AIGLE: Glasgow will host the first multi-disciplinary cycling world championships in 2023, organisers said on Friday, bringing to fruition an idea championed by International Cycling Union (UCI) president David Lappartient.

“This innovative new multi-disciplinary cycling event will bring together 13 existing UCI cycling World Championships into one mega event to be held every four years, commencing in Glasgow and Scotland in 2023,” organisers said in a statement on Friday.

“Thousands of cyclists, representing all regions of the world, will vie for the iconic rainbow jersey at this landmark event to be held in Scotland — the perfect stage for events. Over several weeks, the host city and/or region will become the true cycling capital of the world.”

Lappartient said of the event, to be held every pre-summer Olympic year: “I am delighted that the UCI has today awarded the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships to Glasgow and Scotland. The creation and the implementation of this event was one of the commitments I had made during my campaign for UCI presidency, and I am proud to have fulfilled it.”

Glasgow will host most events over a two-week period in August featuring road and track races, plus mountain bike, BMX and para-cycling.

The 2023 gathering is the result of a partnership between the Scottish Government, EventScotland, British Cycling, UK Sport, Glasgow City Council and event owners, the UCI.

The world cycling championships for each discipline take place in different locations each year.

Lappartient, who was elected in 2017, said last year he wanted “the world championships of every discipline to come together in the same location every four years”.

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2019