Press release
Cabras, November 29, 2024
THE BEST OF INTERNATIONAL CYCLOCROSS COMES TO SARDINIA:
DECEMBER 8 WORLD CUP STOPS IN CABRAS
The UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup 2024-2025 lands on the renowned Is Arutas beach. The event, organized by the Municipality of Cabras and the Crazy Wheels Cycling Academy sports club, will give the world's best cyclo-cross riders a chance to compete on the shores of the island's west coast
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Sardinia is preparing to host one of the world's most prestigious cycling events: the Italian stage of the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup 2024-2025. The appointment is set for Sunday, December 8 on the beach of Is Arutas, in the territory of Cabras, a unique natural setting that will be the setting for an elite competition. This event represents a historic occasion for the island, which is hosting a World Cup stage for the first time, thanks to the collaboration between the Municipality of Cabras and the sports society Crazy Wheels Cycling Academy.
An event of international significance. The 2024-2025 calendar of the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup, promoted by Flanders Classics under the auspices of theInternational Cycling Union (UCI), includes 12 stages in seven different countries, and the Cabras stage will be the third of the season, immediately after Dublin and before the historic Namur race. Tomas Van Den Spiegel, CEO of Flanders Classics, said, "Every winter, the Cyclocross World Cup heads to a new destination, and we are especially pleased that this year it is Cabras, Sardinia. This route is unique compared to all the other stages because it is designed by the sea. We are looking forward to coming to Is Arutas on December 8, exactly one week after the second stage in Dublin and just before the busy Christmas season".
The competition will feature the world's best athletes at the start in the categories Elite Women (scheduled departure at 1:40 p.m.) and Elite Men (departure scheduled for 3:10 p.m.) with the spotlight on prominent cyclists such as the Dutch Fem Van Empel, Lucinda Brand e Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado in the women's sector, while among the men, eyes are on the Belgian Eli Iserbyt, Laurens Sweeck e Michael Vanthourenhout. Italy will be represented by promising athletes such as. Sara Casasola and the young world junior champion Stephen Viezzi.
The path: a unique challenge. The approximately 3-kilometer-long course will wind through sand, grass and knolls, with the finish line positioned on the final stretch of Provincial Road 6, characteristic for the presence of palm trees on both sides. The backdrop will be the turquoise of the western coast of the Mediterranean Sea. A challenge that will test the technical skills and endurance of the athletes, and will make the event even more spectacular for the public in attendance and for spectators connected from all over the world.
A major impact on the territory. The event will not only be a sports showcase, but also an opportunity to promote tourism and enhance the area. More than 100 countries around the world will be connected to follow the competition live. In Italy, the event will be broadcast on the channels Eurosport by Discovery+ (also visible on DAZN e NOW) and on RaiSport. The live TV and streaming service of the world competition will allow the Island and its partner companies to be known to more than 30 million users estimated to be reached on TV and digital channels.
The event aims to promote not only sports, but also sustainable tourism and land development. The project aims to encourage the spread of the values of sports among younger people and strengthen the link between the local community and cycling.
Andrea Abis, Mayor of the Municipality of Cabras, proudly welcomes the territorial stage of the Cyclocross World Cup: "Hosting a major international Sports event is for us another important goal that goes in the direction taken by the policies of territorial enhancement and promotion, this time with a special emphasis on cycling and the importance of the development of bike paths in Sinis".
Franco Cuccureddu, Regional Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts and Trade: "The Department of Tourism supports, with significant financial resources, events capable of attracting tourist flows even during the low season. Major sporting events such as the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup 2024-2025, along with the other important environmental, cultural and landscape elements,are part of the strategy aimed at making Sardinia perceived as active and attractive at all times of the year."
The president of the Mont'e Prama Foundation also strongly supports the event. Anthony Muroni: "Since its inception, the Mont'e Prama Foundation has always believed in sports as a vehicle to promote the archaeological beauty of Cabras and Sardinia. Thanks to our partnerships we have brought the excellence of Sinis to the most important Italian cultural places and to many European cities. I like to emphasize how, for this important world-class event, several entities worked together to support its realization. Joining forces represents, for us, the real winning weapon that can enable the growth of this territory, starting from its main attractions: nature, food and wine, cultural heritage".
Emanuele Cera, regional councilor, stressed the importance of the Cyclocross World Cup in Cabras as a key event for the promotion of the territory and local economic development. He reiterated his strong commitment to supporting sporting events of international importance that can enhance the island's natural and cultural heritage. "Investing in sports means investing in the future of our community" said Cera.
Luca Massa, President of Crazy Wheels, emphasizes the importance of the event for the whole of Sardinia: "For weeks, thanks to the tireless cooperation of the Cabras Municipality, we have been working to prepare the event in the best possible way. We are grateful to the Tourism Department of the Region of Sardinia for grasping the value of the initiative. Our goal is to show how Sardinia can be an ideal destination for cycling tourism, even in the low season. The climate of our area is an added value that few areas in Europe can boast of".
Stefano Dessì, President of the regional committee of Sardinia of the Italian Cycling Federation: "The Cyclocross World Cup round that will kick off in Cabras on December 8 represents an event of extraordinary importance for the island and for the entire sports movement. To have succeeded in organizing an international event of such magnitude is significant of the value of Crazy Wheels A.S.D chaired by Luca Massa and his entire organizational staff. The spotlight of the world media will be turned on to broadcast the spectacular challenge between the best athletes at the top of world cycling and help bring prestige, through images, to the scenic beauty of this part of the Island".
The event is not only a competitive sporting moment, but an event capable of promoting on a tourist level the Sardinian territory in its landscape, cultural and food and wine aspects.
Also Filippo Pozzato, CEO of PP Sport Events, expressed enthusiasm for the Sardinian stage: "We are happy to collaborate again with Flanders Classics. This time we have moved to an area of Italy that is new to us, but extraordinarily beautiful. Seeing the greats of cyclocross racing on the fine sand of Is Arutas will be a unique spectacle. We hope the magic of this event will attract many fans to Sardinia to experience an unforgettable weekend".
The Cyclocross World Cup stage in Cabras is much more than a race: it is an event that aims to enhance the territory, promote the cycling discipline, stimulate tourism and sustainability, and strengthen Sardinia's identity. With the support of theDepartment of Tourism of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, of the Mont'e Prama Foundation and of theMarine Protected Area Peninsula of Sinis, the event is part of a broad cultural and environmental promotion project.
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> More information e tickets (admission price 15 euros, free admission for those born since 2014) on the website ucicyclocrossworldcup-sardinia.com
> Reportage photo e video complete with the press conference: https://we.tl/t-ccRKnZ52E2
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Press Office
Davide Corriga: +393493604398, corriga@primaidea.com
Valentina Atzeni: +393471826279, staff.sindaco.cabras@gmail.com
Carlo Malvestio: +393771542556, press@ppsportevents.com
