Tag: UCI World Cycling Championship

Road closures today

Edinburgh is hosting the UCI World Cycling Championships 2023 Men’s Elite Road Race tomorrow morning – Sunday 6 August 2023.

We will have temporary restrictions on

  • parking
  • waiting
  • loading
  • unloading

along the route, which spans from Holyrood Park to the Queensferry Bridge.

We may need to adjust these timings depending on the event timings.

Road closures

These roads will be closed from 11:59pm on August 5 to 3pm on 6 August:

  • Queens Drive
  • Horse Wynd
  • Dukes Walk

These roads will be closed from 11:59pm on August 5 to 1:45pm on 6 August:

  • Canongate
  • New Street (between East Market Street and Canongate)

These roads will be closed from 11:59pm on August 5 to 11:15am on 6 August:

  • High Street (between South Bridge and St Giles Street)
  • Lawnmarket (between St Giles Street and Bank Street)

These roads will be closed from 11:59pm on August 5 to 12 noon on 6 August:  

  • High Street (between St Mary’s Street and South Bridge)

The following roads will be closed from 8:00am to 9:45am on 6 August:

  • Abbeyhill (between Canongate and Abbeyhill Crescent)
  • Calton Road (between Abbeyhill and Abbeyhill Crescent)  

The following roads will be closed from 9:00am to 9:45am on 6 August:

  • George IV Bridge (between Lawnmarket and Victoria Street)
  • Lawnmarket (between Bank Street and Castlehill)
  • Bank Street
  • North Bank Street
  • The Mound
  • Hanover Street
  • Queen Street Gardens East
  • Heriot Row (between Dundas Street and Howe Street)
  • Howe Street (between Heriot Row and South-East Circus Place)
  • South-East Circus Place
  • Circus Place 
  • North-West Circus Place

These roads will be closed from 9:10am to 9:45am on 6 August:

  • Kerr Street 
  • Deanhaugh Street
  • Raeburn Place
  • Comely Bank Road
  • Craigleith Road

These roads will be closed from 9:15am to 9:50am on 6 August:

  • Queensferry Road (between Craigleith Road and Hillhouse Road)
  • Hillhouse Road

These roads will be closed from 9:20 to 9:55am on 6 August:

  • Queensferry Road (between Hillhouse Road and Maybury Road)

These roads will be closed from 9:40am to 10am on 6 August:

  • Queensferry Road / A90 South-eastbound (between the dual carriageway section and Whitehouse Road)

These roads will be closed from 9:40am to 10:40am on 6 August:

  • Queensferry Road / A90 North-westbound (between Maybury Road and the boundary of City of Edinburgh Council’s responsibility).

Vehicle crossing points on closed roads

On Sunday 6 August, traffic will be held at the junctions with the race route for up to 10 minutes while the race passes. Once the final support vehicle passes, traffic will be able to flow as normal.

The timings may change slightly to fit with the event as it passes through Edinburgh.

  • St Mary Street – Jeffery Street at Canongate/ High Street 9:25am to 9:35am
  • North Bridge – South Bridge at High Street 09:25am to 9:35am
  • Princess Street at The Mound/ Hanover Street 9:25am to 9:35am
  • Queen Street at Hanover Street/ Queen Street Gardens East 9:25am to 9:35am
  • East Fettes Avenue – Comley Bank Avenue at Comely Bank Road 9:30am to 9:40am
  • Orchard Brae – Crewe Road South at Comely Bank Road 9:30am to 9:40am
  • Telford Road – Strachan Road at A90 Hillhouse Road 9:30am to 9:40am
  • Quality Street – Craigcrook Road at A90 Queensferry Road 9:30am to 9:40am
  • Whitehouse Road – Maybury Road A90 Queensferry Road 9:45am to 9:55am

Please note that these planned restrictions and closures may be subject to change.

Cycling champions to be crowned at Scone Palace

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. 

Edinburgh Castle lights up in rainbow colours marking six months to go until UCI Cycling World Championships

  • Iconic Scottish landmarks illuminated in the UCI’s rainbow colours to mark six months until the biggest cycling event in the world

Organisers of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships marked six months to go until the first-of-its-kind event by lighting up iconic landmarks in Glasgow and across Scotland where the 13 UCI World Championship events are set to take place from 3-13 August 2023.

Having these landmarks across the country illuminated in the colours of the UCI rainbow stripes, reflects not only the range of locations and venues where the UCI World Championships will take place, in a pan-Scotland celebration of cycling, but also how Scotland will be welcoming the world, with the stripes signifying the five continents.

From the Riverside Museum on the banks of the river Clyde in Glasgow to the majesty of Edinburgh Castle, the historic Stirling Castle, and the fortress like Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland was on full display to begin the countdown to the inaugural cycling event in August.

All landmarks were chosen as they are located in the regions that are venues for the Championships.

The world-famous Glenfinnan Viaduct in the Highlands, the waters of Loch Lomond in West Dunbartonshire and in the Scottish Borders, the historic Traquair House were also illuminated in the colours of the iconic UCI rainbow stripes, helping to build awareness and anticipation for the upcoming Championships.

These regions of Scotland will see thousands of amateur and elite cycling athletes from over 120 countries competing across the 13 UCI World Championships for the first time at the mega-event, making it the largest event in cycling history.

Edinburgh Castle was illuminated in recognition of Edinburgh hosting the start of the Men’s Road race. 

To register for tickets or for additional information, please visit the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships website.

Audrey Jones, Head of Hospitality and Events at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “We’re delighted that a number of our sites, including the iconic Edinburgh Castle, provided a fitting backdrop for kicking off the countdown to the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds, an event that is set to be truly historic.”

Angus Robertson, Culture Secretary, Scottish Government said: “It’s only six months to go until the eyes of the world are on Glasgow and Scotland for the UCI Cycling World Championships.

“Not only will this be an incredible showcase of talent from across the globe but it’s also a fantastic opportunity to highlight all that Scotland has to offer to people travelling from near and far for the event. We look forward to welcoming everyone from athletes to cycling enthusiasts to people just looking for a great day out.”

UCI President David Lappartient said: “We are now into the final stretch of preparations for these milestone UCI Cycling World Championships. Illuminating landmarks at key venues inGlasgow and across Scotland has given everyone a true sense of the importance and enormity of this inaugural event.

“Six months will pass by quickly and I cannot wait to see fans and athletes from cycling’s many different disciplines join together for these eleven days of excitement, celebration and competition that will crown virtually all of our UCI World Champions for 2023.”

Paul Bush, OBE, Chair of 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships said: “Shining the iconic UCI rainbow jersey colours onto some of the country’s most incredible and well-known locations heralds another significant milestone in the run up to the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships.

“With six months to go until Scotland hosts the biggest cycling event ever staged, the lighting up of landmarks acts as a celebratory beacon ahead of eleven action packed days in August where UCI World Champions will be crowned, and audiences wowed by must-see moments.

“Having mega events of this size and scale in our calendar further strengthens Scotland’s position as a world-leading events destination and reinforces Scotland’s place as the perfect stage for events”.