A fan watches on during the UCI Cycling World Championships THE UCI Cycling World Championships were simply dazzling. Over 11 days, a million people roared on competitors around the roads, trails, parks and stadiums of Scotland from Fort William to Dumfries. So many iconic sporting moments will be remembered on courses that were a stunning showcase of Scotland’s landscape and heritage. The “Power of the Bike” was the championship’s headline and it lived up to all expectations, powering up Scottish tourism and getting unprecedented global TV coverage.
The championship organisers should be rightly proud of how they managed and delivered such a world-class event. The city of Glasgow in particular can take a bow, but so too all those other partners, the 4000 or so volunteers and the Scottish Government.
There was something special about the feel of all the events I attended. Thousands of avid cycling fans from across the world were brought together with huge numbers of folk who were just inspired by what was happening right on their doorstep.
The events showed a confident Scotland, welcoming and at ease with itself. Many visitors I spoke to said how they will return again to explore our country. It bodes well for future events too. Hosting the Grand Départ of the Tour de France should be the next major target. Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky celebrates following victory in the Women’s Elite Road Race (Image: Will Matthews)
Now the cowbells are packed away, thoughts turn to what the long-term legacy from the championships […]
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