Wellington to host cycling champs
2007-04-12
CYCLING enthusiasts can look forward to some fast-paced action when Wellington plays host to the UCI B World Championships in June this year.
To make sure the planning for this big event is on track, Dr Wagih Azzam, president of the African Cycling Confederation and president of the UCI World Championships Supervising Committee, visited Wellington recently to evaluate the individual time trial route for the championships.
The UCI B World Championships is a qualifying event for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and as many as 65 nations from all over the world are expected to compete for the 15 slots on offer for the Olympics.
Wellington has been selected to host the individual time trial due to existing strong links with cycling events in the country (the town and surrounds host two stages of the Cape Argus Pick ’n Pay Cycle Tour).
“The venue was selected due to the record of excellent traffic management when events of this nature are staged, together with the wonderful scenery that will be a backdrop to the cyclists' endeavours.
It will be beamed all around the world on the international television feed,” Dr Azzam said after meeting with a group consisting of a local councillor, a Drakenstein sport representative and a traffic official.
Azzam expressed complete satisfaction with all that he saw during his evaluation visit and looks forward to returning for the event later in the year together with all of the UCI Management Board.
The UCI B World Championships are being staged from 26 June to 1 July and will see track competitions being raced at the Bellville Velodrome from 26 to 28 June.
The individual time trial competition will be staged on 29 June in Wellington and the individual road race in Cape Town on 1 July.
Entrance will be free to all venues and public and supporters are welcome to join in the festivities and be part of the biggest and most prestigious cycling event ever staged on the African continent.
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