A three-way partnership is bringing the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships to Dumfries & Galloway this summer, providing multiple benefits for the region.
The agreement reached by Dumfries & Galloway Council, the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships and South of Scotland Enterprise has ensured the area will witness the world’s best para-cyclists this August.
From 3 to 13 August 2023, the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships will be hosted in Glasgow and across Scotland. It will be the world’s biggest cycling event in history, bringing together for the first time 13 existing UCI World Championships into one mega event.
The Championships races include the individual road race, individual time trials and mixed team relay, all offering local and visiting spectators a fantastic opportunity to enjoy these fast paced and exhilarating races.
Alongside a range of other partners, Dumfries & Galloway Council, South of Scotland Enterprise and UCI Cycling World Championships are working closely together to ensure the Championships present a wide range of benefits to the local area.
Economically, it is expected to boost the region’s economy by £1million and attract 10,000 visitors.
Socially, it is hoped the staging of these races as part of the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds will help and encourage more local people to jump on a bike for commuting and leisure pursuits, which can in turn help address issues such as fuel poverty, community isolation and general health and wellbeing of residents.
This landmark investment will support the South of Scotland Cycling Partnership Strategy’s aim of making cycling the most popular choice for shorter, everyday journeys by 2032 in the region.
In addition, the Strategy aims to embed the freedom and joy that cycling can provide in the lives of local people, helping the South meet regional and national Net Zero targets.
Cllr Ian Blake, Chair of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Communities Committee said:
“We’re very much looking forward to working with SOSE and the UCI to bring this world class event to Dumfries and Galloway.
“To be part of the world’s biggest cycling event is something we’re not only excited for, but also immensely proud that we can host the Para-Cycling road race and time trial here, in our region.”
Cllr Jackie McCamon, Vice Chair of the Council’s Communities Committee said:
“The forecast £1million worth of economic impact is vindication of why we bid for events like this to come to our part of the world.
“Presenting the region on the world stage is something we have become very good at, and I welcome the support of SOSE and UCI in making this happen and I’m sure it’ll be a major success story for Dumfries & Galloway.”
Professor Russel Griggs, Chair of SOSE, added:
“We are delighted to be working with Dumfries & Galloway Council and UCI to support the delivery of para-cycling at the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds.
“On the other side of the South, we are also working with Scottish Borders Council and the Championships, as Glentress Forest prepares to host three mountain biking UCI World Championships.
“This is a hugely exciting time and through working closely with our partners we can maximise the benefits the power of the bike can bring to the South of Scotland.”
Trudy Lindblade, CEO of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships added:
“We are extremely pleased to have Dumfries & Galloway as a host region within the Championships and to be working with such committed and enthusiastic partners across Dumfries and Galloway Council and South of Scotland Enterprise.
“This stunning region will provide a welcoming and wonderful experience for riders and spectators during Championships time.
The strategic vision set out by the Council and South of Scotland Enterprise for longer term investment in cycling demonstrates the positive impact major events can have on local communities.
“The Championships will provide a springboard to promote Dumfries & Galloway and the South of Scotland as a cycling destination and encourage cycling for wellbeing and social development, demonstrating the power of the bike and the many benefits it can bring.”
To encourage participation in cycling, the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships have partnered with Love to Ride to launch the 23 Million Mile Challenge.
The organisers are challenging everyone to sign up and contribute to their collective target of 23 million miles cycled across the UK ahead of the biggest cycling event in the world. Registrations are open at cyclingworldchamps.com/23-million-mile-challenge.
