The European Broadcasting Union consortium of public-service broadcasters has agreed a rights deal with the Union Européenne de Cyclisme, the sport’s European governing body, to cover the European Cycling Championships from this year onwards.
The length of the agreement was not disclosed, but the EBU has been granted exclusive worldwide broadcast rights on all platforms to the Road, Track, Mountain Bike, BMX and Cyclo-Cross European Championships.
The EBU has already acquired rights to broadcast the inaugural European Championships multi-sport event in 2018, of which the Road, Track, Mountain Bike and BMX championships are a part. The 2018 editions of the four championships are therefore not included in the EBU’s agreement with the UEC, although the 2018 Cyclo-Cross European Championships, which are not part of the multi-sport event, are.
UEC president David Lappartient said: “This is an important step forward for the promotion of cycling throughout Europe.”
The 2016 Road European Championships will take place in Monaco and the French city of Nice from September 14-18. Traditionally open only to the youth categories, the 2016 Championships will now feature a time trial and a road race for elite professionals.
Vincenzo Nibali (left of picture), Philippe Gilbert, Fabio Aru and Alberto Contador are among those who have confirmed their participation.