A number of months in the past, we had been invited to the Scottish Mountain Bike Convention in Aberdeen the place we had the pleasure of listening to Trudy Lindblade as she set out her plans for the Biking World Championships of 2023. Trudy is the Chief Government Officer of the 2023 UCI Biking World Championships, set to supervise 13 Biking World Championship Occasions hosted in Scotland subsequent August. It’s the first time within the UCI’s historical past that the World Champs for all UCI-recognized biking disciplines (with the notable exception of Cyclo-cross) shall be held collectively in what organizers are calling a Mega Occasion.

Trudy spoke with nice enthusiasm in regards to the monumental process she and her workforce have forward of them, making it very clear what an unimaginable alternative this World First occasion is for the game of biking and everybody that’s a part of it, in addition to everybody who isn’t but a part of it however will most undoubtedly be thereafter.

Showdowns for BMX Freestyle Flatland, BMX Freestyle Park, BMX Racing, Gran Fondo, Indoor Biking, Para-Biking Street, Para-Biking Monitor, Street, Monitor, Trials, Mountain Bike Cross-Nation and Mountain Bike Downhill will all happen over August 3-13, a time throughout which myself and my Bikerumor colleagues will want we might be in a number of locations without delay. Additionally… and that is pure conjecture from me, however given EDR-Enduro’s (previously the EWS) latest call-up to UCI World Cup standing, it wouldn’t in any respect shock me to see a 14th occasion added sooner or later. Once more, pure conjecture, however i’d most likely guess no less than half of the £1.26 in my again pocket on it.

We sat down with Trudy to be taught extra about particular plans for the World Championships, and how much legacy she hopes will stay after the mud has settled, and the medals awarded.

Interview with Trudy Lindblade, CEO of 2023 UCI Biking World Championships

Bikerumor: 2023 would be the first time within the historical past of the UCI that 13 Biking World Championship Occasions shall be hosted in the identical place. Are you able to inform us why that call was made, as an alternative of getting the Championships unfold out throughout a number of international locations and continents as has historically been the case?

Trudy Lindblade: When the UCI President David Lappartient got here in for his first time period, this was a part of his manifesto, coming into his presidency to attempt to carry all of the World Championships collectively. And it was simply to create an occasion of measurement and scales, so biking might have that second the place everyone on the earth can see what an awesome large sport biking is. And it’s not simply, you understand, the Olympic sports activities that you just see on TV each couple of years, whether or not it’s the Commonwealth Video games or Olympic Video games.

Bringing it collectively, they will put biking entrance and middle each 4 years, as a result of the occasion shall be held each 4 years previous to the Olympic Video games. It helps with that sustainable way forward for biking. So once more, displaying the depth and breadth of biking.

Individuals who would possibly historically haven’t thought-about a self-discipline would possibly go, “Nicely, I’d give {that a} go”. After which there’s a brand new viewers piece. So, by bringing them collectively we’re mixing the audiences as nicely. Trigger if you concentrate on biking, it may be fairly tribal in a manner.

Um, so we’ve bought a possibility to say “Nicely come and discover one thing a bit bit completely different”. After which hopefully by doing that we’re offering that new viewers alternative to develop folks, and convey folks into the game. And that bringing folks into the game might be extra folks driving bikes. It may be industrial revenues, you understand, any of these varieties of issues, which type of goes again to that sustainable way forward for the game.

How does biking sustain with the opposite large sports activities on the earth to be sure that it has a long-term future. And there’s a number of different issues; clearly the UCI and biking are doing, however for this and our goal, you understand, bringing an occasion of measurement and scale collectively in a single spot lets you cling a number of different issues off it.

Bikerumor: Forgive me. Are there biking disciplines that shall be within the World Championships that aren’t an Olympic Sport?

Trudy Lindblade: That’s okay! So, there are some non-Olympic Sports activities. So, um, among the BMX and City should not Olympic sports activities.

So, Trials and Flatland. Um, you’ve bought Indoor Biking, so Cycle Ball and Inventive Biking. Um, not the entire mountain bike occasions are Olympic Occasions. So, you’ve bought fairly a spread of disciplines which might be within the World Championships that aren’t essentially seen on that large stage day-after-day.

And I feel notably for a few of these rising sports activities, and I like to make use of the instance of Inventive Biking as a result of after I describe that to folks, they’re intrigued by it as a result of it is extremely completely different. You already know, Inventive Biking… gymnastics on a motorbike, Soccer Ball… soccer on a motorbike, or soccer on a motorbike. The indoor worlds had been simply truly held in Belgium final week [5^th November].

You already know, it’s completely different. I despatched a few our workforce on the market for a reconnaissance as a result of we have to be taught a bit about it, you understand, it’s not one thing we’re conversant in and so they’ve simply come again raving about it. They mentioned it’s a very an excellent occasion.

Bikerumor: It’s superb, and about as far faraway from biking as you possibly can go whereas nonetheless involving a motorbike.

Trudy Lindblade: Appropriate. It’s simply, it’s superb what they do. That’s the opposite factor we type of discuss, you understand, the bike, the common-or-garden bike. I name it the common-or-garden bike as a result of it’s only a humble bike.

And you understand, it, there’s simply so many issues and components that it might probably do for you in your on a regular basis life that’s completely different. And that’s a part of the broader messaging of our occasion is, you understand, the bike is not only one thing you possibly can win World Championships on – there’s a lot extra. So, we will use this occasion to present these broader messages.

Bikerumor: I suppose with the Indoor Biking as nicely… such as you say, it was held in Belgium. I feel like elements of the game have completely different ranges of following in numerous areas of the world. So, I suppose it’s gonna elevate the profile of each single self-discipline suddenly.

Trudy Lindblade: Precisely. And, and our problem is to be sure that we do this; it’s to present every of these disciplines in every World Championship its acceptable second. And we’re actually acutely aware of that as a result of we wish to be sure that that is an inclusive occasion and that inclusive means not simply making it accessible to folks to attend or to look at or to take part, nevertheless it’s additionally, you understand, we would like to have the ability to inform folks about your blue-ribbon occasions, and then you definately’ve bought your rising occasions or your lesser-known occasions. And so, we wish to inform that complete story of biking. And that’s actually essential to us.

Bikerumor: So, we’re occupied with figuring out what the prices are going be, and in addition what the fee would’ve been for you guys to place the bid collectively for Glasgow within the first place.

Trudy Lindblade: Yeah, so this was not essentially a standard strategy as a result of it got here by the UCI president’s authentic manifesto.

He was speaking about it with my Chair, who’s additionally the Director of Occasions in Scotland, and a few of our funding companions at Sport Accord. It’s the place all of the sports activities come collectively every year. So, we went into an unique negotiation interval with the UCI to bid for this occasion.

Throughout that interval, we had clearly the chance to work with the UCI on demonstrating how we might be capable of host. And the nice factor is that we had, in Scotland, not too long ago hosted the European Championships in 2018 which was a brand-new occasion. You already know, it was a multi-sport occasion primarily based in Glasgow. The distinction right here is our occasion is Pan-Scotland, and that’s actually essential for us that we’re partaking with as a lot of Scotland as we will.

We had simply demonstrated that we had the flexibility to run an occasion – a model new occasion – to take it on and run it efficiently. The bid was achieved by Occasion Scotland, Glasgow Metropolis Council, UK Sport, the Scottish Authorities and British Biking.

So, we couldn’t be doing this with out them. It was a very collaborative strategy from the start as a result of this occasion hasn’t been achieved earlier than. So, now we have a shared imaginative and prescient with the UCI about what we wish to see, and I feel that’s a very nice strategy to begin your bid the place we’re coming at it collectively.

We’ve taken this concept and we’re creating it collectively and we’re primarily creating collectively the UCI’s blueprint for the long run. Now, most likely that may look barely completely different in France in 2027, however no less than we’ll have the practical mannequin that may assist them take it ahead after which every nation there on in, as occurs in any main occasion, will add their bit to it.

So, we’ll put our Scottish Kilt over it, and France will put their, regardless of the equal is, over it and we’ll do it that manner. Occasions of this measurement and scale can’t be delivered with out principal funders, that are our authorities funders, however with out additionally the assist that they carry as nicely.

And Scotland’s bought a prepared community of main occasion credentials; from transport to, you understand, their native councils – they’re all skilled in occasion supply.

Bikerumor: And what are the anticipated prices of delivering the occasion subsequent yr?

Trudy Lindblade: Yeah, so with our funding companions, it’s round £45 Million. That’s the anticipated supply value. So, you understand, we’ve bought a possibility to ship a terrific occasion. And we want our funding companions and different companions to assist us do this. So, you understand, we’ll even be bringing on a spread of business companions to complement that.

Bikerumor: You talked about throughout your discuss on the [Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland] convention that sure services had been already underneath improvement prematurely of the occasion. I’m questioning whether or not there shall be funding out there after the occasion to maintain a few of these services open. Like, for instance, simply down the street from me at Glentress, they’re at present constructing the Begin and End enviornment for the Cross-Nation.

Trudy Lindblade: Yeah, undoubtedly, that’s the aim of the Services Fund. So, the £8 Million Services Fund wouldn’t have occurred if we hadn’t had this World Championships. It was a little bit of a catalyst. So, we’re actually happy with that.

And that was all about, you understand, inspiring a nation for biking about, you understand, constructing services. As a result of we’ve bought all of those folks which might be desirous to cycle and we’ve bought to verify Scotland’s bought these services to allow them to try this.

And that might be from making a pump observe to creating certain bathrooms and loos can be found inside services. There’s a spread of issues that that may go towards. So, for us, completely a part of the creation of those services is in order that they’ve a long-term use afterwards. So, for the funding that goes out, you understand, there must be a plan that’s submitted with that funding.

And, it’s not nearly creating it for the occasion. It’s truly about, you understand, for us it’s in regards to the earlier than, throughout, and after. For us, that after piece is actually essential as a result of there’s no level us doing this if we don’t have the after piece. Um, and that’s actually essential now. As soon as we’ve bought the funding it’s as much as the native authority or the company has been issued that funding to then be sure that they do this maintenance submit. However definitely, that’s all thought-about within the early levels after we’re assessing the bids for funding.

So, for us that’s actually essential. Relating to the XC Monitor close to you [Glentress], we’re working actually intently with Forestry and Land Scotland to develop the brand new trails in Glentress Forest. As you understand, they’re constructing that to a Grasp Plan. We’re including on some additional trails. There’ll be some very restricted momentary infrastructure. What we tried to do is restrict the quantity of momentary infrastructure as a result of we wish to preserve what we will. So, the timing for us is actually good to be internet hosting this down within the Tweed Valley. You already know, Forestry and Land Scotland had that Grasp Plan able to go, so we had been in a position to capitalize on that.

So completely, we’ll be hoping to go away as many trails as potential there so that folks can experience them afterwards. And actually, for a lot of of our occasions, um, you possibly can truly, in the intervening time, experience at most of the services; elements of the Mountain Bike Downhill, for instance.

You’ll be able to experience within the Tweed Valley Forest. You may not know the path but as a result of they haven’t launched the path, however there’ll be elements that folks can attempt to discover. You already know, you possibly can go to the Glasgow Velodrome on a Saturday or after work. Um, you understand, the Velodrome is open and I feel that’s a little-known indisputable fact that the Velodrome is open practically day-after-day of the yr. And you’ll go in and experience it. You are able to do a taster session, you may get your observe license, you possibly can take your youngsters on a Saturday morning. That’s a little bit of a legacy from the [2018] Commonwealth Video games.

So once more, you’ve bought one other main occasion legacy that we’re ready to make use of, you understand, slightly below 10 years on. Um, so actually essential that we get folks to expertise what we will, and, you understand, emulate their heroes to create the heroes of the long run.

Bikerumor: Are you able to inform us a lot about what the occasion at Fort William [Downhill] will appear to be? Will any new trails infrastructure be stepping into? Will the downhill observe be modified in any manner for the occasion or is it too early to say?

Trudy Lindblade: It’s a bit bit too early to say, however we’re undoubtedly working with Nevis Vary and with Uncommon Administration, our occasion supply companion, on what we will do to make the World Championships particular.

As a result of we all know how particular the World Cups are. I had the pleasure of being there this yr and simply, Wow. What an occasion. It bucketed down with rain. And it didn’t change how folks behaved. Are you aware what I imply? Like everybody’s nonetheless engaged. It was nonetheless sensible. It had nice racing. My son watches that downhill video, I reckon each second evening.

So, our problem is, how will we make it that bit higher? How will we make it right into a World Championship?

In order that’s the problem we’ve set our workforce, the problem we’ve set Uncommon Administration, and the problem we’ve set Nevis Vary. Um, and a part of that’s wanting on the course. So, um, there shall be extra to return. Yeah, we’ll undoubtedly be how we will make it simply that little bit completely different.

Bikerumor: Possibly some legacy options to remind everybody of the World Championships?

Trudy Lindblade: Completely. And you understand what? We’ve bought actually prepared and prepared companions in Nevis Vary and in addition Sports activities Scotland and the Scottish Authorities who would assist. If we will make these adjustments, we’ll be sure that we do this. So, we’re in these discussions in the intervening time and hopefully we’ll have one thing thrilling to share quickly.

Bikerumor: For the occasions themselves, will there be funding to assist athletes from deprived backgrounds to make the journey to Scotland compete?

Trudy Lindblade: Yeah, so this occasion is a chance for the UCI and for us to take a look at issues a bit bit in a different way.

So, it’s an goal of the UCI and, and with our assist, to have as many international locations as potential compete. Um, we discuss 120 nations of the 202 member federations of the UCI. If we might, we’d have each member nation compete and we’d work out a manner of supporting the UCI to make that occur.

Clearly, the position that we’ll play because the occasion supply companion is that we’ll attempt to make, notably for a few of these nations that would not have the assets that among the greater nations have, we are going to present some on the bottom options to assist them. And, I feel a very good instance there’s the para-athletes.

Um, so ensuring, since you’ve bought para-athletes that compete in street and observe, we’re how we may help them transfer between the venues. So, we’re working to seek out choices to work with them to make issues simpler as a result of we all know, and notably as the primary version of this occasion, we all know how folks will transfer across the occasion and the competitors schedule helps us with that planning.

Um, so we’re speaking to all of the federations and discovering out what works, what their questions are. Is there something that we want to consider as an organizer and the way can we assist them? After which clearly the UCI will play its roles by the way it makes use of its Solidarity Fund and different issues that they’ve in place for the way they assist member federations that may want extra assist in order that. However as soon as they’re on the bottom, we’ll definitely do what we will for these nations that would not have not the identical assets because the others. The truth is, even for the large nations, we additionally wish to make it so simple as potential for them too.

So, it’s simply hanging the steadiness to be trustworthy, as a result of we will’t do every part for everybody. We’ve bought a tremendous occasion to run. However we would like everybody to return to Scotland and expertise a good time. In order that’s our goal.

You’ll be able to preserve updated with 2023 UCI Biking World Championships information on Instagram, Twitter, and Fb, and plan your journey to Scotland to look at the motion in particular person at cyclingworldchamps.com