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Scottish national road champion Kayleigh Brogan was in Glasgow today to help launch the British Cycling National Road Race Championships (NRRC) taking place in Glasgow from 20 to 23 June 2013.
Leader of Glasgow City Council, Councillor Gordon Matheson, British Cycling Board Member Alasdair Maclennan, Scottish Cycling’s Chief Executive Craig Burn and Depute Provost John Campbell from East Ayrshire council were all on hand to show Kayleigh the route.
The NRRC is the highlight of the national elite road racing calendar in the UK and attracts the biggest names in the sport such as Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish and Lizzie Armitstead.
For the first time the championships will take place in an urban environment with the race weaving through the heart of the city. The road race course will feature elements of the proposed route for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Another first for the championships will be the inclusion of the National Time Trial Championship contested as part of the same weekend as the road race events. The time trial will run through East Ayrshire on Thursday 20 June.
Both the men’s and women’s races will take place on Sunday 23June starting at Glasgow Green. The course will run through the city centre, taking in the world-renowned shopping hub of Buchanan Street, before carrying on to the west end of the city where it will pass through Glasgow’s beautiful Kelvingrove Park. The course will then circuit the west end before heading back towards the city centre and the finish at Glasgow Green.
As well as spectator areas at Glasgow Green there are many opportunities along the route for spectators to join in the fun and watch the action as it unfolds.
Against the backdrop of Glasgow’s streets, Britain’s top road cyclists and teams will be competing to get their hands on the coveted red, white and blue National Champions striped jersey. The shortlist of riders taking part will be announced in the fortnight prior to the event.
Councillor Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Cycling has really grown in popularity recently with the success of British athletes at the London 2012 Olympic Games and the Tour de France. To get the chance to see world class cyclists competing here on our door step is great for Glasgow and Scotland.
“There will be a real buzz around the city that weekend and I hope that people will turn out to soak up the atmosphere and show their support. Businesses too can benefit from the increased number of visitors to the city.
"We’re certain that Glasgow will do a great job of delivering this, the latest major sporting event to be hosted in the city this year."
British Cycling board member Alasdair Maclennan
“We are committed to bringing major sporting events to the city and developing sport at all levels. The new Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome at the Emirates Arena has already played host to the UCI Track Cycling World Cup and in August will welcome the next generation of cycling stars at the UCI Juniors World Track Cycling Championships.”
British Cycling board member Alasdair Maclennan, said: “Glasgow was the strongest of a number of exciting bids for to host the 2013 National Road Race championship, further cementing its reputation as a major cycling city after last years Track World Cup and with the Junior Track World champs in August. We’re certain that Glasgow will do a great job of delivering this, the latest major sporting event to be hosted in the city this year.”
Scottish Cycling’s chief executive, Craig Burn, added: “We are delighted that the British National Road Race and Time Trial Championships are coming to Glasgow and the surrounding area. It will give cycling fans all over Scotland the chance to see world class cycling stars in action on home soil, right in the heart of the city.”
“I have no doubt that world class events taking place in Scotland will aid the development of cycling in this country, by providing inspiration to our current riders and encourage spectators all over Scotland to try their hand at this fantastic sport.”
“Over the past ten years cycling in this country has gone from a minority pass time to become one of the UK’s fastest growing sports and right across Scotland and the UK we have seen a substantial growth in the number of people taking part in cycling. Here in Scotland we have seen a 109% increase in membership in the last four years.”
Paul Bush OBE, chief operating officer for EventScotland, said: “Cycling is a hugely important part of Scotland’s annual sporting event portfolio and with the Glasgow Commonwealth Games on the horizon it is fitting that we will host the British Cycling National Road Race Championships this year. Scotland is the perfect stage for events, and the Championships will showcase Glasgow ahead of 2014, and promote live road cycling to a new city audience.”
Depute Provost John Campbell, East Ayrshire Council said: “East Ayrshire Council is absolutely delighted to be a part of this incredibly exciting event. Cycling has well and truly grasped the imagination thanks to the sterling efforts of our cyclists at London 2012 and, of course, Sir Bradley Wiggins winning last year’s Tour de France.
“Stewarton will play host to the National Time Trial Championships and the streets of East Ayrshire will come alive as the best cyclists in the country compete for the winner’s jersey.”
