MORE than 65 million broadcast viewers from across the globe watched the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

The figures were presented to the Convention of the South of Scotland on Monday at Dumfries & Galloway College.

The biggest and most important cycling event in history also provided a direct economic impact worth £8 million to the region, according to the report.

Councillor Scott Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for community and business development, said: “This past year has seen significant progress across the region as we work together towards the ambitious goals of the South of Scotland Cycling Strategy.

“We must continue to build on the momentum that has been built up and continue to invest and deliver the key projects which will help us fully harness the power of the bike for the good of our residents, businesses and communities.”

The championships also brought more than 1,000 elite cyclists to compete in the south last August; with 470 volunteers assisting the para-cycling road events in Dumfries & Galloway and mountain bike cross-country and mountain bike cross-country marathon events at Glentress Forest.

Professor Russel Griggs, chairman of the South of Scotland Enterprise, said: “The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships was a hugely positive experience for the South and continues to be so, and these economic impact figures emphasise why partners worked so hard to bring it to our region.

“We have much more to do now and in future if we are to embed cycling into the daily fabric of the lives of local residents and experiences of our visitors, but we are determined to work with businesses and communities to achieve this collective aim."