The track and para-cycling track competitions at the first UCI Cycling Worlds will be held in Glasgow’s Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, named after Scotland’s track cycling star Sir Chris Hoy.
The eleven-time UCI World Champion and six-time Olympic gold medallist relishes his role as Ambassador of the biggest cycling event ever, which will see 13 separate UCI World Championships into 11 days of full-on action.
The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships are coming to Scotland and the track and para-cycling track events will be held in the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow. Are you ready to welcome the world?
Chris Hoy (CH): Absolutely! I’ve been looking forward to the moment we can welcome the world to Scotland and show them the passion we have for cycling. It was always a dream for myself and my club mates back in the mid-90s to have an indoor velodrome in Scotland. Now we have a world class facility that can not only hold top level international competitions, but it allows the next generation of cyclists to experience track cycling all year round, regardless of the weather.
What can we expect from the local fans?
CH: They’re knowledgeable, appreciative of top performances, and extremely vocal - particularly when the home riders are on the attack! I’ve always felt that crowds set the tone for a venue and Glasgow has certainly never been lacking in excitement.
For the first time, fans will have the opportunity to follow all kinds of cycling events in the same area, in just a couple of weeks. How should they decide which ones to watch?
CH: It’s going to require some planning to make sure you don’t miss out on all the action; but it is possible to sample all the different disciplines that the UCI Cycling World Championships have to offer. You’ll want to see the home riders that have the best podium chances as these will go down in history as iconic moments.
You practised different disciplines during your career. What are the benefits of such variety?
CH: I believe that it’s important not to specialise too young, to try as many disciplines as possible and keep developing bike handling skills, speed, reactions but most importantly having fun. BMX was a fantastic entry into cycling for me, and I raced MTB, cyclo-cross, time trial, road and finally track, so I had a really broad experience that helped me throughout my whole career.
The UCI Worlds will hopefully inspire kids to get on a bike. Why should they?
CH: Because riding a bike is one of the most fun things you can do, and the best part is you can do it for your whole life! Cycling is for everyone, it doesn’t have to be for sport - you can use a bike for transport, to keep fit, to meet friends, or just purely for the fun of it.
What’s the most amazing thing that cycling has given you?
CH: Self-belief and confidence that I can achieve what I set my mind to.
And what’s your biggest dream for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships?
CH: That it sparks a whole new generation of people who fall in love with cycling.