February 07, 2018 (Milton, ON) – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce that it has been selected by the International Cycling Union (UCI) to host the UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships in 2020. Once again, the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario, will play host to the best athletes in the world, with over 30 countries expected to attend from January 30 to February 2, 2020.
This announcement comes after a very successful first edition of the Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Milton, with two more legs returning to the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in 2018 and 2019. Despite having organized multiple international events over the years, this will be Canada’s first time hosting the UCI Para-Cycling Track Championships, which will be the last qualifying competition before the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
“Milton is thrilled to host the UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships in partnership with Cycling Canada,” said Milton Mayor Gord Krantz. “As the Home of Canadian Cycling, the Mattamy National Cycling Centre is proud to host high performance sport for all abilities.”
“The fact that Milton was allocated the Para-cycling Track World Championships is a testament to the trust the UCI has in our team’s ability to deliver a world-class event. Canada has been very involved in the development and promotion of para-cycling in the last years, and this event will help accomplish this. Canadian athletes have had incredible international performances in recent years and we are excited to be able to see them compete on home soil,” said Mathieu Boucher, Performance Development Director at Cycling Canada.
The Mattamy National Cycling Centre, built to host the track events at the 2015 Pan Am Games, is a Category 1 homologated velodrome, and one of only two velodromes in North America that meets the requirements to host high-level competitions.
Sébastien Travers, Head Coach for the Para-cycling program, said “Hosting the world championships is an incredible opportunity for our para-cycling program, because it means that more Canadian athletes will be able experience this level of international racing. Having a full squad will be a great asset for our team, as we strive to make as many points as possible to qualify for the Tokyo Paralympic Games later in the year. We are also hoping that this event will give our sport more exposure and help us recruit new athletes for the 2024 Games.”
For more information about Cycling Canada events, visit www.cyclingcanada.ca.
WHAT: UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships
WHERE: Mattamy National Cycling Centre Velodrome – Milton, ON
WHEN: 2020 Season – January 30th to February 2nd
MORE INFO: Cycling Canada here / UCI here
