Mixed-gender race praised

– The International Cycling Union says it has received a warm reception for plans to hold a mixed men’s and women’s national team event, which will make its debut at the 2019 world championships in Yorkshire.

UCI president David Lappartient (above), British sports minister Tracey Crouch and female cyclists have hailed the move as a great step forward.

The event will see a team of three male cyclists complete a 14km lap with the women’s team setting off on the same circuit once the second rider in the men’s team crosses the line.

The final time will be taken when the second of the three women riders crosses the finish line, with the overall quickest time winning.

“We have had good feedback from women so far,” Lappartient said.

“Not only have they [women] been put on the same level as the men by the fact that there are three men and three women, the women finish the race so it’s them that set the time.

“I wanted the women to be the ones who finish so that in that way you have to watch the women to see who wins, which is another small victory for women’s cycling,” Lappartient said. – AFP

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