Invercargill to host UCI Juniors World Cycling Championship

New Zealand has been awarded the 2012 UCI Junior World Track Cycling Championship to be staged in Invercargill.

BikeNZ were notified of the decision today by the Union Cycliste International (UCI), the sport’s ruling body.
The prestigious world championship, set for August 2012, is expected to attract up to 400 riders from more than 30 countries.

BikeNZ, who applied for the championship in association with Cycling Southland, said the championship would provide a massive boost for the sport.

“It will provide a huge profile for the sport in this country. The best young riders in the world will be here and without doubt many will go on to compete in the 2016 Olympics and among them will be some absolute supercars of the future,” said BikeNZ CEO, Kieran Turner.

“A large majority of the current stars in the sport, whether that is on the track or the road, have come through the world junior championships. It’s going to be an opportunity to see tomorrow’s stars today.”
Mr Turner said it will also provide the ultimate platform for New Zealand’s emerging cycling talent.
“It will be a remarkable opportunity for our young riders to gain invaluable experience and world class competition right here in our backyard.

“We have real financial constraints in sending teams away. For instance this year there’s only 10 riders going to the junior worlds in Russia and while we are putting in a six-figure amount, each rider has to find more than $9,000 to compete.

“So the junior worlds in New Zealand will give us the chance to fill our full allocation of spots and provide a real kick-start to our Olympic campaign for 2016 and beyond for our high performance riders of the future.”
The key part to the successful application is the international facility at the ILT Velodrome in Invercargill.
“The world championships must now be indoors and the ILT Stadium is a recognised world class venue. And the folk at Cycling Southland are fantastic both in their enthusiasm and expertise in handling major events.”

The championships will present a major profile for Invercargill as a cycling venue as well as a significant economic boost to the region.

“We are thrilled to bits with the news,” said Cycling Southland president, Stephen Canny.
“Of the suite of international cycling events, we believe this one is one of the best to secure both from a cycling and economic perspective because the World Junior Championships traditionally attract a large numbers of families and supporters.

“Southland’s proven record or hosting quality events, strong cycling community and world class ILT Velodrome are key to delivering what is regarded as an iconic International cycling fixture.”

It is the second time New Zealand has hosted the event which was last held outdoors at Wanganui in 1983, while BikeNZ also staged the 2006 Mountain Bike World Championships in Rotorua and will host the UCI Mountain Bike Trials World Cup later this year.