Free summer holiday workshops have been arranged for school pupils to create colourful posters for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
They are also part of Stirling Council’s Play in the Park activity programme – free, three hour events open to all children and families, which have been taking place at different locations across the Stirling area throughout the summer holidays.
Stirling is ready to welcome the world and will stage the Individual Time Trials from Wednesday 9 August to Friday 11 August for all categories – Men’s Elite, Women’s Elite, U23 Men and Men and Women Juniors.
Talents
Budding Banksys aged 5-14 from the top of the town in Stirling, supported by artists from Creative Stirling and GOSSIP Collective, headed to the Tolbooth earlier this week to put colouring pens and paint to paper as the city gears up to host the biggest sporting event in its history.
Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Chris Kane said: “Children from across all communities in Stirling have embraced the free workshops and Play in the Park activity programme to express their artistic talents, as well as show their appreciation for the forthcoming Individual Time Trials.
“It’s a fabulous opportunity for the people of Stirling, as well as visitors from across Scotland, the UK and rest of the world, to show their encouragement for these world class athletes as they race through our city streets and scenic villages.
“The Individual Time Trials finish with a sprint up the cobbles to the esplanade at Stirling Castle and the image of our children holding their posters of support will surely inspire every competitor.
“By hosting these world-class events we want to celebrate all the great things Stirling has to offer and encourage more people of all ages to take up cycling and get more active. It will be fantastic to see Stirling’s children and young people lining the routes in August and be inspired by the power of the bike.”
Skye Honeyman, who attended the workshop at the Tolbooth with brother Sandy, said: "It was fun being able to make my flag. I am looking forward to seeing the cyclists from lots of different countries coming into Stirling and cheering them on."
Covering up to 48km of roads, the Individual Time Trials will see riders set off from the King’s Knot in the shadow of Stirling Castle, before heading out west into the countryside and looping back into Stirling’s historic city centre, with a sprint through the city to the finish on esplanade.
To ensure the Individual Time Trials can take place safely, certain roads will be closed for extended periods.
Communications
Three of the Road Races at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will also pass through the Stirling area – Men Elite (Sunday 6 August), U23 Men (Saturday 12 August) and Elite Women (Sunday 13 August).
The Men Elite will start in Edinburgh and finish in Glasgow city centre, taking in the Carron Valley and Fintry, while the U23 Men and Women Elite will start in Balloch at the foot of Loch Lomond, before heading towards Drymen, Balfron and Fintry, with riders also crossing the line in Glasgow city centre.
These races will require short-term rolling road closures and affected residents and businesses will receive direct communications from event partners.
More information is available at www.stirling.gov.uk/ucichamps and yourstirling.com. The full event schedule can be accessed by visiting: www.cyclingworldchamps.com. To register and receive email updates on the events in Stirling, click here.
The 'Get Ready' section of www.cyclingworldchamps.com will act as a practical hub for local residents and businesses, while a new Business Guide has also been added for organisations across Scotland prepare for and welcome the Champs.