The decision to host 'The Worlds' in Richmond represents an exciting moment for the Capital Region, as this is the first time the United States has hosted the event since 1986, when Colorado Springs did the honours. The championship is the perfect forum to raise awareness of Richmond to a global audience as 450,000 spectators are expected to attend the event in-person, while hundreds of millions more watch the races from their homes across the world when it is broadcast by over 500 media outlets.

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe comments; “The impact of the UCI Road World Championships on the Commonwealth of Virginia will be far-reaching. Not only will we see the benefits of attracting spectators from the United States and all over the world, but Central Virginia also will be on display for a worldwide television audience”.

During the event, competitors will ride past some of Richmond and Central Virginia's most iconic views, including Monument Avenue (a historic boulevard named one of the “10 Great Streets in the U.S.”), Richmond National Battlefield Park (a historic Civil War site), the Hanover Courthouse (the third oldest courthouse still in use in America), Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (originally the Lakeside Wheel Club, a gathering spot for turn-of-the-century cyclists), Meadow Event Park (the birthplace of thoroughbred racing legend Secretariat), Kings Dominion (Virginia's premier amusement park) and Great Shiplock Park (the start of the Virginia Capital Trail, which is due for completion by September 2015). Other sites and locations on the cycling routes include a challenging climb up Governor Street, the Jefferson Davis Monument, the cobblestone streets of Shockoe Slip, Rocketts Landing in Henrico County, and Libby Hill, a view that influenced William Byrd II to name the city Richmond due to its similarities to Richmond upon Thames. All races will end at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Broad Street in downtown Richmond.

Richmond has a rich cycling history, including the Tour of America (1983), the Tour de Trump/Tour DuPont (1989-96), the CapTech Classic (2003-06) and the U.S. Open Cycling Championships (2007). In 2015, three Virginians, Ben King, Joe Dombrowski and Andrea Dvorak (one of the top U.S. cyclists) are expected to participate. On this side of the pond, word on the street is that ex-'Team Sky' rider, Sir Bradley Wiggins (winner of last year's World Time Trial), will compete for the UK once again in the hope of winning the all-important rainbow jersey.

Matt Gaffney, President and CEO of Capital Region USA, comments; “We are very excited that The UCI Road World Championships are returning to American soil. 'The Worlds' are a fantastic opportunity for Virginia to showcase itself to the world, and demonstrate all that the city of Richmond and its surrounding areas have to offer. We're counting down the days until we can roll out the red carpet and welcome the who's who of cycling to the Capital Region.”

Richmond Package with Purely America:

Departing on 16 September 2015, Purely America (0844 80 444 80 / Reservations@PurelyAmerica.co.uk) offers six nights in the Capital Region on a twin-centre stay in Washington DC and Richmond, Virginia, priced from £1,069 per person based on two people sharing accommodation and including all taxes. The price includes return flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow to Washington DC, three nights room only at The Capitol Skyline Hotel Washington DC followed by three nights at The Embassy Suites Richmond including daily American breakfast plus four days economy car hire including all taxes, insurances, unlimited mileage and breakdown cover. Purely America is ATOL Bonded.

For more information on the UCI Road World Championships, visit Richmond2015.com

To find out more about the Capital Region USA, visit www.capitalregionusa.co.uk

Press enquiries to Jo Thomas / Beth Higham at KBC PR & Marketing

jo.thomas@kbctravelgroup.com / beth.higham@kbctravelgroup.com

Tel: 01825 763636