Yorkshire’s first major cycle expo has announced it will partner with, and take place during, the pinnacle event in the UCI International Road Cycling Calendar in 2019.
Cycle Expo Yorkshire will be an officially affiliated event of the UCI Road World Championships in 2019, further cementing Yorkshire’s position as a world-renowned cycling destination.
Following the announcement that Harrogate will be the main competition town and finish location for each race of the 2019 UCI Road World Championships, Cycle Expo Yorkshire has confirmed it will move its 2019 event to 21 -23 September to coincide with the first weekend of the event.
With record-breaking spectator figures expected, the UCI Road World Championships and Cycle Expo Yorkshire will strengthen Yorkshire as the undisputed capital of UK cycling.
Charlotte Scoular from Cycle Expo Yorkshire said: “We are delighted to be officially affiliated with the UCI Road World Championships. It’s a massive statement of intent for our new expo that the event will take place during, and in partnership with, the UCI Road World Championships next year.
“This presents enormous commercial opportunities to any potential exhibitor at Cycle Expo Yorkshire as the dual packages for 2018 and 2019 we’re now able to offer have taken on a new significance. Any partners signing for 2018 are going to be able to take advantage of some very special 2019 opportunities as well.”
Andy Hindley, CEO of Yorkshire 2019, said: “The UCI Road World Championships is already generating huge anticipation both in Yorkshire and across the country. We are thrilled that Cycle Expo Yorkshire is working in partnership with us. It’s going to ensure that the opening weekend of the Championships is a fantastic festival of cycling.”
David Lappartient, UCI President, said: “This partnership will give the cycling industry exceptional visibility at an expo organised by the sector’s reputed professionals. The expo will also be an area of discovery and exchange for fans, who will also be able to follow our World Championships races on the big screens. Cycle Expo Yorkshire will no doubt contribute to the popularity of our major annual road cycling event.”
With all races set to finish in Harrogate, Cycle Expo Yorkshire will provide great entertainment and exhibitors. The expo has also confirmed it will transmit live, big screen action from the races during its opening days.
And it means the stage will be set to see Cycle Expo Yorkshire ambassador Lizzie Deignan make her much anticipated competitive comeback, following the announcement earlier this year that she was to take a break from the sport due to the pending arrival of her first child.
A proud Yorkshire woman, Lizzie will still be representing her home county in her role as ambassador for the Cycle Expo Yorkshire in 2018, which is set to welcome 20,000 cycling enthusiasts to Harrogate’s Yorkshire Event Centre (YEC) from 12-14 October 2018.
A partnership between Welcome to Yorkshire and Leeds-based marketing and events specialists, XSEM, Cycle Expo Yorkshire will boast a number of races, competitions and exhibitors covering all cycling disciplines, from BMX and freestyle, to road racing and cross country. With a mountain woodland track, a kids GoRide Zone, and several expansive demo areas, the event will cater for cycling enthusiasts of all ages, abilities and disciplines.
Sir Gary Verity, chief executive at Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “We’re looking forward to launching the first Cycle Expo Yorkshire in October and seeing it become an officially affiliated UCI event in 2019 will ensure it goes from strength to strength.
“We’re working hard to deliver the most inclusive UCI Road World Championships ever and hosting the Cycle Expo Yorkshire whilst next year’s racing is on will be an added bonus to the millions of fans who are set to descend on the county for this once-in-a-lifetime event.”
