Bid to bring World Cycling Championships to Yorkshire

The women elite's race at the UCI Road World Cycling Championships in the US Credit: PA

Welcome to Yorkshire has submitted a bid to host the UCI Road World Championships in 2019.

Chief Executive Sir Gary Verity formally presented the application to UCI President Brian Cookson hoping to bring another world-class cycling event to the county.

Welcome to Yorkshire’s bid was compiled in partnership with British Cycling and UK Sport, and the UK Government has guaranteed to underwrite the full cost of the event and back it with £24 million of investment.

The bid is unrelated to Welcome to Yorkshire’s offer last week to step in and help organise the UEC Road European Championships following Nice’s decision to withdraw from hosting. Those Championships will now take place next month in Brittany.

The UCI Road World Championships is one of the most prestigious events on the professional cycling calendar, with the best male and female riders from around the globe competing for the chance to win the iconic rainbow jersey.

The event takes place over eight days and includes individual and team time trials as well as full road races for Under 18, Under 23 and Elite riders.

Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive Sir Gary Verity said: “It would be an absolute honour to host the 2019 UCI Road World Championships."