Flanders ready to bid for 2021 Road World Championships, says sports minister
The Worlds have not been held in Belgium since Zolder in 2002
Flanders could be the host of the 2021 UCI Road World Championships, with the region's sports minister saying it is ready to stand as a candidate.
The UCI is due to announce it's selection for 2021 host in September this year, with prospective candidates able to apply up until June. The 2021 edition of the Worlds will mark a centenary of rainbow bands, with the first amateur Worlds road race taking place in 1921.
>>> Miss the old Tour of Flanders? Omloop Het Nieuwsblad returns to Muur van Geraardsbergen finale
A professional race was introduced in 1927 and ran in conjunction before the amateur version was scrapped after the 1995 race.
Flemish sports minister Philippe Muyters has reportedly got a 3.5m euro budget for hosting the races, which will include individual time trials and team time trials as well as road races, and could host in consultation with event companies Golazo and Flanders Classics, according to Sporza.
"Flanders is on course [to host the Worlds], but it's been since 2002 in Zolder that we organised the World Championships here, and now we have the chance to get it to Flanders in the jubilee year 2021," said Muytens.
"The economic impact of such a World Championships is considerable and is cautiously estimated at 30m euros," he added, "although we may be even more ambitious as a real cycling region."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Hosts have struggled in recent years to balance the books. 2014 host Ponferrada, Spain was reportedly left with multi-million euro losses after failing to turn a profit on the event, while last year's host Bergen, Norway face similar financial woes despite the event being hailed as a success.
Start and finish locations for potential Flanders routes have yet to be finalised, but Minister-President of Flanders Geert Bourgeois is in full support that the Worlds would be a valuable opportunity for the Belgian region.
"Organising the World Championships would be a great opportunity," Bourgeois said.
"Not only for the fans who get the chance to see the absolute world's best at work for several days in a row, but also for the image of Flanders in the world.
"The World Championships is one of those sporting events that really reach screens anywhere in the world's smallest corners."
This year's Worlds will be contested in Innsbruck in Austria's Tyrol region, while the 2019 edition will head to Britain for the first time since Goodwood 1982 and take place in Yorkshire.
The 2020 host is still yet to be confirmed, with a decision to be announced soon by the UCI.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
Has cycling's most affordable pro bike brand just launched its aero machine?
Van Rysel set to equip Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale with new RCR-F in 2025
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Even if you ride a lot, here's why you shouldn't skip leg day at the gym
Think your legs get enough exercise? A little gym time can unlock big strength and performance gains.
By Greg Kaplan Published
-
Latvia protest against Mathieu van der Poel's World Championships result, saying he 'endangered spectators'
Latvian Cycling Federation calls on UCI to explain decision not to disqualify Dutchman who mounted pavement
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I was pushing but I couldn't feel my legs' - GB's Oscar Onley on his breakout World Championships ride
The 21-year-old was the youngest man in the top-20 in Zürich and matched some of the big guns on his way to 16th
By Adam Becket Published
-
'It was a stupid move, but it worked' - Tadej Pogačar on his history-making World Championships ride
Welcome to the Pogačar era, where the Slovenian can attack from 100km to the line and still win. It's just starting.
By Adam Becket Published
-
'Crazy', 'not normal', 'another level' - Peloton reacts to another Tadej Pogačar solo masterclass at World Championships
The win was not unexpected, but the way it happened might have been, as the Slovenian soloed to historic victory
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tadej Pogačar completes stunning Triple Crown with 51km solo to maiden rainbow jersey
Slovenian caps off imperious year with victory at the World Championships road race in Zurich
By Flo Clifford Published
-
'Everyone wants to win, sometimes that means everyone wants to lose' - Dutch attack, attack, and attack, but end up with fifth after confusing World Championships road race
Demi Vollering staked everything on trying to win the rainbow bands, but it wasn't to be. Was there a better way?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Lotte Kopecky has 'perfect day' as she sprints to Worlds glory again
Belgian becomes seventh woman to defend the rainbow bands on tough day on the roads of Zürich
By Adam Becket Published
-
'In a sprint with Kopecky, that’s probably the best I can do' - Chloé Dygert content with silver in World Championships road race
The American took the best result for her country since 1991 in the road race, capping off great year for USA women's cycling
By Adam Becket Published