Glasgow welcomes the world of wheels
WHEn david Mcdonald, chair of glasgow life and deputy leader of the city council, took to the podium yesterday to describe Scotland’s largest city as ‘Europe’s sporting capital’ his words were undoubtedly fuelled by more than just a dollop of hyperbole.
Of course, the likes of london, Berlin, Paris and a few others just might have something to say about that claim. Still, you can’t blame the throng of local politicians and staff who piled into the Emirates arena for almost bursting with civic pride.
If for a while it had looked like the 2014 Commonwealth games would be the pinnacle of glasgow’s sporting achievements, then the city has subsequently proved itself to be a very versatile and welcoming host. The inaugural multi-sport European Championships came to town last summer, while next month it will be the European indoor athletic championships taking centre stage. next summer, there will be Euro 2020 football at Hampden to look forward to.
Yesterday, though, it was all about cycling as UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) president david lappartient flew in from France to announce that glasgow had been chosen as the host of the first-ever combined cycling world championships.
Traditionally held in different cities at different times throughout the year, the 13 different disciplines will now be held every four years in the one country starting from 2023.
The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome — where delegates including dame Katherine grainger posed for photos to mark the announcement — will host the track events, while there will also be competitions held at the BMX Centre in Knightswood, as well as the traditional road and mountain biking races.
The two-week event will bring the world’s best riders to Scotland as they fine-tune their preparations for the Olympics in Paris the following year, and Rio gold medallist Callum Skinner (below) felt it would serve as a significant fillip for cycling in this country.
‘The world championships is a fantastic event — with that iconic rainbow jersey for all the different winners — so to have it all in the one city, in the one country, makes a lot of sense,’ he said. ‘One of the nice things about this is there will be some mass participation events and, with the number of people spectating and volunteering, there is really a chance for everyone in Scotland to play a part in these world championships. ‘I think it’s a great thing to have all the disciplines in one city. Sometimes people’s passions for cycling can be limited to one discipline, so if you come to the city because you’re a road cycling fan you’ll have so many opportunities to take in BMX, track or mountain biking, so it will really broaden your horizons.
‘glasgow really needs to capitalise and keep the momentum up from the Commonwealth games and the European Championships.
‘They’ve invested so much in the facilities and it would be great to see them to be continue to be utilised, and for the athletes to continue to put on a great show.’