Cycling’s governing body offering amateurs a chance to win their own rainbow jersey
The International Cycling Union (UCI) has created a new World Cycling Tour (UWCT), which offers the chance to amateur cyclists to earn their own rainbow jersey. Through participation in one of a number of events around the World, riders will be able to qualify for a final, with a World title for their respective age group as the ultimate goal.
The UCI is targeting what it refers to as “the well trained amateur”, which is “the typical profile of the Gran Fondo rider.
“It’s no coincidence that the UWCT and the UCI WorldTour have such similar names,” explained UCI president Pat McQuaid. “We want the amateur cyclist who is devoted to the sport to have a taste of high level racing, and ultimately race for a World Champion title. The UWCT is how we are going to take amateur cycling to the next level. We are already looking forward to the opening of the series.”
The UWCT will comprise a maximum of 15 qualifying events, but so far for 2011 only seven races have been confirmed. There will be two events in the United States and one each in Australia, Portugal, Slovenia, Belgium and Switzerland; the final event will take place in September, in Belgium.
Curiously so far there have been no events confirmed for the cycling heartlands of France, Italy or Spain, where there are competitive “Gran Fondo” events throughout the year.
For more information see: www.uciworldcyclingtour.com
Confirmed UWCT Events 2011:
April 14th/16th – Perth (Australia)
May 8th – Gran Fondo New York (New York, USA)
May 15th – Gran Fondo Eddy Merckx (Portugal)
June 12th – Marathon Franja BTC (Slovenia)
June 18th – Gran Fondo Eddy Merckx (Belgium)
August 19th/21st – Echelon Gran Fondo (Colorado, USA)
August 28th – Gruyère Cycling Tour (Switzerland)
September 10th/11th – UWCT Final 2011 (Belgium)