A whole bunch of Americans will need to fly to Gossau, Switzerland this winter to defend their 2013 Cyclocross Masters World Championships earned in Louisville, KY.
Defending this jersey this season got more expensive and requires a trip to Switzerland. © Cyclocross Magazine
The UCI announced on Wednesday that it awarded World Championships for the following cities:
• 2014 UCI Cyclocross Masters World Championships will be held in Gossau, Switzerland;
• 2015 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships will be held in Vallnord, Andorra;
• 2016 UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships will be held in Laissac, France; and
• 2016 UCI Track World Championships will be held in London, UK.
Announcing the awards, current UCI President Pat McQuaid, in the middle of a heated election to retain his presidency, congratulated the host city organizers for their commitment to cycling. “It is a great pleasure to see towns and cities so enthusiastically supporting our different cycling disciplines – and not only the events catering to professionals but also the very important championships for Masters athletes.”
McQuaid continued, “On behalf of the UCI, I would like to thank and congratulate these four future hosts of the major UCI events taking place in the next three years. Their enthusiasm and commitment means that we can be sure the events will live up to the expectations of competitors and spectators alike.”
The UCI also announced that the first edition of the UCI Cycling Forum, which brings together all of cycling’s stakeholders, will be held between the 25-29 November 2014 in the Olympic capital of Lausanne, Switzerland.
The award for the 2014 Cyclocross Masters World Championships is for two years, just as it was for Louisville, KY, but our sources indicate there are several different cities with aspirations of hosting the event as early as 2015.
While in China, Cyclocross Magazine spoke with Peter van de Abeele, the UCI’s cyclocross coordinator, about the Masters World Championships, and while he confirmed the event will be in Switzerland, he said that details are still to come about the event given that it was just announced (after months of uncertainty for anxious American Masters racers). Stay tuned as we bring you all the details on the 2014 Masters World Championships.
Update: Reports are that the event is currently scheduled for January 4, 5, 2014, which would put the event just days before the 2014 Cyclocross National Championships. Some US racers are trying to reach the UCI in attempt to get the event moved in dates. Stay tuned.
