The 2023 UCI Indoor Cycling World Championships will be part of the first-ever UCI Cycling World Championships taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland from 3 to 13 August. Gracia Sotomayor will be flying the flag for Peru in artistic cycling, while Austrian Patrick Schnetzer will be looking to claim his ninth cycle-ball rainbow jersey.
Their views three months out from this ground-breaking event bringing together 13 UCI World Championships.
How did you get into indoor cycling?
Gracia Sotomayor (GS): I started artistic cycling in 2019 when I moved to Worms, Germany, to learn the sport. I watched it for the very first time a year earlier and contacted different athletes who led me to the UCI World Championships in Liège in November 2018. There I watched the sport live and met Stefan Born who said he could be my trainer in VfH Worms.
Patrick Schnetzer (PS): I started playing cycle-ball in 2001 at the age of seven. A family acquaintance was a cyclist at the time and that's how I got into the sport. I was just supposed to give it a try back then and I've stuck with it ever since
What number UCI World Championships is this for you?
GS: This is the third UCI World Championships at which I have the opportunity to represent my country.
PS: Glasgow would be my 13th participation in the UCI World Championships.
Which countries has your sport taken you to?
GS: As an athlete, I have been able to participate in Hungary, Belgium and Germany. And as a promoter of the sport, I have so far visited Peru, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay. In each country, I contact the National Federation to explain the sport. I also go to social organisations, so they can use the sport as a tool of empowerment for children.
PS: The UCI World Championships I have participated in have been in Germany, Japan, Belgium, Malaysia, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland. I have also played tournaments in Hungary, France and the Netherlands.
Have you been to Great Britain before?
GS: No, so I am really excited to get to see a bit of this wonderful country!
PS: Last year, with Stefan Feuerstein and the team from Schiefbahn in Germany, we visited Bath and Southampton [England] to train with the athletes and make the sport better known.
What is the appeal of a UCI Indoor Cycling World Championships for you?
GS: I love the UCI World Championships becauseI can watch the impossible become real through the effort of each athlete, and I can only feel inspired.
PS: It's just a really cool experience when you get to play in front of such a backdrop. You work towards that one moment all year round and compete with the best and most consistent teams. When you stand on the floor and feel the atmosphere, it motivates you even more.
What is your goal at the UCI World Championships in Glasgow?
GS: I would like to learn backwards and higher figures. So far, my figures are with two wheels on the floor. And I also want to perform saddle-handlebar-stands without hesitation.
PS: Of course, I hope that we manage to successfully defend our UCI World title.
What are your hopes for indoor cycling in Glasgow?
GS: I really hope that the discipline gets more awareness in more countries. I hope that more people feel inspired and feel the power of the bike.
PS: I hope that we will finally get the media attention that our sport deserves. Hopefully, this can and will help our sport enormously.
Will you watch the other cycling competitions and if so, which ones?
GS: I'll be there from Thursday onwards, so I hope to watch BMX, cyclo-cross and trials.
PS: We travel to Glasgow on Wednesday. In all likelihood, we will start training on Thursday at the latest, but there will certainly be the opportunity to drop by at other competitions in between.
Who are your strongest competitors?
GS: My mind. I already know that the next competitor is 20 points ahead of me. I cannot compare myself to any other athlete who has been training from a really young age. My body is not as fast nor flexible, so my strongest competitor is myself and I must overcome the thoughts that I am never going to be like the others.
PS: It's hard to say at the moment, as no nation has yet decided who will be at the start in Glasgow. If you look at the current state of qualifying, then both Switzerland and the Czech Republic would have teams at the start that have never played at a UCI World Championships or have not played in this line-up. The Belgians ended their careers last year. With the new teams, everything could also move a little closer together again. Basically, I see the chances at a UCI World Championships for all teams about the same.