UCI World Road Racing Championships to take Place in Ticino, Switzerland at Mendrisio 23-27 September, 2009
After almost forty years the World Road Cycling Championships return to Mendrisio! The atmosphere is set to thrill both competitors and spectators alike, and all who share their appreciation for the beautiful region hosting the event, for the splendid routes featuring challenging uphills and breathtaking downhills, and for the sheer variety of entertainment and cultural side-events on offer. Four days of competition and spectacular racing, introduced by a very special opening ceremony complete with a fresh performance of music from the 1939 “Sacra Terra del Ticino.”
After 38 years the Road cycling world championships are to return to the pretty town. The winner of the 1971 world championships will also be back: Eddy Merckx! After having seen the route designed by the organisers, the cycling legend said “I would have liked so much to compete on this course. It’s wonderful but quite hard, the challenging uphills and breathtaking downhills will not leave any time for rest at all”. A statement which clearly leaves no doubt as to the upcoming spectacle that this event promises. A perfect chance for the many bike fans to admire the best world cyclists and cover with their own bikes the same roads that the champions will face in competition.
The challenging and spectacular routes stretch across the Mendrisiotto and Basso Ceresio regions, allowing the athletes to compete at a super-high technical level and the spectators to enjoy the beauty of the landscape. Four days of competition, divided into various categories for both men and women, complete with a rich side programme of cultural and entertainment events. Among these, a prestigious exhibition at the Mendrisio Arts Museum, entitled “The image of the athlete in ancient times”, featuring works from the Basel Antikenmuseum and other important Swiss and German museums.
The opening ceremony includes an updated version of the 1939 musical “Sacra Terra del Ticino” (“Sacred land of Ticino”), whose text was written by Guido Calgari and set to music by Giovan Battista Mantegazzi. Bands and music from across Ticino will support what promises to be a spectacular opening event.
Website: www.mendrisio09.ch
September 7, 2009
Posted in: Switzerland