Stirling to host time trial event at 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships

Stirling has been announced as the venue for the time trial event during the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

It’s the seventh venue to be confirmed for the inaugural event to be held across Scotland in August next year.

It will combine 13 existing cycling world championships, including track, BMX and para-cycling, into one major tournament.

Former Olympic champion Chris Boardman, who won the opening time trial of the inaugural Pru Tour in Stirling in 1998, returned to the city to make the announcement.

He said: “It was black and white when I was last here, a quarter of a century ago. It was the first stage of the Pru tour, the tour of Britain and it finished here at the castle, a spectacular backdrop.

“I think that’s what this World Championships is going to get in spades – scenery and just showing off Scotland to the world.

“I think it’s an amazing festival of sport and there’s something in it for people even of you don’t follow the sport of cycling it’s a reason get involved, to go out and watch this spectacular event and then maybe go and do something with the family and have a ride around yourself.

“Hopefully, the effect of it will spread out much further than just watching exciting competition.”

Five of the other venues are in Glasgow, while the para-cycling road event will take place in Dumfries & Galloway.

Scottish cyclist Anna Shackley, who made her Olympic debut in the time trial in Tokyo last year, is from Milngavie in East Dunbartonshire.

She said: “I can’t think of a better place to ride. I live just down the road, basically. These are my training roads. It means a lot to me just to think of people coming to see where I am.

“I’m very proud to say I’m from here and I’d happily show it off to anyone. When people see that all these professionals are coming to the town and cycling, I think it inspires people to ride.”