Glasgow 2018: Europe’s top cyclists head to Glasgow in sporting first

The world’s top female cyclists will take to the roads of Glasgow this Sunday as the 2018 UEC European Cycling Championships get underway.

Passing iconic city-centre landmarks like Kelvingrove Museum and George Square the 14.4km loop will start and finish in Glasgow Green. Riders will tackle nine laps totalling 130km before the 2018 European Champion is crowned.

The British team includes former Olympic track champion Dani Rowe; alongside Lizzy Banks, Alice Barnes, Dani Christmas, Anna Henderson, Nikki Juniper, Abby Mae Parkinson and Sophie Wright.

Other riders to watch include the impressive Dutch trio featuring last year’s champion; former World and Olympic champion Marianne Vos; current Olympic champion Anna Van Der Breggen and current World champion Chantal Blaak.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to enjoy the spectacle from Glasgow Green and from along the route.

The men’s Road Race takes place on Sunday 12 August, with both the men’s and women’s Time Trial on Wednesday 8 August completing the action on the road.

In what is being hailed a unique moment for the sport, the 2018 UEC European Cycling Championships will, for the first time, offer fans the opportunity to see all four Olympic cycling disciplines at the same time in one city.

Thirty medals are up for grabs in the Track, Road, BMX and Mountain Bike events during 10 days of intense competition.

Colin Hartley, Championships Director said: “Glasgow is the only city in the world that can host these four Olympic disciplines thanks to the impressive facilities we now have here in Glasgow, including our fantastic new BMX track. It’s a unique moment for the sport and I’m sure Glaswegians will be very proud.”

Action got underway on Day One of the Championships with Track Cycling at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. The first cycling medals will be won in the Women’s 10km Scratch Race this afternoon, with a further five medal events in the evening session.

Meanwhile the newly upgraded Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike Trails - including a start and finish loop built to UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) standards - will host the European Cycling Mountain Bike Championships on Tuesday 7 August.

Finally, the European Cycling BMX Championships are taking place at the brand new Olympic-standard track at Knightswood on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 August.

The arena boasts an eight-metre start hill and will become home of the Western Titans BMX Club once the Championships are over providing a lasting legacy for the sport of BMX in Scotland.