Imagine being a young rider and being told you have the chance to race at a UCI World Championship venue directly before your idols!
Well, that has become a reality. Working with the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships as an Official Activation Partner, Scottish Cycling will be staging youth races at those very venues this August.
Titled ‘Race The Worlds’, the series will feature regional qualification races across the country, with qualifiers going on to earn a place to race at the Race the Worlds Finals taking place during this summer’s 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. So, if you dream of being the next Isla Short, Reece Wilson or Finn Crockett what are you waiting for!
Race the Worlds is a key part of Scottish Cycling’s overarching Ride The Worlds programme which will be delivered throughout Scotland in the lead up to and during August’s event and aims to engage with as many cyclists and cycling fans as possible by giving them the opportunity to experience the thrill of the event and inspire them to make cycling a sport for life.
The Race the Worlds regional qualifiers will take place across Scottish Cycling’s five regions. The regional qualifiers will be super fun racing that anyone can take part in, no matter your ability level or aspirations, with a lucky few qualifying for the chance to go on and race at the World Championship venues this August.
Speaking of the opportunity, Team Scotland’s Commonwealth Games Road Race bronze medallist, Finn Crockett, said:
“I wish this opportunity had been available when I was a youth rider! My cycling journey started out in dirt crits up in the North of Scotland, before progressing to MTB racing and later the road. It was all about having fun, and enjoying my cycling, and this looks pretty awesome!
“My advice to youth racers from all over the country is give this a go – you won’t regret it. And it’ll be even better for those lucky few who will get the chance of a lifetime, but you’ve got to be in it to win it!”
Launching this exciting new programme, Scottish Cycling’s Head of Development and Participation, Sophie McCall, said:
"Race the Worlds will provide young people from across Scotland with the opportunity to connect to the Cycling World Championships, experience the thrill of a World Championship race, have a taste of racing themselves, and inspire and empower them to make cycling a sport for life, delivering a long-lasting impact and developing a nation of cyclists."
Craig Burn, Director of Strategy and Policy Impacts for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships said:
“The Race The Worlds series is a once in a lifetime opportunity for young riders across Scotland to get involved and earn their place to compete in finals on the perfect stage during the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
Establishing a programme of regional events that culminate in finals during the World Championships is a fitting way to showcasing the grass roots of the sport and ensure memories, hopes and dreams are created. Cycling has the power to transform lives and, through opportunities like Race The Worlds, will hopefully inspire the next generation of cyclists for the future.”
Key info
The racing will take place across four disciplines: Dirt Crit, Mini DH, Road Crit and Pump Track
Racers must be in the following categories: U12 Boys, U12 Girls, U14 Boys, U14 Girls, U16 Boys, U16 Girls
Which qualifier do I ride: You can race as many of the regional qualifiers as you like, but you’ll only be eligible to qualify for the finals based on the local authority you live in.
Want to find out more? Then head to our specific Race The Worlds pages, which outlines all the rules and regs, and has the full calendar of Race The Worlds Regional Qualifiers.
Calendar
Events subject to change.
Mini-DH
Event |
Region |
Date |
Venue |
Enter |
Organiser |
Qualifier |
East & Central |
Saturday 13th May |
Newcastleton |
Rock UK |
|
Qualifier |
South West & West |
Saturday 27th May |
Ae Forest |
Aessocation/Bike Shop |
|
Qualifier |
North East |
Sunday 18th June |
The Lecht |
Deeside Thistle |
|
Qualifier |
North |
Sunday 2nd July |
Laggan |
Laggan Forest Trust |
|
Final |
World Champs |
TBC |
TBC |
Qualifying Only |
Scottish Cycling |
Pump Track
Event |
Region |
Date |
Venue |
Enter |
Organiser |
Qualifier |
North East |
Saturday 6th May |
Kennoway |
Scottish Cycling |
|
Qualifier |
East & Central |
Saturday 20th May |
Hawick |
Velosolutions/ Hawick Pump Track |
|
Qualifier |
South West & West |
Sunday 28th May |
Bellshill |
Results to follow |
Scottish Cycling |
Qualifier |
North |
Sunday 11th June |
Boat Of Garten |
Scottish Cycling | |
Final |
World Champs |
TBC |
TBC |
Qualifying Only |
Scottish Cycling |
Road Circuit
Event |
Region |
Date |
Venue |
Enter |
Organiser |
Qualifier |
North |
Monday 1st May |
Grampian Cart Track |
Elgin CC |
|
Qualifier |
East and Central |
Tuesday 6th June |
West Lothian Cycle Circuit |
West Lothian Clarion |
|
Qualifier |
South West & West |
Saturday 10th June |
Kames Motor Circuit |
East Kilbride RC |
|
Qualifier |
North East |
Wednesday 14th June |
Fife Cycle Park |
Fife Council’s ActiveFife |
|
Final |
World Champs |
TBC |
TBC |
Qualifing Only |
Scottish Cycling |
XC Dirt Crit
Event |
Region |
Date |
Venue |
Enter |
Organiser |
Qualifier |
East & Central |
Friday 26th May |
Callendar Estate |
Results to follow |
Falkirk Junior Bike Club |
Qualifier |
South West |
Saturday 3rd June |
Kirroughtree |
Galloway Hillbillies BC |
|
Qualifier |
West |
Saturday 17th June |
Chatelherault |
Clydesdale Colts |
|
Qualifier |
North East |
Sunday 25th June |
Middle Den |
Middleden MTB Club |
|
Qualifier |
North |
Saturday 1st July |
Laggan |
Results to follow |
Laggan Forest Trust |
Final |
World Champs |
TBC |
TBC |
Qualifying Only |
Scottish Cycling |