Glasgow is famed for its fierce football rivalry, but in the city where Rangers and Celtic have raged a battle for more than 100 years, another very special type of ball game is about to be showcased on the biggest stage in world cycling: cycle-ball.
They will compete for the cycle-ball rainbow jersey as part of the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships that will combine 13 separate UCI World Championships into one event in Glasgow and across Scotland from 3 to 13 August.
After the preliminary rounds on 11 and 12 August, the quarter- and semi-finals and finals will light up Glasgow’s Emirates Arena on Saturday 13th.
Fine battles are expected, particularly between Austria and Germany.
Former UCI World Champions in reserve
Two-time UCI World Champions and last year’s silver medallists Gerhard and Bernd Mlady (Stein) were recently crowned German National Champions again. But for the first time since 2016, the two will have to watch the UCI World Championships as a reserve team.
The cousins won the National final against the previous UCI Worlds reserves André Kopp and Raphael Kopp (Obernfeld), but a countback of points in the qualifying standings, saw the Kopps narrowly came out on top and secure their ticket for Glasgow. For many years, André, with his previous partner Manuel Kopp and then with Raphael, has only ever been a substitute at the UCI World Championships.
National Champions confirm their places
In Austria, the cycle-ball status quo has been maintained with the UCI World Champions Patrick Schnetzer and his partner Stefan Feurstein (Dornbirn) set to represent their country at the UCI 2023 Cycling World Championships.
It will be Schnetzer’s 13th UCI Worlds. Since 2010 he has participated without interruption, winning eight gold, two silver and two bronze medals, with three different partners. After the legendary Pospisil brothers, who lead the all-time rankings with 20 victories between 1965 and 1988, Schnetzer is the second most successful cycle-ball player of all time.
In the Czech Republic, the experienced Jiří Hrdlička also qualified for the UCI Worlds as National Champion. The 49-year-old is set to partner with Jan Kripner for SC Svitavka, unless the Czech Republic surprises with a different nomination.
Among newcomers to the UCI World Championships will be the new National Champions of Switzerland (Timon and Yannick Fröhlich - Altdorf) and Belgium (Robby Gubbelmans/ Kenny Michalik - Genk).
For the first time, a rainbow jersey will also be awarded for women’s cycle-ball, with the final for gold and silver taking place on Sunday 13 August.