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British Cycling is inviting applications from towns, cities and regions who are interested in hosting the 2015 British Cycling National Road Championships.
The process to award the hosting of the biggest occasion on the domestic road calendar follows hugely successful championship in Glasgow in 2013 witnessed by over 35,000 spectators and the recent award of the 2014 championships to the county of Monmouthshire.
Background information on the championship
Each year, usually one calendar week before the Tour de France, all the European cycling nations host their national road championships on the same weekend. The championships consist of a time trial (usually taking place on a Thursday) and a road race.
In each discipline there is a men’s race and a women’s race with an under 23 category as part of each.
With some of the best riders in the world residing here in the UK, the championships attract a field that draws fans from across the country to witness the championship bringing widespread exposure and economic impact for the host. Previous champions include Sir Bradley Wiggins, Nicole Cooke, Geraint Thomas, Lizzie Armitstead and Mark Cavendish.
For the last three years the championship has been broadcast on ITV. British Cycling is seeking a host venue for the 2015 championship.
What is involved in hosting the championships?
The host venue is responsible for creating the conditions for the championships to take place delivering the championship and for underwriting the costs of delivering the event. These costs are outlined in an example budget that is published here.
The broad areas of responsibility for the host venue:
- Working with British Cycling to agree suitable courses for the respective championship races.
- Organise and Implement any road closures and traffic management required to enable the races to take place.
- Recruiting the volunteers and staff to roles required for the operational aspects of the event and managing their work before and during the championships.Marketing the event to bring spectators to the roadside.
What does the host venue get from the championships?
With over 100 riders competing in the time trial and over 200 in the road races, plus accompanying team personnel, one of the biggest benefits of hosting the championships comes through the economic impact derived directly from the participants in the race. These attendees alone provide over £200,000 of spend within the host region.
As well as economic impact for the region, the British Cycling National Road Championships also provide a strong positive impact on the profile of a region, generating coverage in the run up to, during and after the event through TV, press, radio and online.
In order to help the host venue recoup some of the cost of the event and to enable the host to emphasise its role in the event, 50% of the marketing rights of the event are awarded to the host for itself and its local sponsors.
How does the application process work?
The documentation that follows enables a host venue to work through all the logistical and financial challenges that hosting an event of this size carries with it.
The illustrative budget that is attached gives an idea of historical costs of delivering the event, but it is the responsibility of the applicant to understand the costs that are specific to their venue.
The host venue is asked to prepare a written submission for British Cycling to consider, this may be augmented by use of other materials such as video.
Before submitting their bid to host the championship, applicants are welcome to contact British Cycling for an informal discussion about any aspect of the award process.
How are bids judged?
Assuming a bid is compliant with the criteria listed in the application form, the following key areas which will be considered when judging bids to host the championship:
Budget
Bids will be judged on the perceived viability of the event budget
Sport and technical
This will include (but not be exclusive to) aspects such as Course design, infrastructure and planning around the delivery of the event, event facilities and event format
Venue
Includes the suitability and aesthetic qualities of the start/finish venue, the ability to implement necessary road closures and the ability to engage and fund appropriate police support/presence
Commercial
Involves consideration of the event sponsors/partners already committed to the bid and to the event should it be awarded to the nominated host.
Legacy and added value
This will be a broad ranging look at the commitment to and capacity for the delivery of cycling events in partnership with British Cycling in subsequent years as a result of hosting the championship. We will also consider peripheral/supplementary activity taking place under the auspices of the host that enhance the event and/or tie in with broader British Cycling programmes.
