Danish Crown Prince and Sir Chris Hoy gets royal battle on its way

Copenhagen is UCI Bike City 2008 - 2011

Copenhagen has been designated the first Bike City of the world by the International Cycling Federation, UCI, and Crown Prince Frederik is its protector. The Chairman of UCI, Pat McQuaid, will visit Ballerup Super Arena during the World Cup. This years World Cup Track Cycling Final is the second in a row – the international track cycling elite was also in Copenhagen for the World Cup Finals in February 2008.

“It’s a good tradition that we witness here at Ballerup Arena for the World Cup Track Cycling Final. It is rather good that we have been visible at the Olympics in Beijing – the sport has not been as high profiled as we would have liked – it is always the Olympics the athletes aim at,” says His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Frederik after opening the event.

When asked for his opinion on Denmark as an international sport event nation, the Crown Prince stated: “I see it as a goal to attract international events in different sports to the country and I think it is a good idea inviting the world of sport. Sport is a universal language.”

“It’s a great concept and I think Denmark can be very proud to be the first Bike City in the world. From history Denmark is a cycling country. A lot of people are riding their bikes and they’re getting more and more encouraged to ride their bikes, says National Track Manager for British Cycling, Heiko Salzwedel.

Sir Chris Hoy happy to be back

Chris Hoy is back in the competitive game just a month before the World Championships in Poland in March. And the comeback has had a happy start: On Friday night he was part of the British Team Sky’s Men’s Team Sprint, who won the gold in front of the French Cofidis team.

“This is my first big head out since the Olympic games, so I needed this to see where I am, to see how my performance is. It’s very good to be back out there. I miss the atmosphere and miss the nervousness and the whole preparation that goes with the championships, but at the same time it’s very hard physically. Training can get you so far, but competition is another level again. I’m glad I’ve got these championships to use as a benchmark before the world championships in Poland next month,” says Chris Hoy.

“It’s a huge privilege, a huge honor for me to be knighted and its something, I’ve never ever expected. I think it’s great for me and it’s great for the sport too to have that interest. I think I’m only the second ever cyclist to be knighted, so it was a massive surprise and one that myself and my family have been really, really delighted with,” says Chris Hoy, who was knighted after winning 3 gold medals at the Beijing Olympics.

Track cycling has done the right move

In general, it seems that track cycling is on a rise, gaining popularity all over.

“Track cycling is really coming up. This new concept of moving the world cup into the winter season is really paying off now. I remember for instance at the Beijing Olympics, I saw Princess Anne alongside the Danish Crown Prince Frederik sitting in the VIP seats along with Tony Blair and Bernie Ecclestone. You never saw such names before in track cycling,” says National Track Manager for British Cycling, Heiko Salzwedel.

The Danish Year of Sport 2009

In 2009 more than 50 major international sports events are taking place all over Denmark, including the IOC Olympic Session and the Olympic Congress. The World Taekwondo Championships, the UEFA Congress, the World Wrestling Championships and the LEN Congress are also among the many events taking place in Denmark.

Due to the many events the Danish Government has appointed the year 2009 as the Danish Year of Sport. The Year of Sport is part of a national effort to realise a vision of the Danish Government: to place Denmark firmly as one of Europe’s leading hosts of major international sports events and congresses.

View the entire event calendar for 2009 on sporteventdenmark.com

For results and facts please view the official UCI Track Cycking website here: http://cyclingworld.dk/trackworldcupcopenhagen/

For further information on the Danish Year of Sport 2009 please contact:

Project manager for the Danish Year of Sport 2009, Christian Ankerstjerne, tel. no. +45 3051 0096 or ca@sporteventdenmark.com

Communication & Event Manager, Eline Andersen, tel. no. +45 5122 5385 or ea@sporteventdenmark.com