2013 UCI World Cycling Tour: On the road to the Final in Italy

The mythic Giro d’Italia climb, Monte Bondone, will be the ultimate challenge for the cyclists who qualify for a starting slot in the Final of this year’s UCI World Cycling Tour (UWCT). After Finals in Belgium (2011) and South Africa (2012), the 2013 UWCT Final will be the most challenging yet, starting in downtown Trento and finishing with the 20km climb to the top of Monte Bondone, which towers 1654 meters above the Italian town.

To get there, riders will have to qualify at one of 14 qualifier events held throughout the world. Some have already earned the right to compete in the Final at the first event in Lorne, Australia, and the next opportunity comes this Sunday, April 7 th , in Saint Tropez (France). The UWCT moves back to Australia one week later for another warm, coastal event: this time in Perth.

In May the UWCT arrives in the state of New York (USA), opening the season in North America. This will be followed by the Copenhagen Gran Fondo, where the UCI Bike City expects to draw participants from Scandinavia and further afield for its road race and time trial. Chania, on the Greek Island of Crete, and Belgium also host their qualifier events in May.

In June, the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana will show why it was recently announced host city of the 2014 UWCT Final. Its road race is one of the biggest and most traditional in the series, with the city centre fully closed for cyclists. The second event of the month will take riders through the rolling mountains of Austria to St. Polten, situated not far from Vienna.

The month of July will give riders a chance to preview the most challenging UWCT Final ever. The qualifier event in Trento will feature most of the climbs and scenery of this season’s Final. In August and September, Brazil and Spain provide the last opportunities for riders to qualify for this legendary Final.

Trento is pulling out all the stops to ensure that competitors in the 2013 UWCT Final (formerly the Road Masters World Championships) enjoy an unforgettable experience. The rainbow colors will be everywhere and the top of the famous Giro d’Italia climb, Monte Bondone itself, will be standing like a podium for the ones who reach its summit.

About the UCI World Cycling Tour
The UCI World Cycling Tour (UWCT) is a series of UCI-sanctioned races held all over the world. Some 15 qualifier events will qualify the top 25% in each age group for the UWCT
Final, the former UCI Masters Road World Championships, where the champions are awarded with the coveted rainbow jersey.

More information : www.uciworldcyclingtour.com

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