British Cycling, in partnership with Manchester City Council and UK Sport, has announced that the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup will return to the city in April 2015.
The two-day competition will take place at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester. The world-renowned BMX venue will be hosting the world’s premier BMX series for the third time following two successful events in 2013 and 2014.
The event is part of UK Sport’s Gold Event Series, which aims to bring seventy world class sporting events to the UK by 2019.
The 2015 event in Manchester will be the opening event in a five-stop global series which will also see rounds held in Papendal (Netherlands), Engelholm (Sweden), Santiago del Estero (Argentina) and Rock Hill, South Carolina (USA).
The 2014 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in Manchester attracted record crowds with a sell-out on Saturday night. Spectators were treated to British victory for the second year in succession as 2013 world champion Liam Phillips took home the honours on both evenings of racing in the men’s competition.
British Cycling Olympic Academy Programme athletes Kyle Evans and Charlotte Green also thrilled the home crowd, both achieving top five finishes in Saturday night’s finals.
Jonny Clay, British Cycling’s cycle sport and membership director, said of the announcement: “We are delighted that Manchester has been awarded a round of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup for the third year in succession.
“As well as providing the valuable opportunity for our British athletes to compete for qualification points for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on home soil, the event presents an exciting weekend of entertainment for BMX fans of all ages. The opportunity to watch the best BMX riders on the planet compete here in Manchester once again is truly inspirational.”
Councillor Rosa Battle, Manchester City Council’s executive member for culture and leisure, said: “Manchester is proud to once again host the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup at the world class BMX Centre, based at the National Cycling Centre.
“We have been privileged to host the event for the last two years and it has proved incredibly popular, with spectators being treated to thrilling contests between some of the very best BMX riders.
“The competition is a remarkable spectacle and has proved inspirational to young people across the city - previous events have seen hundreds of school children attend practice sessions helping foster a passion for the sport.
“This announcement is a reminder that Manchester is the home of British Cycling and as well as the BMX Centre boasts the velodrome and the Clayton Vale Mountain Bike Trail. These superb facilities are not only used by elite cyclists by are open for anyone to test their cycling prowess.”
Simon Morton, UK Sport’s director of major events and international relations, commented: “UK Sport is delighted that the 2015 BMX Supercross World Cup in Manchester has become the 40th event we’ve supported since London 2012 through our Gold Event Series. We’re confident that this event will help support GB’s top riders as they progress on their journey to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.”
Tickets for the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in Manchester are expected to go on sale in autumn 2014. More information will be released later in the year with the latest news available on the official event website www.bmxsuperx.com.
