2023 UCI Cycling Worlds Set For Stunning Road Races Amid Scotland’s Most Iconic Landmarks

• Men and Women road races to pass through the country’s most spectacular monuments from Edinburgh Castle, the Kelpies and the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond
• Women’s road race will bring the curtain down on historic mega-event held in Glasgow and across Scotland next year
• Junior road races to take place entirely in Glasgow

The world’s best cyclists will savour some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery next year with the men’s and women’s road races taking in Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat in the capital, the Wallace Monument and The Kelpies, and the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond en route to the finish line at Glasgow’s George Square.

For the first time ever, this unique Cycling Worlds – bringing together 13 existing UCI World Championships into a new mega event held in Glasgow and across Scotland – will also close with the Women Elite road race on Sunday 13 August 2023.

Edinburgh and Loch Lomond were today (Friday 23 September) unveiled as official venues and starting locations for the Elite and Under 23 categories of the road races at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. The announcement was made at the 2022 UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong, Australia.

On arrival into Glasgow, the cyclists will tackle a 14.4 km technical city circuit with punchy short climbs (a total of 193 metres of climbing per lap) and an iconic finish at George Square. The Men Elite will cover a distance of 277 km with 3,167 metres of climbing, while the Women Elite (which includes the Women under 23 category) will race 157 km with 1,930 metres of climbing.

The Men Elite road race will be held on Sunday 6 August 2023 starting at the awe inspiring dormant volcano, Arthur’s Seat, and then progress through Edinburgh’s Old Town, passing close Edinburgh Castle before crossing the Firth of Forth and taking in the breathtaking coastline of Fife.

Riders, spectators and the global TV audience will next take in views including the stunning sculpture of The Kelpies and then the National Wallace Monument before proceeding down the popular cycling route of the Crow Road on the way to the thrilling, technical circuit in Glasgow, where they will finally cross the finish line alongside George Square in the heart of the city.

The Women Elite and Women Under 23 as well as the Men Under 23 road races will see the starting line placed along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, with the peloton leaving the gateway to the Trossachs National Park and heading towards Fintry. Riders will then climb as they pass through Stirlingshire and then onto East Dunbartonshire, following the route as they head into the final 62 km stretch to the Glasgow circuit.

Entering from Glasgow’s west end, the road race route navigates the city starting with a climb to Park Circus and panoramic views across Kelvingrove Park before heading in to the city centre, passing the internationally recognised Glasgow School of Art, University of Strathclyde, the historic Glasgow Cathedral and stylish Merchant City.

The circuit then takes riders back west, passing the Gallery of Modern Art and traversing Buchanan Street, the city’s premier shopping street, before taking in the iconic Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery and the world-renowned University of Glasgow, both striking architectural landmarks in Glasgow’s west end.

The riders will then go along the eclectic Byres Road before racing back to conclude with an exciting finishing straight at George Square.

As per the competition schedule announced on 8 September, the road race for the Men Under 23 will take place on Saturday 12 August 2023 with the Women Elite road race, which includes the Women Under 23 category, closing this inaugural and history making competition on Sunday 13 August 2023.

The Junior Road races take place on the Glasgow Circuit on Saturday 5 August. The Junior Men will complete 9 laps (129km) and the Junior Women 5 laps (72km).

The Team Time Trial Mixed Relay will take place on Tuesday 8 August the Glasgow Circuit but with an extension around Glasgow Green which has been used previously for road races such as the 2018 European Championships in Glasgow. A lap distance of 20.7km

Stirlingshire, steeped in history will host the Individual Time Trials from 9 to11 August, which will take place on a typically British time trail course. All categories will ride one lap. Race distances: Men Elite - 48.2km. Women Elite - 36.2km. Junior Men - 23km. Junior Women – 21.2km.

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships Local Organising Committee is working in partnership with all local authorities keep people informed so that business and residents can support the event by showcasing Scotland to the world.

There are volunteering opportunities at all venues, including the newly announced venues of Edinburgh and Loch Lomond.

Welcoming thousands of the world’s top cycling athletes as well as fans from around the globe, the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will not only showcase the amazing venues and cities hosting events across the country but will also highlight Scotland as a top destination for elite cycling and cycling tourism.

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will take place across 11 days from 3 to 13 August 2023 in venues and locations in Glasgow and across Scotland. This is the first time all 13 UCI World Championships will be combined into one mega-event, making it a cycling event unmatched in size and scale. More than a million spectators are anticipated as well as a global television audience in more than 160 markets, making it one of the most significant events in the UK next summer.