According to Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, the International Cycling Union’s (UCI) cyclo-cross coordinator Peter Van den Abeele has confirmed the possibility of the Cyclo-cross World Championships being held in the United States in 2013. The decision on a venue will be made next week leading up to this year’s event in Tabor, Czech Republic.
“The decision is not final until next Thursday, but Louisville is indeed in pole position and I will fight if necessary with tooth and nail,” explained Van den Abeele.
If the world championships do end up coming across the pond, the destination will be Louisville, Kentucky, a city that has embraced the discipline and currently hosts a round of the US Grand Prix of Cyclo-cross.
Another interesting development is that if Louisville ends up being the host in 2013, cyclo-cross legend Sven Nys said he will prolong his career for the opportunity to take the start in America.
Originally planning to retire in 2012, Nys said, “This is a blessing for the discipline, a major step forward in the internationalization of the sport.”
The 33-year-old Belgian has been a dominant force in the sport since he arrived in 1998, racking up a world championship title, 5 Belgian national championships, 2 World Cup and 8 Superprestiege titles, and 4 GvA Trophy’s. His presence would certainly be appreciated by an already energized US cross scene.
After this year’s event in Tabor, the World Championships will head to Sankt Wendel, Germany (2011) and Koksijde, Belgium (2012). The Netherlands would like to bring the race back to Hoogerheide in 2015.