Championship.

The site in Knightswood Park will be the first and only world championship and Olympic standard BMX track in Scotland and only the second in the UK. And it is the only new venue to be built for the 2018 event.

Local clubs, schools and community groups will use the site along with the Western Titans BMX Club who will call it home.

Western Titans member Harrison Bell, aged eight, is currently ranked fourth in the world in his age category.

He said: “I am looking forward to the new track so much as I’ll be able to go every day and train and ride a world-class track right on my doorstep.

"I’ll also get to watch my heroes in action at the Glasgow 2018 European Championships which will be inspiring. I hope it’ll help make BMX more popular in Scotland which will mean more riders that I can compete against. For my own racing development – the sooner it gets here the better.”

Existing European Championships in the sports of athletics, aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon and a new golf team event are all coming together for the 2018 championships in Glasgow and Berlin. It is a new sports partnership for the world stage every four years and a potential TV audience of more than 1 billion.

Aileen Campbell, Scottish Government minister for sport, said: “I’m delighted that the Scottish Government has been able to support the 2018 European Championships.

"This is a fantastic concept for European sport, so it’s tremendous that we can be at the forefront of that, welcoming all these world-class athletes to Glasgow, and other venues across Scotland.

"We have a growing reputation when it comes to hosting major events like this, and I’m sure the people of Scotland will embrace these championships as only they can.”

Councillor Frank McAveety, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “With exactly two years to go excitement is building ahead of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships, which will see our city shine on the global stage once again.

"It is a testament to our recent investment in world-class sports facilities that the only venue being built ahead of Glasgow 2018 is the new BMX track at Knightswood Park which will be a lasting legacy for future generations.”

About 3,000 athletes will visit Glasgow in 2018 for aquatics, cycling, golf, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon, while another 1,500 athletes go to Berlin for the athletics.