In July 2007, 14 000 international cyclists and team members converge on Cape Town for the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) ‘B' World Championships.

The event, slated for 11 - 15 July 2007, will attract thousands of participants, their families and friends to Cape Town and the Western Cape.

"The fact that the Union Cycliste Internationale has chosen Cape Town speaks volumes for the reputation and capability of our destination to host this prestigious event, says Nokhuthula Dube, Chief Executive Officer of Cape Town Routes Unlimited.

"A special word of congratulations must go to the director of the tournament, Alec Lenferna, who, with the support of our Convention and Events Bureau and in partnership with the City of Cape Town, drove the bid process with great enthusiasm."

The Elite Road World Championships is staged each year and is recognised as the top UCI event. However, due to limited entry, not all nations can be represented. Building on the increasing popularity of the sport, the UCI ‘B' World Championships came into being to accommodate cyclists from countries where cycling is not necessarily a mainstream sport.

"Cape Town is a good venue for hosting this event for a number of reasons: We have experience hosting top events; we are in a good time zone for television coverage, especially for our European tourism target markets; and we have excellent infrastructure in terms of our tracks and roads."

Interest in the event is growing; 50 international journalists will cover both the track and road races because this event also doubles as an Olympic qualifier for the 2008 Beijing Games.

"The timing of the race - in July - is particularly important, " the Mayor said.  "We need to address the challenges posed by seasonality. For this reason we aim to host major events during the traditional off-peak season to reinforce our reputation as a year-round destination. Our climate during this time of year is generally mild and perfect for outdoor activities, such as cycling. In addition, support for events like this one provides unlimited opportunities to profile the City and its people throughout the world."

The Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour has already gained international recognition from the UCI, becoming the opening event of the Golden Bike Series, made up of 10 races held in Canada, Switzerland, Italy, The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Germany, France and South Africa. Many people regard it as the jewel in the crown of the prestigious series.

(Source: Business News, 11 Oct 2005)