Yorkshire awarded UCI Road World Championships in 2019

The world’s top cyclists are once again set to descend on Yorkshire after the region won the bid to host the UCI Road World Championships in 2019.

Yorkshire’s stunning scenery is set to be showcased to millions as riders such as Mark Cavendish and recent winner Tony Martin compete in five categories over nine days of racing.

Riders will visit all parts of the county over the course of the championships, with organisers confirming that some of the Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire routes will also be used.

This means that visitors to Flower of May’s holiday parks will once again have a front row seat to some of the best cycling action seen in the UK for over 30 years.

‘Even bigger than 2014’

The UCI Road World Championships in 2019 is set to be a far bigger event than the Grand Depart – the start of the Tour de France in 2014 – which was a huge draw for visitors. Thousands of spectators lined the routes throughout the county, with banners in towns, villages and on top of the region’s biggest peaks.

The bid to host the championships was submitted by Welcome to Yorkshire, British Cycling, UK Sport and the Department of Culture Media and Sport. The UK Government has guaranteed to underwrite the full cost of the event and back it with £24 million of investment.

The news of the successful bid was welcomed by Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire.

“We are delighted and honoured to announce that Yorkshire has been chosen to host the 2019 UCI Road World Championships,” he said.

He told the Guardian that although it wouldn’t be possible to visit every town, city and village, the championships would use some of the Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire routes.

“The objective is to visit every part of Yorkshire, north, east, west and south,” he said.

“Yorkshire has shown it can host world-class events with the Grand Depart 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.”

Fact file:

• The UCI Road World Championships is one of the most prestigious events on the professional cycling calendar.
• Future UCI Road World Championships:
• 2017 – Bergen (Norway)
• 2018 – Innsbruck (Austria)
• 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 takes place over nine days and 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.

News of the successful bid was welcomed by organisers and ministers.

UCI President Brian Cookson OBE 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 added: “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.”

Keep up to date with all the latest information on the championships, including on the planned route, by visiting the official website.

Flower of May Holiday Parks are the perfect place to catch all the action from the UCI Road World Championships in 2019, with parks across the length and breadth of this beautiful county.