Mo Rush
May 11th, 2007, 04:17 PM
CYCLING
World Champs in Cape Town
Fri, 11 May 2007
Over 70 countries have entered the 2007 UCI B World Championships to be held in Cape Town. The event, which takes place from 26 June through to 1 July, incorporates track competitions at the Bellville Velodrome, Individual Time Trials in Wellington and a Road Race through Cape Town, which incorporates the Cape Argus/Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour route as well as additional laps of the circuit.
Event Director Alec Lenferna says the entries so far by more than 70 countries shows the popularity of Cape Town by contestants.
In comparison, the last world championships in Switzerland recorded 45 entries.
Leading up to the event, a number of high profile meetings will take place in the city, these include the UCI Annual Board meeting, The Confederation of African Cycling’s General Assembly and a commissaire seminar.
During these deliberations, South Africa will make a final bid to host the 2010 BMX World Championships and the 2012 Mountain Biking events and a variety of World Cup events between 2008 and 2012 and beyond.
Lenferna says, “As a precursor to and qualifier for, the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, this is a prominent event on the international cycling calendar and also a chance for the other nations to ‘get a foot in the door.’ We are delighted that it has come, not only to Africa, but to the Mother City.”
The primary aim of this world championship is to create an opportunity for those nations where cycling is not necessarily considered to be a major sport to qualify riders and teams for the Olympic Games — hence the staging of it a year prior to the Olympics.
The secondary objective is to allow those riders who do not qualify for the Elite Championships, or who may not have an opportunity to ride for a fully professional team in ongoing competitions, an opportunity to compete against other riders of a similar level.
It is also seen as a development event where young, up-and-coming riders can gain experience.
To this end, South Africa has been given special dispensation as the host country to enter a development team.
They will have an opportunity to ride in national colours and work towards a qualification in either the 2008 or 2012 Olympics as elite riders.
During a recent visit to South Africa Dr Wagih Azzam, President of the Confederation of African Cycling, endorsed South Africa’s hosting of the event.
He said that, “Apart from the covered track and the good road infrastructure, South Africa is a desirable venue as a result of its accessibility from both east and west lying countries, its good positioning in terms of international television broadcasts as well as the fact that the organizers have an excellent track record in the staging of major events in the city.”
He said that the Confederation and the UCI were confident that the organizers would be able to stage an event of the very highest calibre.
Entrance for spectators will be free to all venues and public and supporters are welcome to join in the festivities.
So, for the professional cycle race watchers or the first time public, the event promises to be exciting and rewarding, showcasing the talent of the riders and the professionalism of the organizing team.
World Champs in Cape Town
Fri, 11 May 2007
Over 70 countries have entered the 2007 UCI B World Championships to be held in Cape Town. The event, which takes place from 26 June through to 1 July, incorporates track competitions at the Bellville Velodrome, Individual Time Trials in Wellington and a Road Race through Cape Town, which incorporates the Cape Argus/Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour route as well as additional laps of the circuit.
Event Director Alec Lenferna says the entries so far by more than 70 countries shows the popularity of Cape Town by contestants.
In comparison, the last world championships in Switzerland recorded 45 entries.
Leading up to the event, a number of high profile meetings will take place in the city, these include the UCI Annual Board meeting, The Confederation of African Cycling’s General Assembly and a commissaire seminar.
During these deliberations, South Africa will make a final bid to host the 2010 BMX World Championships and the 2012 Mountain Biking events and a variety of World Cup events between 2008 and 2012 and beyond.
Lenferna says, “As a precursor to and qualifier for, the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, this is a prominent event on the international cycling calendar and also a chance for the other nations to ‘get a foot in the door.’ We are delighted that it has come, not only to Africa, but to the Mother City.”
The primary aim of this world championship is to create an opportunity for those nations where cycling is not necessarily considered to be a major sport to qualify riders and teams for the Olympic Games — hence the staging of it a year prior to the Olympics.
The secondary objective is to allow those riders who do not qualify for the Elite Championships, or who may not have an opportunity to ride for a fully professional team in ongoing competitions, an opportunity to compete against other riders of a similar level.
It is also seen as a development event where young, up-and-coming riders can gain experience.
To this end, South Africa has been given special dispensation as the host country to enter a development team.
They will have an opportunity to ride in national colours and work towards a qualification in either the 2008 or 2012 Olympics as elite riders.
During a recent visit to South Africa Dr Wagih Azzam, President of the Confederation of African Cycling, endorsed South Africa’s hosting of the event.
He said that, “Apart from the covered track and the good road infrastructure, South Africa is a desirable venue as a result of its accessibility from both east and west lying countries, its good positioning in terms of international television broadcasts as well as the fact that the organizers have an excellent track record in the staging of major events in the city.”
He said that the Confederation and the UCI were confident that the organizers would be able to stage an event of the very highest calibre.
Entrance for spectators will be free to all venues and public and supporters are welcome to join in the festivities.
So, for the professional cycle race watchers or the first time public, the event promises to be exciting and rewarding, showcasing the talent of the riders and the professionalism of the organizing team.