Wolverhampton and Warwick will host the start and finish of the road cycling events at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The games, set to be staged from 28 July to 8 August 2022, will see West Park in Wolverhampton as the setting for the Time Trial, while St Nicholas Park in Warwick will have the cycling Road Race.
Wolverhampton has strong links to road cycling, with the first mass start cycling road race being held in the city in 1942.
More recently, Andy Tennant, who was born and still lives in the city, was part of Team England who won silver in the Team Pursuit at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
“I am absolutely delighted that West Park has been chosen, especially as this is a park I raced in as a young cyclist,” Tennant said.
Ian Brookfield, City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, said:
“Part of our commitment to Relighting our City is to host world-class events and hosting this event will do exactly that.“
As for Warwick, District Council Leader, Councillor Andrew Day, said:
“This welcome news brings the promise of better times ahead, protecting jobs and encouraging investment in our key hospitality businesses, leaving a Games legacy that will benefit our local economy for decades to come.”
Councillor Izzi Seccombe, leader of Warwickshire County Council, said:
“The Commonwealth Games Road Race will be the crowning jewel demonstrating that Warwickshire is a world-class location for cycling and cyclists, having played host to legs of both the men’s and women’s Tour of Britain over the last few years.”
The routes for both events have not yet been finalised, however, organisers have confirmed the Road Race will take place on a Sunday. The full daily schedule for the Games is to be announced in due course.
Chairman for Birmingham 2022, John Crabtree, said:
“Birmingham 2022 is a regional Games with Birmingham at its heart, and holding our cycling competitions in the Black Country and Warwickshire increases our regional reach.
“Both parks are scenic locations and will guarantee a fantastic experience for spectators and cyclists alike, with TV viewers from across the globe also being treated to a showcase of the rich and varied landscape that the West Midlands has to offer.”
