Norway not giving up on UCI world championships 2016
The Norwegian cycling committee has shown a lot of disappointment after it has been denied to host the UCI World Championships in 2016.
The UCI World Championships are held every year by the international cycling body which determines the top cyclists in different categories of the sport.
The event is held in a different country each year and winners of the championship wear a white jersey with coloured stripes for the subsequent year.
The colours on the jersey are quite similar to the rainbow which is why it is often referred to as “the rainbow jersey”.
The top three cyclists or teams are entitled for the gold, silver and bronze medals whereas, the former world champions wears a trim to their sleeves and collar in the same way as the rainbow jersey.
It is pretty much possible that Qatar might host the 2016 event and the Norwegian Cycling president called it “completely hopeless” considering the fact that Qatar does not have that strong following for the sport.
Former World Champion Thor Hushovd has announced to end his career in 2016 after the Championships and he is also looking forward to have his final appearance in front of the home crowd.
He succeeded during the 2010 and will only retire if his country hosts the 2016 World Championships.
Norway and Qatar both showed interest to host the 2017 edition of the Championships but it has now been revealed that Qatar is the only applicant for the 2016 edition of the race.
President of the Norwegian Cycling Federation, Harald Tiedemann Hansen briefed to Procycling.no that Qatar applied for hosting the 2015 event on short notice which is being hosted by the United States of the America.
If UCI allowed USA to go on with the 2015 event, Qatar will automatically qualify to host the World Championships in 2016.
“Qatar has shown its willingness to be a reserve in 2015, on short notice,” Herald cited.
“If they do not take over the championship from the United States, they have pretty much been promised the championships in 2016".
“To be honest, it's completely hopeless. Firstly: It is incredibly hot in the month of September there. In addition, the terrain is completely flat”.
“I cannot think of any ways that Qatar is a better candidate than Norway with a view to the cycling world championships".
Tiedemann Hansen has not given up hope entirely, though. "We are in dialogue about the 2017, but have not given up on 2016".
It will be interesting to see if Norway succeeds in hosting the 2016 edition of the UCI World Championships.
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