The UCI has decided to host the 2020 Road World Championships (open in new tab) in the Italian city of Imola, located in central Emilia Romagna, the weekend after the Tour de France (open in new tab).

The four-day World Championships will only include elite men's and women's time trials and road races from Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27. The Junior and Under-23 World Championships will not take place in 2020.

Italy will host the World Road Championships for the 12th time in seven years, the first time since Florence, Italy hosted the World Championships on September 2, 1968 in Imola, where local rider Vittorio Adorni attacked early on with Rick Van Rooij and rode alone for the last 90 km to win by over 9 minutes. He won by more than 9 minutes.

Imola, located 40 km south of Bologna, was chosen ahead of the strong French draw from the Haute-Saône department, which includes the finish of La Planche des Belle Filles, the final time trial of the Tour de France. The World Championships were to be held near the UCI headquarters in Aigle Martigny, Switzerland, but local organizers pulled out in mid-August after Swiss COVID-19 regulations made it impossible to host the event.

Italy currently has far fewer COVID-19 cases than France and can therefore respect UCI medical protocols and is less likely to be affected by the risk of a second wave of cases or local blockade measures.

All races will finish at the Enzo e Dino Ferrari Motor Racing Circuit on the edge of Imola. The motor racing infrastructure is in place, reducing the time and cost required to organize a large race. The finish line building can safely house the race headquarters, the pit lane boxes and paddock area are ideal for reducing the social distance between national teams, and a limited number of spectators are even allowed to watch the race from the grandstands.

Importantly for the UCI, Imola and the Emilia-Romagna region pay a hefty fee, estimated at 3 or 4 million euros, to host the World Championship. This is vital revenue for the UCI's finances after 70% of other races have been cancelled and the Tokyo Olympics postponed until 2021.

UCI President David Lapartient wanted a test course in a new location to replicate the expected climbing in Switzerland. Adorni won on a course that included a circuit in Tre Monti, but more climbing was expected to be added by riding deep into the Apennines near Riolo Terme.

The UCI has confirmed that the men's 259.2 km race will include more than 5000 m of climbing and nine laps of a 28.8 km circuit. The women's race is 144km and climbs 2750m during five laps. The time trial will take place on a flat course and all races will finish on the circuit.

"It is of great symbolic value to the UCI that this year's UCI Road World Championships will be held in Italy. To have our major annual event in a country that suffered so much from the Covid 19 pandemic but was able to confront it effectively and courageously is, in its own way, a sign of a return to normalcy in an area where health conditions are currently under control," Lapartiento said. [We are confident that the 2020 UCI Road World Championships in Imola will witness a great sporting celebration, despite the difficult current situation, and we look forward to seeing you all at this event in Italy, a true cycling destination on one of the most challenging circuits in the history of the UCI Road World Championships. I encourage everyone to follow this event. We are looking forward to some spectacular racing."

Cycling News will provide complete coverage of all races at the Imola World Championships.