One chance out of two. By applying this Saturday to host the 2027 world championships, France has only one opponent to rule out: the Netherlands. The suspense will end in September when the International Cycling Union (UCI), chaired by Frenchman David Lappartient, who is currently serving his second term, will designate the host country for 2027.
In five years, the double French world champion, Julian Alaphilippe will be 34 years old and may still be present. “I’m almost 30 years old, he told Ouest-France at the end of November, but the day I start thinking about it [à la retraite], it will smell bad. I know I have a few years left, will it be five, six, seven? In any case, I’m still very motivated, that’s the most important thing. »
Sixteen disciplines bringing together all the disciplines of cycling (road, track), mountain biking and BMX, particularly for men, women and disabled sports, are on the menu of these 2027 Worlds.
With this candidacy, France hopes to organize for the 10th time in its history (in 88 editions) the world high mass. The last time dated back to 2000 in Plouay in Morbihan. If France is selected, the Worlds will take place in Haute-Savoie for the fourth time after Sallanches (1964), Gap (1972) and above all Sallanches (1980) with the legendary coronation of Bernard Hinault.
“Haute-Savoie naturally stands out as a showcase for our beautiful country, homeland of cycling”, indicate in a joint press release Martial Saddier and Michel Callot, presidents respectively of the departmental council and the FFC, evoking “the majestic Mont Blanc, roof of Europe, the mythical passes, places of historical exploits and regular training”.
Rwanda in 2025, Montreal in 2026?
For the next editions, the competitions have already been assigned: Wollongong (Australia) in September, Glasgow (Scotland) in 2023, Zurich (Switzerland) in 2024 and Kigali (Rwanda) in 2025. For 2026, Montreal has already announced his candidacy, fifty years after the Summer Olympics in the Canadian city.
“What moves me is to see how sport has gained in place and importance in France today. Obviously this is due a lot to the successful bid won by France for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024, but it is also due to the permanent, continuous commitment of a large number of French men and women in our territories. , said Roxana Maracineanu, the delegate minister in charge of sports, in a video posted on the Facebook page of the Haut-Savoyard department.