Bordeaux 2007 : 40 Nations on stage on the way to BEIJING !

The International Cycling Union (UCI) together with the Handisport French Federation (FFH) organize from August 19 to 27 2007, the UCI Paracycling World Championships both in Bordeaux (track competitions) and Villenave d’Ornon (road competitions).
This event will gather the world elite of paracycling, namely up to almost 400 sports men and women representing over 40 nations.This represents the most important “ rendez-vous” for the sport itself before the Paralympic Games to be held in Beijing in 2008.

After Utah (USA) back in1998, Altenstadt (Germany) in 2002 and Aigle (Switzerland) last year, Bordeaux will be host to the World Championships; this fourth edition is the first one officially set under the aegis of the International Cycling Union (UCI). The latter was mandated by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in September 2006, in order to coordinate the development of Paracycling throughout the world as well as the organization of major international competitions.

Paracycling is practised by three great categories of competitors: the standing sports men and women (after an amputation), the visually deficient sports men and women (competing in tandem with a pilot)and the wheelchair bound athletes (competing with a handbike or handcycling). This strictly abides by the UCI rules. Only a few adjustments are necessary owing to the visual deficiency or the handbike practise.

At the sports level this international competition, selective for the next Summer Paralympic Games to be held in Beijing in 2008, should be of a high level. This meeting will be the opportunity to see anew the French medallists of the Athens Paralympic Games, namely Laurent Thirionet, Patrice Senmartin, Michel Alcaïne together with several French hopefuls such as Loïc Courpron (Blanquefort). France is now in the Top Ten Nations of the Field (combining track and road). It will attempt to shine again in front of its audience while facing such great nations as Germany, Australia, Spain, Great Britain and Canada.

The track competitions will open the Championships from August 19 to 22 within the prestigious indoor cycling Velodrome Stadium set at Bordeaux-Lac, which hosted the track World Championships in 2006.
The start of the road competitions, from August 24 to 27, will take place at Villenave d’Ornon. The setting, made up of two loops (4.5 km=2.8 miles and 9.9 km=6.18 miles) will offer an outstanding background for both competitors and onlookers, on the field of one of the best vineyard country, with the “ Pessac-Léognan” name.

The Opening Ceremony set August 19, at 6.30 p.m. , inside the Vélodrome Stadium at Bordeaux-Lac, will represent the starting point of this major event; march of the nations, a big show, music, colours, surprises… (for about one and a half hour). Without forgetting that the first track competitions will have begun as early as 1.30 p.m. on that very day !
(free entrance for the onlookers- information for groups-call:05.57.22.46.11)

40 nations
600 Delegates , among whom over 400 competitors
Almost 300 organizers and staff
8 Days of competition : 4 days on track and 4 days on road
Some 3000 onlookers expected