Verona’s Route Chosen for 2004 UCI World Cycling Championships Time Trials
Charlie Mottet has arrived by the lakeside. The cycling star, now technical delegate of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), has reviewed the route proposed by Bardolino for the 2004 World Cycling Championships.
The candidacy of the Gardesane center, in partnership with Verona, was submitted earlier this year by the committee led by Teofilo Sanson, which includes collaborators such as Giuseppe Degani, former provincial president of the Cycling Federation.
It was up to the «pro» and the public works councilor Aristide Avanzini to accompany the French champion along the chosen route for the five time trial races (the other world championship events are on the Torricelle), a rider who finished second at the Colorado World Championships won by Moreno Argentin, and at the 1990 Giro d’Italia.
At the end of the inspection, Mottet expressed words of appreciation, having been received at the town hall by Mayor Armando Ferrari and sports councilor Gino Viola.
Mottet’s comments on the route
«It is a beautiful route, free of long straight stretches and with many climbs and descents that can bring vibrancy to the time trial. Moreover, it offers the best scenery».
The start of all five time trial races would always be from the Lungolago Lenotti, with the finish after a route that winds through the inland Gardesane area and visits various towns, on the main road in front of the San Severo bell tower.
The area in front of Villa Serena would host the TV vehicles, while opposite the public gardens would be the space for the VIP village and the tribunes.
The entire Villa Carrara Bottagisio would instead serve as the headquarters and press room.
Competitors and final choice
To turn the dream into reality, it is necessary to beat the competition from cities like Valladolid in Spain, areas such as Black Forest in Germany, and Italian centers including Cuneo, Imola, and Caneva in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
The final decision, expected in October in conjunction with the Lisbon World Championships, will obviously rest with the Union Cycliste Internationale and its president Hein Verbruggen, who has never hidden his enthusiasm for the beauty of the route and the organizational level demonstrated by Verona during the 1999 world competitions.
The race routes
The routes: Junior Men and Elite Women – Km. 25. Bardolino – Cavaion – Ronchi – Pastrengo – Lazise – Cisano – Bardolino.
Junior Women – Km. 18. Bardolino – Cavaion – Calmasino – Veronello – Lazise – Cisano – Bardolino.
Under 23 – Km. 36. Bardolino – Garda – Costermano – Caprino – Rivoli – Sega – Campara – Veronello – Lazise – Bardolino.
Professionals – Km. 50. Bardolino – Garda – Costermano – Caprino – Rivoli – Sega – Campara – Pastrengo – Sandrà – Colà – Pastrengo – Lazise – Cisano – Bardolino.