DUMFRIES and Galloway has been hit with cycling fever this week as the region plays host to the para-cycling time trials and road races as part of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
Para-cyclists ride the exact same events under the same rules as their non-disabled counterparts.
The classification system determines which para-cyclists are eligible to compete in different categories depending on the impairment.
The Scottish Transport Minister, Fiona Hyslop, right, travelled to Dumfries on Wednesday to see the action for herself. Speaking to this newspaper at a busy Whitesands, she said: “I’m delighted to be here in Dumfries.
“When bringing the UCI Championships to Scotland, the Scottish Government was clear that it wasn’t just going to be for Glasgow, it was going to be for all of Scotland.
“The hotels are full, it’s bringing in business and there’s people watching it. There’s over 100 million viewers for the UCI Championships, they’re going to see pictures from all over Scotland and that brings tourists here.
“This is a big showcase for Dumfries.”
She added: “There’s 7000 elite athletes here in Scotland and you will see some of them on the roads of Dumfries, but cycling is for everybody and that’s why there’s been almost £1m been given to Dumfries and Galloway to help promote active travel, including cycling.
“It’s an inspiration for youngsters as well and to see all these young people getting on their bikes and seeing this is fantastic.”
- For full results visit the UCI website.
