December 21, 2010 (Richmond, VA) – Mayor Dwight C. Jones today announced the city of Richmond’s desire to host the 2015 UCI World Road Cycling Championships. Richmond will represent the United States’ bid for the nine-day event. The World Championships attract more than 300,000 onsite spectators and is viewed by a global television audience of more than 300 million people. The 2010 Championships, held in Melbourne, Australia, generated tens of millions of dollars in economic impact to the host city.

The UCI Road World Championships attracts athletes from more than 70 nations across five continents. The series of road races and time trials for men and women represents the most important road cycling event in the world for participating countries. More than 1,000 cyclists compete to wear the coveted world champion’s “arc en ciel,” or rainbow jersey.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the United States, and the city of Richmond in particular,” said Mayor Jones. “Our city is centrally located and easy to access, offers great lodging and tourist attractions, and is a strong supporter of athletic and cultural events. There is no better place for the 2015 World Road Cycling Championships than right here in Richmond, Virginia.”

Richmond’s bid is supported by USA Cycling, the governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the U.S.

“Richmond’s efforts to bring cycling’s marquee event back to American soil will not only be an opportunity to showcase one of the country’s most historic arenas to the world, but will also give hundreds of thousands of cycling fans in the Mid-Atlantic region the opportunity to witness the world’s best compete in one of the world’s most popular sports,” said Steve Johnson, CEO of USA Cycling, who was present at today’s announcement.

The bidding process for the prestigious event is highly competitive. If successful in its bid, Richmond will join cities including Rome, Madrid, Copenhagen and Florence that have hosted or will host the event. The winning city will be announced at the 2011 UCI Road World Championships and Annual World Congress in Copenhagen in September 2011.

To view a recording of the webcast announcement, visit richmond2015.com.

About Richmond, Va.

Richmond is an economically progressive city and Virginia’s capital, offering a wealth of amenities not easily found among other East Coast municipalities. Richmond’s complete livability can be measured in numerous ways

– beautiful neighborhoods with striking architecture
– a vast cultural and educational heritage befitting its more than 200,000 citizens
– noted historic prestige tracing back to the early English settlers

Nationally recognized for its vitality and New Economy embrace, Richmond’s diversified employment base extends from chemical, food and tobacco manufacturing to biotechnology, semiconductors and high-tech fibers. The city consistently ranks among “Best Places to Live and Work in America” in several national publications.

Richmond is among a handful of mid-sized cities to offer a flourishing cultural community enhanced by several first-class museums and prominent universities, its own symphony, professional ballet and opera, and numerous theater companies and art galleries.

Richmond is centrally located on the East Coast of the U.S. and within a day drive of more than half of the U.S. population. While offering easy access to the ocean, mountains and Washington, D.C., Richmond features countless pastimes at home. Trendy boutiques and restaurants, numerous sports and entertainment attractions, outdoor pursuits among one of the nation’s largest river park systems, and a treasure trove of historic landmarks provide fun times galore.

For the five million who visit each year, Richmond is increasingly recognized for many distinguished yet unheralded qualities long enjoyed by those who already live here.