The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the cycling’s global governing body, organises the annual UCI World Championships to crown a world champion in various cycling disciplines.
As an inclusive initiative, in 2023 nearly all of the disciplines will be held in one place over a few weeks. Glasgow and the surrounding areas will host men's and women's road cycling, track cycling, mountain biking, BMX freestyle, BMX racing, trials, and indoor cycling championships from 3-13 August. In addition, there are championships for disabled cyclists in both road and track cycling. Winners of championships are given the privilege of wearing "the rainbow jersey," which is a white jersey with coloured bands around the chest until the next champion is chosen.
The various events taking place include:
- UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships (3-8 August) · Emirates Arena & Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Glasgow
- UCI Mountain Bike (DHI) World Championships (3-5 August) · Nevis Range Mountain Experience, Fort William
- UCI Track Cycling World Championships (3-9 August) · Emirates Arena & Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Glasgow
- UCI Urban Cycling World Championships (5-12 August) · Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow
- UCI Road Cycling World Championships (5-13 August) · Various Road Routes (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling)
- UCI BMX Racing World Championships (6-13 August) · Glasgow BMX Centre, Glasgow
- UCI Mountain Bike (XCO/XCC/XCM) World Championships (6-12 August) · Glentress Forest, Peebles
- UCI Para-Cycling Road World Championships (9-13 August) · Dumfries & Galloway Road Route
- UCI Indoor Cycling World Championships (11-13 August) · Emirates Arena & Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Glasgow
Track cycling is perhaps the most popular of the cycling disciplines due to its fast and tactical nature. With a selection of races suiting specialists in sprint or endurance cycling, there is something for everyone at the velodrome. Held at the state-of-the-art Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in the east end of Glasgow, there are morning sessions and evening sessions from 3-8 August and an evening session on 9 August. Track cycling and para-cycling track will combine at this event with a range of qualifying and finals taking place at each session. Ticket prices for morning sessions start at GBP £15 and for evening sessions start at £30.
Having a range of World Championships in one place makes it easy to discover a less well-known discipline. BMX racing has recently seen a huge boost in interest thanks to the high-tempo displays at the Olympic Games with racers speeding around an undulating serpentine track in under a minute. Perhaps mountain biking is more your thing with its various disciplines like downhill, cross-country short track, cross-country, E-MTB, and cross-country marathon. Or you could take in the indoor cycling with artistic cyclists displaying gymnastic skills on 2 wheels, and cycle-ball competitors playing a form of football!
As well as great value tickets, some of the events are free to attend! Make sure to turn up early for a spot along the routes to watch the road races, or even to enjoy the BMX freestyle flatland and trials events at Kelvingrove Park for free!
You can find all the events and tickets for the 2023 UCI World Championships in Scotland here!