Tuesday’s news that the USA will bid to hold the UCI world road race championships in Richmond, Virginia, in 2015 has predictably been given the thumbs up from two of American sports young stars. Taylor Phinney and Ben King will be 25 and 26 years old respectively in 2015 and, if the bid is successful, should start as major contenders on home soil.
Phinney won the world under 23 championship time trial this year, while King took the US Elite road race championships with a superb solo ride.
Both have said that they will be highly motivated by the thoughts of riding well on home soil. “The road world championships have not been held on American soil in my lifetime,” said Phinney, referring back to the worlds held in Colorado Springs in 1986, four years before he was born. “It will certainly give me, and the entire new generation of American cycling something to aspire to.”
King has competed in other worlds and has a sense for what it would mean to him. “Having attended three previous world championships I understand the magnitude and prestige of this multi-cultural event,” he stated. But there’s an additional reason for him to be motivated: “Bringing that to the city where I was born would certainly be a defining opportunity and highlight of my cycling career.”
One rider who has already picked up Elite gold medals is the time trialist Kristin Armstrong. She triumphed at the 2006 and 2009 worlds, and also took Olympic glory in 2008. Having already retired once, she is back in the pro ranks. It seems unlikely she would still be racing in five years time, but her experience means that her opinion is nevertheless a very valuable one.
“Hosting the world championships in Richmond would be an amazing opportunity for American athletes to compete for the sport’s highest honour on their home soil,” she said, doubtlessly wishing that they had the chance. “The event would offer the United States the opportunity to showcase the level of cycling we have on this side of the pond.”