The world’s most populous country is set to host the Road World Championships for the first time. The International Cycling Union (UCI) has awarded the 2032 championships to the Indian metropolis of Pune. The second bidder, the Dutch city of Groningen and the Drenthe region, will host the 2034 World Championships. “There were two very good, solid bids and I think we have found a good solution for both organisers,” said UCI President David Lappartient.
In 1990, Japan became the first Asian host of the World Cup, with the tournament held in Utsunomiya. In 2016, the World Championships took place in Doha, the capital of Qatar, and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates has already been awarded the event for 2028. Pune in the West Indies will be the fourth Asian host city.
It was only in January that Pune hosted the first UCI stage race in India. The Indian Cycling Federation has big plans. “Three months ago, nobody would have thought it possible that we could host an event on the scale of a World Championships,” said Secretary-General Maninder Pal Singh. “I think it will be the biggest and most spectacular World Championships ever.”
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