8 June 2023

Journalists given full Scottish experience on recent press trip

Cycling Worlds’ team and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), played host to key sports journalists on a productive and successful press trip.

Cycling Worlds’ communications team and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), played host to key sports journalists from prestigious European titles on a productive and successful press trip, from the 30 May to the 2 June. The trip enabled us to offer the warmest welcome to Scotland, with a journey around various regions and venues of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

The tier one titles on the trip were France’s L’Equipe, Belgium’s La Derniere Heure and Het Nieusblad, Spain’s EFE and the Netherlands’ De Telegraaf. We blended not only the magical history and culture of Scotland but also tours of the world class venues that will host elite athletes this summer.

Highlights of our three-day itinerary:

Table with whisky glasses ready for a tasting

Day 1

Landing into Scotland’s inspiring capital, Edinburgh, gave the journalists a short glimpse of what to expect for the start of the men’s road race (more of this to come on day 2). The sunshine followed us as we made our way to Papple Steading, Haddington, East Lothian, originally a farm dating back to the 1800s. Now under restoration and renovation, this tranquil business and holiday retreat features luxurious accommodation in a stunning countryside setting and was the journalists’ home from their first evening.

Alongside a delicious first dinner catered by our hosts, we were joined by our Chief Executive Officer, Trudy Lindblade and our Director of Strategy, Policy and Impacts, Craig Burn.

Welcoming our journalists to Scotland, they shared what athletes and spectators can expect this August as the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships takes place, and how this inaugural event truly is a catalyst for behavioural change.

Day 2

The Men's elite road race route was the focus on the morning of day 2, with our tour beginning at the race’s starting location in Edinburgh at foot of the historic Royal Mile, and at the gates of Holyrood Palace in the Old Town. Following the route out of the city, we headed towards the newest bridge across the Firth of Forth, the Queensferry Crossing, taking in the spectacular views the men’s elite athletes will experience as they head across the water to the ancient Kingdom of Fife.

Stopping for a well-earned coffee at the coastal and National Trust of Scotland’s treasure, the village of Culross, our group then progressed onto Stirling for lunch in majestic style, hosted by Historic Environment Scotland in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum at Stirling Castle. Stirling Castle will serve as the finish line of the Elite, U23 and Junior Time Trials. Guided by one of our expert Road Race managers, the journalists, on foot this time, previewed the steep, winding and challenging route that will bring a dramatic end to the Time Trials.

After a morning focussed on the Championships, our journalists enjoyed an afternoon at Glengoyne distillery in Dumgoyne where they learned about their whisky making process and became master blenders of their own single malt whisky. After following the final stretch of the race along the Crow Road, we then entered Glasgow with the sun setting and enjoyed a delicious dinner at Red Onion, an award-winning restaurant in Glasgow city centre, and a short walk from the Glasgow Circuit.

Day 3

After an overnight stay at the voco Grand Central hotel, the final day dawned with a focus on the host city of Glasgow and the venues and city centre areas that will host 8 of the 13 Championship disciplines. With support from Glasgow Life, the journalists spent time at Championship venues including George Square, Glasgow Green and the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

Whilst stopping for a light lunch at Drygate, we were joined by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce for an inspiration presentation about their city-wide sustainability campaign about coffee waste, Grounds for Recycling, inspired by the Championships and the sustainability focus at the heart of the event.

Then the time came for the journalists to get into the saddle themselves with Gallus Pedals for a tour of Glasgow, covering some of the road race final circuit as well as some of Glasgow’s hidden gems and most iconic architectural sites.

For the last and final send off, we headed to local Scottish restaurant Mharsanta, centred in one of the oldest streets in Glasgow, Bell Street in the Merchant City. With the warmest of Scottish welcomes, we indulged in their recently launched Taste of Scotland dining experience. The incredible 5-course immersive tasting menu took our guests on a gastronomic tour of the country whilst viewing (virtually) some of Scotland’s most stunning landscapes and scenery.

With the final, Slainte, we bid them a safe journey home. And with less than 60 days to go, we look forward to welcoming them back to Scotland for the world’s biggest cycling event ever!