February 1/14 10:57 am - UCI Issues Reassurance Statement on Road Worlds

Posted by Editoress on 02/1/14
 

Lately there have been grumblings and concerns about the ability of Ponferrada, Spain, to host the Road World Championships this September.  The Spanish economy is still precarious, and Ponferrada, is in the northwest of Spain, a region particularly hard hit.  The UCI took the unusual step at the Cyclo-cross Worlds of issuing a statement in support of the Ponferrada event after the Spanish sport ministry and regional government both publicly committed to the event.

The Spanish Department of Sports (El Consejo Superior de Deportes, "CSD") is today delighted to report on a significant phase in the organisation of the UCI World Championships, 2014, to be held in Ponferrada.  This comes in particular through the excellent cooperation between the UCI and its President, Brian Cookson, with the president of the CSD, Miguel Cardenal, and the Director General, Ana Munoz, working throughout with Jose Luis Lopez Cerron, President of the Spanish Cycling Federation.

This strong relationship has been cemented through the recent visit by the UCI’s President, Brian Cookson, to the CSD headquarters in December, 2013.  As confirmed by the CSD, the strong leadership shown in this process and close understanding with the UCI has ensured the full launch of the UCI Road World Championships, Ponferrada 2014.  This, together with the continued institutional support which has been welcomed by CSD, guarantees the organisation of the event, scheduled for 21-28th September, 2014.

The clear commitment of the Assembly of Castilla y Leon has been decisive in assuring the success of this event, and of particular importance has been the agreement reached by the Assembly on 30th January.

Miguel Cardenal expressed his great satisfaction at the partnership with the UCI, and wished to highlight the key role played by the President of the Assembly of Castilla and Leon, Juan Vicente Herrera, for his personal involvement and contribution.  "Without his help, this great moment for Spanish cycling would not have been possible," underlined Cardenal.

Brian Cookson added his great pleasure at the strong relationship established with the CSD, and at the exciting prospect of this iconic event in Ponferrada. "I was delighted to visit the CSD in December to present UCI WorldTour awards to Spanish teams and riders, reflecting the importance of this sport in a country rich in the history of cycling.  We are very much looking forward to adding to this great history in Ponferrada later this year. The World Championships is a monument of cycling, and I am sure we will be privileged to see some fantastic racing over an excellent and challenging course."