Rio to host 2018 Para Cycling Track Worlds

The Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro will stage the 2018 UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships, as announced by the International Cycling Union (UCI). The event will take place in the Rio Olympic Velodrome, the track cycling venue from last year’s Paralympic Games.

At the same time, Apeldoorn, the Netherlands was selected host city of the 2019 edition.

The 2018 UCI Para Cycling Track Worlds will be the first major World Championships to take place in the Brazilian city since the Rio 2016 Paralympic and Olympic Games.

The roof of the Rio Olympic Velodrome had been struck by fire in July following an accident with a hand-made hot air balloon. The accident however did not damage the track as bad as initially reported and the venue will be ready to host the competition according to the Brazilian Cycling Federation (CBC).

“The Rio Olympic Velodrome has the ideal conditions to host any international competition. We have been anxiously waiting for the news [announcing Rio as host city]. We have worked hard in the last months with the support of the Federal government and the Brazilian Paralympic Committee.

“I am sure the whole of the cycling community will benefit from the opportunity we have to host such a big event,” said CBC president Jose Luiz Vasconcellos.

This year’s Track Worlds was held in Los Angeles, USA, from 2-5 March, with close to 80 athletes from 20 countries competing. The hosts finished as the most decorated country with 18 medals overall, including 12 golds, three silvers and three bronzes.

Apeldoorn will celebrate the Para Cycling Track World Championships for a second time, having done so in 2015 as well.

More information about the sport is available on UCI’s website.