Reflections on the UCI Cycling World Championships 2023
Don’t be sad it’s over; be happy it happened. And oh wow, did the UCI Cycling World Championships have an impact! In the Tweed Valley, which played host to the cross-country mountain bike events, the riders put their all into five incredible days of racing, and the community and spectators put their all into cheering them on.
From the gruelling marathon course that pitted the racers against 96.5km of the Tweed Valley’s most scenic trails, with punishing climbs and classic descents including the infamous New York, New York trail, to the high-octane racing of short-track cross-country, every day brought highs, lows, emotions galore and of course newly minted World Champions.
From my perspective, it was one of the most incredible things I’ve had the privilege to be a part of. I love racing, but there really is nothing like seeing it up close, personal and live. You don’t just watch the drama of the race and the glory of the result; there’s the build up, the tentative working out of the course as riders get ever more confident on features that I know for sure I’d bottle out on. There’s the sheer grit and determination on the faces of riders who know they’re not in contention for a medal, but give it their all none the less, because they are riding for their nation and they are racing for their own personal victories. There’s the crowds of spectators who have travelled halfway around the world to support a loved one as they race their heart out, and the local volunteers who have donated their time to welcome everyone to their home, and without whom this event couldn’t happen.
Every person I spoke to has left the event with indelible happy memories; the warm Scottish welcome, the beautiful scenery and of course the fact that the world’s greatest mountain bikers put tread to trail right here. There’s something both surreal and astounding seeing the likes of Tom Pidcock or Pauline Ferrand-Prévot riding your local hills.
And one thing is for sure - this event will leave a legacy. It will surely have inspired the next generation of riders and racers, thanks in part to the fact it was broadcast on mainstream TV on the BBC. But also in the new trails that have been developed in and around the cross-country race tracks which will be opening later this year. I know I’m not alone in looking forward to riding them! Last but not least, there’s the work Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland has done on the next Scottish Mountain Bike strategy.
An event like this only happens thanks to years of effort from communities and organisations, and with continued focus, mountain biking in Scotland can only go from strength to strength.
