The Legacy of the Event

British Cycling is not only committed to delivering the highest quality International events but also to ensuring that those events leave a lasting legacy for the future development of the sport in the UK.

The work that British Cycling has done and continues to do with Yorkshire Forward, North Yorkshire County Council and Ryedale District Council is a shining example of the ‘no event without legacy' ethos which British Cycling has adopted.

But how is this achieved? To decide where in the UK to bid to take the UCI Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Cup in 2010, British Cycling undertook an equitable tendering process which allowed any region in the UK to bid to host the event. Whilst the questions within the tender encouraged the bidders to highlight a fantastic venue, event experience and funding security for such an event it also placed significant emphasis on the region's ability to fund and deliver great legacy for mountain biking in the region.

Yorkshire presented an extremely strong bid on both fronts and as such was selected as the best region to work with to host the event. But has this transpired into reality...? Yes, it certainly has! To date Yorkshire partners have funded the creation of a brand new competition course in Dalby Forest. This course, designed by Simon Burney (UCI), Martin O'Vastar (Forestry Commission) and Jonny Clay (British Cycling), with input from Oli Beckingsale (Giant Factory Team) and Nick Craig (Scott UK) will not only prove a challenging course to the Junior and Elite World Cup riders but will also remain as a legacy for the region, providing a demanding way marked trail for Black Run riders and a training venue for GB Cycling Team.

Our partners in Yorkshire have also committed to funding a full-time Go-Ride Coach for three years for the region. This Coach will work with local Clubs and schools to encourage young people to get involved and stay involved in cycling. Focusing on off-road cycling, the Coach will be able to make use of the new course and other pre-existing trails in Dalby Forest.

So far the legacy may appear rather Dalby-centric, but this will not remain the case. Yorkshire Forward has also committed to the development of a second mountain bike event venue with race course and associated trails to compliment the centre for the region. A feasibility study is about to be undertaken to determine the best location for this development which will provide not only an additional course for Regional, National and International mountain bike cross-country racing to take place but also provide a recreational hub for use by the wider population of the region.

And that's not all. There are further plans bubbling away to develop even more trail centres in the region but the detail around these is yet to be concluded....as soon as further details are available we'll let you know!

So legacy really does live...in Yorkshire!

 

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