Elite racing cyclists from around the world have been converging on Denmark to take part in the annual UCI World Championship races that take place in Copenhagen and Rudersdal, an area around 20 kilometres north of Copenhagen, in September 2011.
Denmark is hosting the event for the first time since 1956. The races take place from 19-25 September, with time trials taking place over the week, culminating with the Elite Men’s race on Sunday, 25 September.
The UCI Road World Championships
Taking place since 1927, the Road World Championships, also known as the World Cycling Championships, are organised by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). Cyclists taking part in the races compete in national teams as opposed to commercially sponsored teams, which is the norm in cycle racing. The winner of the race is awarded a gold medal and the honour of wearing the Rainbow Jersey for the following year in racing events. Similarly, the time trial winner is also permitted to wear the Rainbow Jersey for all time trial events and stages for the following year.
The UCI Road World Championships has grown over the years and now includes events for elite and junior (under 19) women cyclists and under-23 and junior men. Teams in all categories compete in both time trials and road races and the events usually stretch over a period of a week.
Thor Huhovd of Norway is currently wearing the Rainbow Jersey, as winner of the 2010 UCI Road World Championships which took place in Geelong, Australia. Fellow Scandinavian, Matti Breschel of Denmark took silver and Australian Allan Davis took bronze in 2010.
UCI Road World Championships, Copenhagen 2011
Copenhagen and Rudersdal Kommune have welcomed the cyclists competing in the races with open arms, gladly overlooking resulting road closures and even producing stamps to commemorate the occasion. Time trials have been taking place in Copenhagen, starting and finishing at Town Hall Square in the centre of the city.
The main races, however, take place along a 14 kilometre circuit located in Rudersdal Kommune, north of Copenhagen. The circuit takes the cyclists through some very lovely countryside, although at the speed they will be going, it is doubtful they will notice the view.
Although Denmark is not known for its hills, the course does have its challenges. The highest point of the circuit is Søllerød Slotsvej, or Castle Road, which is 59 meters above sea level. The finish line at Geels Bakke, also presents a challenge with an average gradient of 4.2% extending for almost a kilometre. Geels is an old Danish word for goat and bakke means hill. Geels Bakke was chosen for the start and finish line because of the challenge it presents and because the area is wide enough to accommodate the many spectators expected to attend the races.
The Junior Men and Elite Women compete on 24 September, with the men racing for 126 kilometres (9 times around the circuit) and the women racing for 140 kilometres (10 times around the circuit). The main race, the Elite Men’s race, takes place on 25 September. The men will first cycle 28 kilometres from Copenhagen Town Centre and then race around the circuit 17 times for a total of 266 kilometres. When the races are finished, competitors begin a cycle ride from Copenhagen to Limburg, the Netherlands, home of the UCI Road World Championships in 2012.
Currently Australia leads in the medal standings, while Germany’s Tony Martin has taken gold in the Elite Men’s time trials. Lucy Garner of Great Britain has won gold in the Junior Women’s World Championships and Arnaud Demare of France has taken gold in the men’s under 23 race.
The UCI Road World Championships, or VM (Verdens Mester or World Champion) as it is known in Denmark, is attracting a great deal of attention from the cycle-mad Danes and attendance at the final race is expected to be high. The 14 kilometre circuit is sure to become a popular new challenge for native cyclists and has already been tried out by many of them before the races. While Denmark is not doing as well as could be expected in the races, the country can hold its head high as one of the most bike-friendly nations in the world.
Sources
- Rudersdal Kommune website - UCI Road World Championships page
- UCI Road World Championships - Official Copenhagen 2011 website
Beth MacMillan - Beth MacMillan fulfilled her dream of living and traveling in Europe when she, her husband and their two dogs moved to Denmark in 2001 for ...
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