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Hanover’s Perspective

The World Cycles into Hanover in September

The 2015 UCI Road World Championships, cycling’s pinnacle event, will be held September 19-27, 2015 in Richmond and surrounding areas. More than 1,000 of the globe's best cyclists, representing 75 countries, will compete in 12 championship races across nine days.

Hanover County is hosting the Men’s Elite Road Race, dubbed the “Race of Truth,” on September 23. The 32.9-mile race will begin at 1 p.m. and end at approximately 3:30 p.m. with most of course traversing through Hanover.

The Elite Men will begin at the gates of Kings Dominion and speed past Meadow Event Park, home to the State Fair of Virginia and birthplace of thoroughbred racing legend Secretariat.

Racers will head south on Route 301 travelling past the Hanover County Courthouse, the third oldest courthouse still in use in the U.S. and dating back to about 1740. They will turn off Route 301 onto Georgetown Road and Pine Ridge Road.
Looping back to Route 301, racers will continue south before turning onto Wilkinson Road cycling through Virginia Union University before turning into downtown. The finish line will be on Governor Street in the heart of Richmond.

“Our residents and business community couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the biggest cycling event to come to the United States,” said Wayne Hazzard, chairman of the Hanover Board of Supervisors. “From Kings Dominion, the region’s largest tourist attraction, to the Hanover County Courthouse, the third-oldest operating courthouse in the country, we’re a community rich in history.”

Nearly 450,000 on-site spectators are expected over the course of the nine days of the event. Many spectators will travel here from other nations, many more will be local residents and those traveling from within 100 miles of the Richmond region. Millions more will be watching at home on television.

“We’re thrilled to host cycling competitors and spectators from all over the world,” said Edwin Gaskin, director of Hanover County Economic Development. “Those visiting Hanover will find many things to do from visiting historical landmarks to destination shopping to entertainment venues.” 

Richmond was chosen as the first American host of the event since 1986 after a competitive bid process similar to the Olympics. For the growth of the sport, the UCI has a mission of holding the event outside of Europe every five years. Richmond was awarded the event on September 21, 2011.

“Richmond’s business community has great anticipation for one of the world’s biggest cycling events,” said Kim Scheeler, CEO/president, Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce. “Richmond will be open for business and ready to showcase the kind of hospitality we’ve become known for.”

For more information on the 2015 UCI Road World Championships, including how you can be involved or how you can plan your visit, visit Richmond 2015.