Research Park to host 2023 UCI Para-Cycling World Cup

Yesterday morning, Mayor Tommy Battle helped announce the 2023 UCI Para-Cycling World Cup’s location. And what do you know—it’s Huntsville!

Cummings Research Park will host this exciting international para-cycling event next Memorial Day Weekend. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about it.

The first time on US soil

You may have heard that Huntsville has hosted para-cycling events in the last couple of years. This year, though, it’s bigger than ever.

“We’re thrilled to be coming back for the third year to Huntsville, but an an international level.”

Ian Lawless, Director of U.S. Paralympics Cycling

Ian Lawless, Director of U.S. Paralympics Cycling, explained that this event is part of the qualification process for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

Needless to say, it’s an important event for these elite athletes—and now an important event to the Rocket City.

US Paracycling is working in partnership with Cummings Research Park, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, the Huntsville Sports Commission, the Huntsville Convention and Visitors’ Bureau and the City of Huntsville to put on the cup.

“We haven’t really ever found a partner as awesome as Huntsville.”

Ian Lawless

It’s going to be big

This world cup won’t just be a handful of athletes. There will be over 300 paracycling athletes from approximately 40 countries from around the world will be coming to Research Park to compete.

Not only that, but it will have a huge economic impact on our area. Mayor Tommy Battle said that the event is expected to have a $1.5 million dollar economic impact on the community.

But that’s not the most important part.

“But, more importantly, it will give us an opportunity to celebrate the phenomenal human spirit, pushed to the limit over four days in the Rocket City.”

Mayor Tommy Battle

Excited for this historic event? Here’s how you can participate.

How you can be a part

The 2023 UCI Para-Cycling World Cup will be here soon, and they need your help. You can sign up to volunteer here.

But, if you can’t volunteer, you can still come out and rally around the athletes. Here’s where it will be.

• Location: Cummings Research Park, Huntsville, AL
• Dates: May 26-29, 2023
• Website

Erin Koshut, Executive Director of Cummings Research Park, encouraged the local community to stay in town this upcoming Memorial Day Weekend to support this international event. There will be activities to accompany the races for the community to participate in.

Are you excited for the 2023 UCI Para-Cycling World Cup? Let us know by tagging us on social media @hvilleblast or by using our hashtag #hvilleblast.