BMX World Championships Media Release

 No: bmx1002

12 April 2010

 
Pietermaritzburg gears up for UCI BMX World Champs

Pietermaritzburg -  KwaZulu-Natal is gearing up to host the UCI BMX World Championships at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg just three weeks after the conclusion of the FIFA Soccer World Cup.

The four day competition, from 29 July to 1 August, will see the best BMX riders from around the world converging on Pietermaritzburg to compete on a state-of-the-art track that will be built in the main arena at the showgrounds surrounded by ringside spectator seating.

With around 1500 riders anticipated, bringing with them another 5 000 supporters, family and crew, the event will provide a significant economic injection for the greater KwaZulu-Natal economy.

“The timing, just a few weeks after the end of the World Cup, is ideal,” said event organiser Alec Lenferna. “The transport and infrastructure that is being upgraded for the World Cup, including the new King Shaka airport, will all benefit the UCI BMX World Championships and make for a world class experience for every person visiting the province for this event.”

More importantly, Lenferna stresses that the marketing value of the event will provide long term, tangible benefits for the city, province and country as a whole.

“This is South Africa’s time to shine, and the fact that we will be hosting the biggest event on the global BMX calendar a few days after the world has witnessed the FIFA World Cup in South Africa is hugely significant,” said Lenferna.

“Pietermaritzburg might not be hosting a match in the FIFA World Cup, but hosting the UCI BMX World Champs gives the city a perfect opportunity to capitalise on the fact that South Africa is the ‘flavour of the month’ internationally, and position the city as a premier sporting and tourist destination,” he added.

Pietermaritzburg already has a reputation as a top international cycling competition destination, having successfully hosted the 2008 Intakatech Worlds View Challenge road race, and the Nissan UCI MTB World Cup and UCI BMX Supercross World Cup last year.

“We have already earned our stripes as organisers of cycling events to the highest international standards,” said Lenferna. “Our challenge in 2010 is to take that to the next level, and deliver this world championship with the hospitality that KwaZulu-Natal is famous for.”

Lenferna confirmed that many of the entrants had been enquiring about tourist opportunities in the region and were planning to extend their stay around the world champs to visit game parks and local tourists attractions.

Competitors will start arriving in the city from Sunday 25 July ahead of the registration opening on Monday 26 July. Tuesday and Wednesday will be dedicated to practice on the competition arena track, with the first heats getting under way on Thursday, building to the finals on Sunday 1 August.

The UCI BMX World Championships takes place at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg from 29 July to 1 August. More information can be found at www.bmxworldchampspmb.co.za

ENDS

“This is South Africa’s time to shine", said UCI BMX World Champs organiser Alec Lenferna

Gameplan Media

The arena at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg will play host to the UCI BMX World Championships from 29 July to 1 August 2010.

Gameplan Media