UCI boss believes everyone ‘on board’ with timing of Glasgow World Championships

UCI president David Lappartient is confident there is no opposition to the changes to cycling’s calendar as Glasgow gets ready to host the inaugural combined World Championships in August 2023.

The event will bring together 13 existing world championships for the first time, including road, track, BMX and mountain biking as well as the likes of Gran Fondo and indoor cycling.

The concept of a combined championship – scheduled for every four years ahead of the Olympics – was part of the manifesto of Frenchman Lappartient when he was elected head of cycling’s world governing body ahead of Britain’s Brian Cookson in 2017.

The 2023 Cycling World Championships will run over 11 days from August 3 to 13 across Scotland, the UCI announced on Wednesday.

Five venues have already been confirmed for Glasgow so far, including BMX freestyle at Kelvingrove Park and racing in Knightswood, while the track and para-cycling will take place at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, with George Square marking the finish line of the road events.

Artistic cycling and cycle ball will also be included at Emirates Arena, while Dumfries and Galloway will welcome the world’s best para-cyclists, with other event locations still to be announced.

Changing to a single event in Scotland, rather than individual competitions spread over the year and around the world, has not been an easy ride.

Lappartient, though, remains confident the unique combined spectacle can prove a major success for all the different disciplines.

“Of course switching from the end of September (when the road championships would have taken place) to the middle of August is not a normal thing in the calendar,” Lappartient said.

The new championships will take place between the Tour de France