Pietermaritzburg has been named as the host for the 2016 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships following a meeting of the UCI Management Committee in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The KwaZulu-Natal capital is known as ‘Africa’s Bike City’ and has already hosted a number of UCI events.
Cycling South Africa’s Para-cycling Commission Director Mike Burns says the decision has been welcomed locally and internationally.
“The World Championship event is an extremely important final event in which nation points will be earned ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics,” he told Sapa. “Riders are very excited about coming to South Africa. It will be a first for most of the competitors.
“There will be quite a bit of adapting in terms of racing technique on an imperial distance track. Adding to that factor, they will be racing on an open track, which will add another set of variables, not encountered in an indoor velodrome.
“This is certain to add something unique to the competition.”
His words were echoed by Cycling South Africa’s President, William Newman, who said: “We are very happy to be awarded yet another prominent World Championship event in Pietermaritzburg.
“It is fantastic for our para-cyclists, and it is the first time that the Para-cycling Track World Champs will be coming to Africa. We are very proud to be hosting the event.
“It is a great opportunity for our Para-cyclists to be competing in an event of this stature, on home soil, and a fantastic accolade for Pietermaritzburg to once again host an event of a high calibre.”
The main events will be the Time Trial, Pursuit, Team Sprint and Scratch races.
