UCI cycling showcases 'power of the bike' in George Square takeover

The organisers of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships have marked one year to go until the event with an eye-catching demonstration at George Square.

The demonstration highlighted the unique bikes of the various disciplines that will be part of the event in Glasgow and across Scotland from August 3-13.

Council leader Susan Aitken was joined by Nnine-time UCI Trials World Champion rider Jack Carthy, local BMX Freestyle Flatland rider Reece Thomson, and German artistic cyclist Ramona Dandl were joined by the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships CEO, Trudy Lindblade at the event on Wednesday.

Passers-by were able to learn more about the competition coming to Scotland as well as see the power of the bike up close through a trials demonstration by Carthy as Dandl and local Thomson also wowed the crowd with gravity-defying stunts.

Jack Carthy said: “It’s a great privilege to be able to mark one year to go until the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships and share in the excitement for an event of this calibre with an exciting display in George Square.

“Scotland is the perfect location for the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds, and I look forward to being here next year and witnessing the world’s top athletes in action.”

Susan Aitken said: “We are delighted to mark one year to go until Glasgow and locations across Scotland welcome thousands of spectators and athletes from around the world.

“Glasgow has a proud history of hosting world-class sporting events as a top 5 global sporting city look forward to providing a great experience for all involved.

“The Championships will inspire people across Glasgow to get on their bikes, travel sustainably on our growing network of high quality, segregated cycling infrastructure and help us on our journey to reach our net zero targets.”

Alongside the one year to go celebrations, a new campaign entitled ‘All Kinds of Amazing’ has been launched to showcase both the event and “the power of the bike”.

The multi-channel, domestic campaign featuring across outdoor, social, and digital channels will celebrate the breadth of cycling disciplines through key visual assets and a short film.

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will be the first time all 13 UCI World Championships have been combined into one “mega-event”, making it the largest event in cycling history.

Audiences in Scotland and around the world will see more than 8,000 amateur and elite cyclists from more than 120 countries, pedalling for glory with more than 190 UCI World Champions to be crowned.

The 13 UCI World Championships included in the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships are: BMX Freestyle Flatland; BMX Freestyle Park; BMX Racing; Gran Fondo; Indoor Cycling; Mountain Bike Cross-country; Mountain Bike Downhill; Mountain Bike Cross-country Marathon; Para-cycling Road; Para-cycling Track; Road; Track; Trials.