UCI ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS COMING TO YORKSHIRE IN 2019

UCI ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS COMING TO
YORKSHIRE IN 2019
Yorkshire’s reputation as a world-class cycling destination was cemented today after the
county was chosen to host the 2019 UCI Road World Championships.
The sensational news was announced by UCI President Brian Cookson OBE from Doha, Qatar
which is currently hosting the 2016 UCI Road World Championships.
The collegiate bid was compiled between Welcome to Yorkshire, British Cycling and UK Sport
and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The government has committed to invest
£24 million into the event, £15 million of that budget will be used to develop 27 cycle sport
facilities across the UK which will leave a lasting legacy at grassroots level. In addition, there
is £3 million of National Lottery funding from UK Sport.
The decision enhances Yorkshire’s global reputation for cycling, which began in 2014 with the
Tour de France Grand Départ and has continued ever since with the annual Tour de Yorkshire.
Mr Cookson was full of praise for the Yorkshire’s application and is predicting an event to
remember.
He said: “The UCI Management Committee is pleased to award the UCI Road World
Championships to Yorkshire in 2019. Since hosting the Tour de France’s Grand Départ in 2014
and subsequent Tours de Yorkshire, the county has proved it is a fitting host for road cycling’s
leading annual event and we are sure there will be world class crowds to match.”
Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport said: "I am delighted that our bid to host the UCI Road World
Championships in 2019 has been successful. The government is backing the event with
investment to stage the Championships and leave a legacy that will help strengthen cycling at
the grassroots across the country.

“As a nation we have a great history in staging some of the biggest events in sport and I look
forward to working alongside Welcome to Yorkshire, British Cycling and UK Sport on these
Championships. Yorkshire has embraced major cycling events in recent years and I know the
county will put on a fantastic show in 2019."
Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said: “Today marks a moment in
history. Yorkshire has shown it can host world-class events with the Grand Départ and Tours
de Yorkshire, and now the county has been chosen to host the nine-day UCI Road World
Championships in 2019.
“We have got the scenery, the crowds, and the warm welcome, and we are sure the world’s
best riders will love the challenging roads we have to offer.”
Simon Morton, Chief Operating Officer of UK Sport, said: “To secure such a prestigious event
is testament to the UK’s reputation as a world class host of sporting events and our continuing
commitment to inspire the nation through sporting success.
“Working in partnership with Government, British Cycling and Welcome to Yorkshire we are
confident the 2019 UCI Road World Championships will deliver a lasting legacy for a sport that
achieved such incredible success at Rio 2016.
“To host the championships in 2019 will also give British athletes the opportunity to compete
in front of a passionate home crowd as they fine tune their preparations for the Tokyo 2020
Olympic Games.”
Ian Drake, Chief Executive of British Cycling said: “To get £15 million to invest in cycle sport
facilities is massive and will truly leave a lasting legacy for this event.
“While we’ve been building dozens of new facilities over the last decade, this is an
opportunity to ensure that every area of Britain has close access to a closed road circuit,
velodrome, BMX track or mountain bike trail.
“This is transformational for the sport and will inspire thousands of people to take up cycling.”
Denise Burton-Cole – a World Championships bronze medallist in 1975 and daughter of twotime
world champion Beryl Burton OBE – believes this is a momentous day for Yorkshire.
She said: “The news that Yorkshire is set to host the UCI Road World Championships in 2019
is incredible. My mother would have been very proud, as I am proud, for Yorkshire to be
hosting such an important event.

“Mum and I travelled the globe representing Great Britain at the UCI Road World
Championships. How marvellous it would have been for us to compete in it in Yorkshire, our
home county. It would have been so special. Now the best riders in the world are going to
have that opportunity. Am I envious? You bet I am!”
To celebrate, first direct arena Leeds, Trinity Leeds shopping centre, and English Heritage’s
Clifford’s Tower in York will be lit up in the colours of the iconic UCI rainbow stripes tonight
while the bid film is being broadcast on big screens on Millennium Square in Leeds.
FACT FILE
The UCI Road World Championships is one of the most prestigious events on the
professional cycling calendar.
Future UCI Road World Championships:
o 2017 - BERGEN (NORWAY)
o 2018 - INNSBRUCK (AUSTRIA)
o 2019 - YORKSHIRE (GREAT BRITAIN)
1,000 of the best male and female riders from around 75 countries around the globe
compete for the chance to win the iconic rainbow jersey.
The event involves 12 races over eight days in this nine-day event.
It includes individual and team time trials as well as full road races for Under 18, Under
23 and Elite riders.
6,000-7,000 national federation members, delegates, technicians and journalists set
to be in attendance.
A predicted global televised audience in excess of 300 MILLION.
The full route of the race in Yorkshire will be announced over the coming months.
DIGITAL
Website – www.yorkshire2019.co.uk; Twitter - @yorkshire2019;
Facebook - facebook.com/yorkshire2019; Instagram - instagram.com/yorkshire2019
Please use the hashtag #Yorkshire2019
IMAGES: https://yorkshire.box.com/v/WorldsYorkshire
PRESS KIT: www.Yorkshire.com/presskit

For further information, contact:
Welcome to Yorkshire:
Nick Howes – Head of Sports Media
Email: nhowes@yorkshire.com
Telephone: 0113 322 3505
Mobile: 07590 964 828
Department of Culture, Media & Sport:
Jose Riera - Head of Sport, Tourism and Culture Communications
Email: jose.riera@culture.gov.uk
Telephone: 0207 211 6971
Mobile: 07825 057 405
UK Sport:
Paul Cox – Head of Communications
Email: paul.cox@uksport.gov.uk
Telephone: 0207 211 5106
Mobile: 07803 178 212
British Cycling:
Kirsty McCaskill-Baxter - Communications and Public Affairs Manager
Email: kirstymccaskillbaxter@britishcycling.org.uk
Telephone: 0161 274 2115
Mobile: 07538 089 527