The Sicamous Pump Track has booked its first event even though construction hasn’t yet begun.
On March 13, the district announced its successful bid to host one of 15 qualifying events for the 2024 Velosolutions UCI [Union of Cyclists International] Pump Track World Championships this fall. When council awarded the $397,000 contract to build the track, it was ensured the Finlayson Park track would be built to the UCI standards to accommodate such competitions.
“This event will be a great addition to our slower should season time, promoting visitation and bringing both local and international riders to Sicamous,” Sicamous Economic Development Corporation coordinator Carly Procyshyn said of scoring one of the qualifiers.
After the season-opener in Genk, Belgium on April 20, “the series will continue through captivating landscapes worldwide,” the Velosolutions media release states. It then bounces between continents, with Lesotho in South Africa the second stop before heading back to Europe at tracks in Switzerland and Spain.
Other stops include Texas, Slovakia, Czechia, China, Denmark, Australia and New Zealand throughout the summer. On Sept. 7, the release adds, “the competition will then make its way to the breathtaking landscapes of Sicamous in British Columbia.”
The final stops include a return to Switzerland and China, before wrapping up in Germany on Sept. 21.
“The Qualifiers for the UCI Pump Track World Championships are not merely competitions; they are a global celebration of skill, speed and camaraderie,” the release reads. “As riders from around the world converge on these diverse locations, fans can expect incredible performances and unforgettable moments.”
The venue and date of the championships themselves will be announced at a later date.
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