Iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct and Scottish landmarks lit up in global colours six months ahead of the start of 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships across several Scottish venues including Fort William

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships take place in Scotland this summer, and some of the country's landmarks were lit up in the colours of the world to start the six month countdown.

Glenfinnan Viaduct, near Fort William, made famous by the crossing of the Hogwarts Express in the Happy Potter movies, was one of the iconic locations illuminated in coloured stripes.

In recognition of Fort William hosting the Mountain Bike Downhill events at the sporting extravaganza, the viaduct was lit up in glorious fashion with the colours of the UCI rainbow stripes.

It reflected not only the range of locations and venues where the UCI World Championships will take place, in a pan-Scotland celebration of cycling, but also how Scotland will be welcoming the world, with the stripes signifying the five continents.

The first-of-its-kind event also involved lighting up iconic landmarks in Glasgow and across Scotland where the 13 UCI World Championship events are set to take place from August 3-13.

From the Riverside Museum on the banks of the river Clyde in Glasgow to the majesty of Edinburgh Castle, the historic Stirling Castle, and the fortress like Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland was on full display to begin the countdown to the inaugural cycling event in August.

All landmarks were chosen as they are located in the regions that are venues for the Championships.

As well as the Highland icon at Glenfinnan, the waters of Loch Lomond in West Dunbartonshire and in the Scottish Borders, the historic Traquair House were also illuminated in the colours of the iconic UCI rainbow stripes, helping to build awareness and anticipation for the upcoming championships.

These regions of Scotland will see more than 8,000 amateur and elite cycling athletes from over 120 countries competing across the 13 UCI World Championships for the first time at the mega-event, making it the largest event in cycling history.

To register for tickets or for additional information, please visit the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships website.

The anticipated global TV audience will place the event in the top-10 most watched sporting events in the world, rivalling the Olympics and Commonwealth Games and placing Scotland on the world stage as a destination for elite cycling and cycle tourism.

For full schedule and event information visit the championships website.

Venues and Locations already announced include:

• BMX Freestyle Park (Glasgow Green, Glasgow)

• BMX Freestyle Flatland (Glasgow Green, Glasgow)

• BMX Racing (Glasgow BMX Centre, Glasgow)

• Gran Fondo (TBA)

• Indoor (Emirates Arena, Glasgow)

• Mountain Bike Cross Country (Glentress Forest, Tweed Valley)

• Mountain Bike Downhill (Nevis Range, Fort William)

• Mountain Bike Marathon (Glentress Forest, Tweed Valley)

• Para-cycling Road (Dumfries & Galloway)

• Para-cycling Track (Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Glasgow)

• Road (Road Starts: Edinburgh, Loch Lomond; Road Race Finish: George Square, Glasgow; Time Trial: Stirling)

• Track (Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Glasgow)

• Trials (Glasgow Green, Glasgow)

Former Moray MP and current Culture Secretary for the Scottish Government, Angus Robertson said: “It’s only six months to go until the eyes of the world are on Glasgow and Scotland for the UCI Cycling World Championships.

"Not only will this be an incredible showcase of talent from across the globe but it’s also a fantastic opportunity to highlight all that Scotland has to offer to people travelling from near and far for the event. We look forward to welcoming everyone from athletes to cycling enthusiasts to people just looking for a great day out.”

UCI President David Lappartient said: “We are now into the final stretch of preparations for these milestone UCI Cycling World Championships. Illuminating landmarks at key venues in Glasgow and across Scotland has given everyone a true sense of the importance and enormity of this inaugural event. Six months will pass by quickly and I cannot wait to see fans and athletes from cycling’s many different disciplines join together for these eleven days of excitement, celebration and competition that will crown virtually all of our UCI World Champions for 2023.”

Paul Bush, OBE, Chair of 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships said: “Shining the iconic UCI rainbow jersey colours onto some of the country’s most incredible and well-known locations heralds another significant milestone in the run up to the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships.

“With six months to go until Scotland hosts the biggest cycling event ever staged, the lighting up of landmarks acts as a celebratory beacon ahead of eleven action packed days in August where UCI World Champions will be crowned, and audiences wowed by must-see moments. Having mega events of this size and scale in our calendar further strengthens Scotland’s position as a world-leading events destination and reinforces Scotland’s place as the perfect stage for events”.

The event will be delivered in collaboration between the UCI, Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, UK Sport, British Cycling, Glasgow Life and VisitScotland with its EventScotland team through 2023 Cycling World Championships Ltd, with the partnership creating a blueprint for future editions by ensuring the inaugural event is authentic, innovative, and distinctive.