Yorkshire shone despite the weather, say the organisers of the 2019 UCI Road World Championships following the last day of racing on Sunday.
Those behind the event say the county’s stunning scenery and passionate supporters again proved that Yorkshire was more than up to the task of hosting a global sporting event.
It was the first time the UCI Road World Championships encompassed ten different start locations, seen male and female riders compete alongside each other, or organise a ground-breaking para-cycling event, the Yorkshire 2019 Para-Cycling International, alongside it.
Speaking after the elite men’s road race, Yorkshire 2019 CEO Andy Hindley said: “It’s been an amazing nine days. Every single race, including our para-cycling event which kicked things off, has been spectacular.
“It’s taken over three years of planning to reach this point and it’s been a superb team effort. My staff at Yorkshire 2019 have been tremendous, as have our delivery partners, local authorities, emergency service providers, transport providers, utilities providers, volunteers – the list could go on and on. I want to say a massive thank you to them, and to everybody who supported this event.”
Welcome to Yorkshire commercial director Peter Dodd said: “It’s been a phenomenal nine days in Yorkshire and the whole county as shone even in spite of some of the weather. We’ve seen some truly amazing racing and crowned some incredible world champions.
“Every race has had a fantastic climax to it and that’s testimony to our variety of terrain as much as it is to the riders themselves. The people and businesses of Yorkshire have done themselves proud, as have our partners, emergency services, highways teams, and of course, our army of tremendous volunteers. Every rider and visitor has received a typically warm welcome, and I’m so proud of that.
“The legacy and long-term benefits of hosting these Championships will be felt for many years to come and Yorkshire has definitely gone global over the last nine days. Thank you again to everyone who’s come and enjoyed themselves, and to all the businesses and residents for their support.”
British Cycling CEO Julie Harrington said: “The 2019 UCI Road World Championships have given the sport a brilliant platform to reach even more people and inspire them to get on their bikes. I’d like to thank Yorkshire 2019, everyone across the county of Yorkshire, and British cycling fans for their contribution to a fantastic event and the warm welcome extended to teams from all over the world.”
Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, added: “Around ninety nations have taken part in the UCI Road World Championships this month and coverage has been streamed across 150 countries.
Many of our villages, market towns and of course the City of Ripon, have featured in this extensive coverage. The images of the Yorkshire Dales will have been seen by millions of people across the world.
“The resilience of the people who live and work where the flash floods hit hardest continues to inspire many and alongside the very many practical ways we are supporting them – this feels a fitting tribute and a strong message to the world.
“Once again North Yorkshire has proven to be an outstanding host to world class cycling events and the typical hearty welcome, come rain or shine, shown to the competitors and visitors from around the globe is one of the very many reasons we are proud to serve this county.”
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