Yorkshire to host the 2019 World Cycling Road Championship

Yorkshire’s has been chosen to host the 2019 UCI Road World Championships.

The news was announced by UCI President Brian Cookson OBE from Doha, Qatar which is currently hosting the 2016 UCI Road World Championships.

The collegiate bid was compiled between Welcome to Yorkshire, British Cycling and UK Sport and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The government has committed to invest £24 million into the event, £15 million of that budget will be used to develop 27 cycle sport facilities across the UK which will leave a lasting legacy at grassroots level. In addition there is £3 million of National Lottery funding from UK Sport.

Millions came to see the Tour de France in Yorkshire in 2014 Credit: PA

The decision enhances Yorkshire’s global reputation for cycling, which began in 2014 with the Tour de France Grand Départ and has continued ever since with the annual Tour de Yorkshire.

Mr Cookson was full of praise for the Yorkshire’s application and is predicting an event to remember.

He said: “The UCI Management Committee is pleased to award the UCI Road World Championships to Yorkshire in 2019. Since hosting the Tour de France’s Grand Départ in 2014 and subsequent Tours de Yorkshire, the county has proved it is a fitting host for road cycling’s leading annual event and we are sure there will be world class crowds to match.”

Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport said: "I am delighted that our bid to host the UCI Road World Championships in 2019 has been successful. The government is backing the event with investment to stage the Championships and leave a legacy that will help strengthen cycling at the grassroots across the country."

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said: “Today marks a moment in history. Yorkshire has shown it can host world-class events with the Grand Départ and Tours de Yorkshire, and now the county has been chosen to host the nine-day UCI Road World Championships in 2019.

To celebrate, first direct arena Leeds, Trinity Leeds shopping centre, and English Heritage’s Clifford’s Tower in York is being lit up in the colours of the iconic UCI rainbow stripes tonight while the bid film is being broadcast on big screens on Millennium Square in Leeds.