North America’s First Road Cycling World Championships in a Decade Will Be Brutal

North America is set to host the Road Cycling World Championships for the first time in a decade, with VeloNews reporting the course will be "brutal." While specific details on the host city and exact dates are yet to be officially confirmed, the article highlights a significant return of cycling's premier annual road event to the continent, promising a challenging parcours designed to test the world's best.

This return marks a notable shift, following the 2015 Richmond, Virginia, Worlds and subsequent editions largely confined to Europe. The choice of a "brutal" North American course suggests a deliberate move away from the flatter, more sprinter-friendly routes sometimes seen, potentially favouring punchy classics riders or climbers. It also reflects a continued effort by the UCI to broaden the sport's global footprint, leveraging the North American market's growing interest in cycling.

A brutal course in North America? One can almost hear the European pros booking their altitude camps already. Let's hope the local crowds are as robust as the climbs.