The European Cycling Union (Union Européenne de Cyclisme), in collaboration with the Debrecen Sports Center, is organizing the first round of the 2024 UEC Cyclo-Cross European Cup on October 19-20.
This weekend, the VeloPark will once again come alive as it hosts a prestigious international event, the so-called cyclo-cross race. Over one hundred cyclists from six nations will saddle up at the facility located on the outskirts of Debrecen.
At Tuesday’s press conference, Lajos Barcsa highlighted, “Cycling is very popular in our city, with more and more people taking up the sport. That’s why, three years ago, we created a facility that is unique in Central Eastern Europe. The closest similar facility is in the Benelux countries. This has elevated Debrecen’s sporting life to a higher level.”
Debrecen is a bike-friendly city, with a 112-kilometer network of bike paths, and more and more people are using bicycles for everyday commuting. In addition to recreational cycling, both classic and extreme cycling disciplines are popular, and the VeloPark is considered a special facility. “I believe that cyclo-cross will soon become an Olympic sport, and if we build up a strong pool of young talent in time, we could even cheer for a Debrecen competitor at the Olympic Games, achieving significant results on the international stage,” said András Becsky, Managing Director of Debrecen Sports Center Ltd.
The VeloPark was specifically designed to meet the technical requirements for hosting any level of cyclo-cross competitions and to present a serious challenge to athletes. A key consideration was ensuring that the events would be easy for spectators to follow, a requirement that the facility fully meets. “I encourage everyone to come out and watch the race live,” said Béla Kovács, Vice President of the Hungarian Cycling Federation.
