Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003


By Paul Gains
Hamilton 2003 Press Chief

In the aftermath of one of the most successful UCI World Road Cycling Championships ever much of the cynicism that pervaded - some would argue impeded - preparations for this prestigious event, has vanished. Pride has replaced skepticism. Without a question Hamilton has proven worthy of hosting world-class events.

Half a billion people around the world can now point out the city on a map thanks to the wonderful treatment CBC television gave the event as host broadcaster. Never before has the city appeared so beautiful as CBC cameramen captured the excitement of the world's greatest cyclists amidst the splendid fall colours which marked the course, especially on the escarpment. The image of Hamilton as an industrial wasteland has been put on the backburner once and for all and many were the visitors who joined Hamiltonians in shouting "Bring on the Commowealth Games!"

Think back to the morning of October 12th when nearly 200 riders started the 260km elite men's road race. The crowds lining Main Street on both sides together with the ticket-buying spectators in the grandstands erupted in a cacophony of cheers. Police estimated the numbers at 104,000 for the day bringing the total number to well over 230,000 for the week.

As the cloudy skies gave way to sunshine cycling fans raced across central Hamilton to catch a glimpse of the race at different vantage points. This was the first time a Road World Championship has ever been held entirely inside a city centre and although some were temporarily inconvenienced the majority of the citizenry got involved in this once in a lifetime affair.

Who will forget the surprise and elation written across Igor Astarloa's face as he realised he was the winner of the race upsetting the heavily favoured Paolo Bettini of Italy?

Along with the gold medal the Spaniard also earned the right to wear the rainbow jersey, which is awarded to the world champion. For the next year he is entitled to wear this whenever he races. Though he won a mere 10,000 Swiss Francs for his victory he will capitalise on this for some time through endorsements as well as a professional team contract.

It wasn't just about Astarloa or the other winners either. More than 1,200 riders representing 57 countries came to Hamilton. There were more than 900 accredited members of the media from 33 countries. Many shook hands with press centre volunteers, posing for pictures with them and above all declaring the service they received as "Fantastic", "Formidable", "Excellent".

Cor Vos, the acclaimed cycling photographer from Holland told us "I have covered 30 world championships. I started in Montreal in 1974. This was fantastic!"

Even the Association d'Internationale Journalistes Cyclisme who had expressed concerns over the organisation prior to the start, had nothing but the highest praise for the organisation.

The same sentiments were expressed by athletes, team officials and even the UCI management who are ordinarily cautious about awarding the championships to a country outside of Europe. Indeed, this was only the third time the event has been held in North America. Mr. Hein Verbruggen, President of the UCI and a prominent member of the International Olympic Committtee was, according to his senior staff, very, very pleased.

Good fortune blessed the competition throughout the week. The sight of Canadian junior champion Kevin Lacombe being transported to hospital with a "significant closed head injury" during the junior men's road race was shocking. Yet, by Monday he had recovered from a potentially life threatening condition to go home to Amos, Quebec. His coach Eric Van Den Eynde says Kevin has no residual effects and is already plotting his return to major junior A hockey with Drummondville of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Hamilton 2003 will be remembered as a great event. In many ways it will also prove to be a yardstick for future world championships and may, hopefully, provide an impetus for a growth in cycling in this country. Regardless, the event has been a phenomenal success and why can I write this? As the late Will Rogers once said :It ain't bragging if you done it!"

Hamilton did it!