ORGANISERS of a major cycling event which arrives in the Borders later this year have lit up a local tourist attraction to celebrate an exciting milestone.

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, which has a stage in Peeblesshire, is only six months away.

To celebrate the milestone, the first-of-its-kind event lit up landmarks across Scotland in the UCI rainbow - including Traquair House.

Councillor Euan Jardine, leader of Scottish Borders Council, said: “We are incredibly excited that the Scottish Borders will be hosting the Mountain Bike Marathon and Mountain Bike Cross Country disciplines of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in August this year.

Border Telegraph: Traquair House lit up in the UCI Cycling World Championship coloursTraquair House lit up in the UCI Cycling World Championship colours (Image: UCI Cycling World Championships)

“This is an incredible opportunity for the whole region, not just the Tweed Valley, with many thousands of spectators expected to visit over multiple days to see the world’s best compete, with millions also watching on TV around the globe.

“We want our communities, our businesses and our residents to get behind the event, and get the most out of it as possible, and also help us to ensure that there is a real legacy of hosting the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds, from cycling tourism to increased participation in cycling.”

The Borders leg of the championships will be held at Glentress from August 6-12.

Thousands of amateur and elite cycling athletes from all over the world will descend on Scotland this summer to compete in 13 competition categories.

On August 6 Glentress will host the Mountain Bike Marathon which will cover 100km of track. 

Then from August 8 the Mountain Bike Cross Country competition will begin in the Tweed Valley.

Border Telegraph:

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.”

As well as Glentress, venues across Scotland, including in Glasgow, Dumfries and Galloway, and Fort William, will host their own UCI World Championships competitions between August 3-13.

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