UCI chief Cookson concerned over Rio track delay

World cycling chief Brian Cookson says he is concerned about delays to the Olympic test event in Rio de Janeiro after the company responsible for providing the wooden boards was changed by Games organisers.

The Velodrome, under construction, at the Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on February 3, 2016 (Getty) Source: Getty Images

The event has already been pushed back two weeks, although Rio organising committee president Carlos Nuzman said in London this week that the event would go ahead on April 29-May 1.

Speaking at the world track championships on Saturday, Cookson said he thought that date would be "a challenge".

However, he said he believed Rio would be ready.

"I have no doubt there will be a velodrome ready and functional to the required standards for the Olympic Games," he said. "There is no alternative. That's the straight answer."