Glasgow could host first combined World Cycling Championships in 2023

Glasgow is in the running to become the first city to host the inaugural combined World Cycling Championships, an event that will include road, track, BMX and mountain biking.

In September, the UCI announced that the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships would for the first time bring together multiple disciplines – road, mountain bike (cross-country Olympic, cross-country Marathon and downhill), track, BMX Racing, Urban Cycling (BMX Freestyle Park, trials and mountain bike Eliminator), para-cycling road and para-cycling track, indoor cycling and Gran Fondo.

UCI president David Lappartient said the event would turn the host city “into a true world cycling capital,” for its three-week duration.

Glasgow Live reports that Glasgow City Council and EventScotland approached the UCI about hosting the event and have until February to put the city’s case forward. It is estimated that doing so would benefit the Scottish economy by £67m.

In a report to the city administration committee, Depute Leader of the council, David McDonald, said: “This will be the biggest cycling event in the world with over 100 countries represented and over 200 World Champions being crowned during the course of the Championships.

“The huge media interest will guarantee worldwide broadcast coverage delivering massive international profile for both Glasgow and Scotland.”

McDonald added: “Being the first ever hosts of this event, which will become the pinnacle of the international cycling competition calendar, will cement Glasgow and Scotland’s position as a worldwide leader and innovator in the planning and delivery of major sporting events.

“Uniquely, We have the opportunity to host a World Championships of this scale, unchallenged, and without the resource and cost implications of undertaking a formal and time-consuming bid process as would be the case for any other World Championships.”

A decision on whether to progress with the bid will be made next week.