Glasgow to host inaugural combined World Championships in 2023

Glasgow will become the first city to host the inaugural combined World Championships in 2023, cycling’s world governing body the UCI has announced.

Katie Archibald after winning the women's omnium elimination race of the track cycling at the 2018 European Championships in Glasgow. Picture: Getty Images

The event will bring together 13 existing World Championships for the first time, including road, track, BMX and mountain biking, turning the host city “into a true world cycling capital” according to UCI president David Lappartient.

Last month, Glasgow Live reported that Glasgow City Council and EventScotland approached the UCI about hosting the event.

In a report to the city administration committee, Deputy Leader of the council, David McDonald, said: “This will be the biggest cycling event in the world with over 100 countries represented and over 200 world champions being crowned during the course of the championships.

“The huge media interest will guarantee worldwide broadcast coverage delivering massive international profile for both Glasgow and Scotland.

“Being the first ever hosts of this event, which will become the pinnacle of the international cycling competition calendar, will cement Glasgow and Scotland’s position as a worldwide leader and innovator in the planning and delivery of major sporting events.

“Uniquely, we have the opportunity to host a World Championships of this scale, unchallenged, and without the resource and cost implications of undertaking a formal and time-consuming bid process as would be the case for any other World Championships.”

Scotland and Britain cyclist Katie Archibald is the reigning women’s world champion in the Madison event, along with Team GB colleageu Emily Nelson.