JELENIA GORA – Yesterday, 8 July was the day when Jelenia Gora became a capital of university cycling, when the 2014 World University Cycling Championship kicked-off.
During the opening ceremony, which was held downtown, the Organizing Committee welcomed participants, coaches and referees. The ceremony started with the student-athletes’ parade. Over 150 riders from 21 countries marched behind their flags and then listened to the speeches by the Marshall of Lower Silesia Cezary Przybylski, the Vice-Mayor of Jelenia Gora Jerzy Luzyk, the President of the Organizing Committee Maciej Pawlowski and FISU Executive Committee member Rosaura Mendez Gamboa.
All speakers emphasized strong connections between cycling and the Lower Silesia region. The best example of it is Maja Wloszczowska, silver medalist at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, World and European Cycling Champion. Wloszczowska, who is a native of Jelenia Gora, was a honorary guest at the Opening Ceremony. One of the best mountain bike riders in Poland was also named an official patron of the Championship.
The first rivalries will take place today, Wednesday 9 July. The organizers hope that the time trial will be exciting for both cyclists and fans. Every competitor is going to ride a 24.8 km trial. Riders start from Podgorzynska street in Jelenia Gora. After a 4 km start they will have to climb a tough mountain near Sosnowka, while the finish is located at Cervi street in Jelenia Gora.
In the previous World University Cycling Championship, held in 2008 in Nijmegen (NED), the Dutch student-athletes took the biggest number of medals. How will it be this time?
WUC Bulletin
(Source: WUCOC)
