Scone Palace, the Crowning site of Scottish Kings and the original home of the Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny, will now see UCI World Champions crowned as it welcomes the finish of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo road races on Friday 4 August.
In an update to the previously announced routes, both races will now finish at Scone Palace, rather than their original finish on Tay Street in Perth city centre. The updated finish location follows consultation with event partners as part of ongoing event planning and development to ensure impacts are kept to a minimum across Perth city centre, while delivering a world-class event finish in a truly iconic Scottish location.
There have also been two other amendments to the routes, made to ensure the safest possible experience for riders and spectators. The Gran Fondo race through Pitlochry will now travel Southbound into Pitlochry from Garry Bridge, then turn left up Larchwood Road, right onto Strathview Terrace and left onto the A924/ West Moulin Road towards Moulin, before rejoining its original route travelling east towards Kirkmichael.
The change to the Medio Fondo race sees it take a new route in Bankfoot, travelling through the town from Prieston Road onto the B867 towards Waterloo, and turn right on the Pittensorn Road towards Murthly, before rejoining its original route on the B9099 towards Caputh.
An updated list of road closures reflecting the above changes can be seen here and the new race routes can be accessed and downloaded here.
The new finish line at Scone Palace will see both races conclude in one of Scotland’s most iconic settings. Once the ancient coronation site of Scottish Kings, the rich history and spectacular setting of Scone Palace will create a stunning backdrop for riders and spectators.
Scone is perhaps best-known as the former home of the Stone of Scone – also known as the Stone of Destiny – the red sandstone block used in early Scottish Kingship ceremonies and during the coronation of British monarchs. It was most recently used during the ceremonies for King Charles III, ahead of its return to Perthshire in 2024 as the centrepiece of a new £26.5m museum at Perth City Hall.
The UCI Gran Fondo World Championships are one of 13 UCI World Championships being brought together as part of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland from 3 – 13 August.
Trudy Lindblade, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships CEO, said: “We thank Perth & Kinross Council and the communities across Perth and Perthshire for allowing us to bring this first-time global event to your region.
“The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships is set to be the biggest cycling event ever held and is an opportunity to showcase Scotland as the perfect stage for major events. We look forward to welcoming thousands of riders from around the world to the region as they prepare to compete for the World Championship title on 4 August.”
Perth and Kinross Council leader Councillor Grant Laing: “The Gran Fondo will be an unforgettable event and will showcase Perth and Kinross to a worldwide audience.
“Scone Palace will make a spectacular backdrop to the finishing line and people all over the world will be able to see our stunning scenery and learn about the Stone of Destiny, which will come home next year as the centrepiece of the new Perth Museum.”
Gran Fondo (which translates as “Big Race”) is a long-distance, mass participation event that celebrates competitive cycling. The top 25 percent of riders from 27 qualifying events held around the world earned the right to compete in Scotland as part of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
Women aged 19 to 49 and Men 19 to 59 will take part in the Gran Fondo, while qualified riders in the Women 50+ and Men 60+ age categories will complete the Medio Fondo course.
Full details for riders, including updated routes, technical information and course maps can be found on the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships dedicated Gran Fondo website. GPS files of the route courses can be downloaded at these links: Gran Fondo, Medio Fondo, and Gran Fondo time trial. Information for spectators can be found on the main 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships website.
Race spectators, visitors and local communities are encouraged to prepare by making travel plans ahead of the event, with more information about traffic management available on Traffic Scotland’s website.
For those taking part in the Gran Fondo races, Sportive Breaks, the official fan and amateur participant travel and experiences provider of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, have packages on offer now offering a large selection of ideally located hotels that cater for a range of budgets.
Plus, Sportive breaks are offering VIP and hospitality throughout the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships offering participants the chance to extend their visit and experience some of the other disciplines from the best seats in the house. More information on packages can be found on the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships website.
With something for everyone to enjoy, the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds will feature 13 high-adrenaline, exciting UCI World Championships including Track and Para-cycling Track at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, BMX Racing at Glasgow BMX Centre, BMX Freestyle (Park and Flatland) and Trials at Glasgow Green, Indoor Cycling (artistic cycling and cycle-ball) at the Emirates Arena, Mountain Bike Cross-country, and Cross-country Marathon in Glentress Forest, Tweed Valley, Mountain Bike Downhill in Fort William and Road and Para-cycling Road across Scotland.
Tickets are on sale from as little as £8, with concessions from £5, plus there are many free events to watch throughout the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships including the Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo road races and time trials.
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