Varese back on track

The Varese 2008 UCI Road Cycling World Championships are back on track, with an agreement written by the Commissioner of Government Guido Bertolaso being signed by the involved parties to use the Le Bettole race course to host the event. The facility's use had been a key factor in the Italian city's successful bid to host the 2008 world championships, and the news last month that renovation work at Le Bettole would make it unavailable provided a major obstacle for event organizers.

The Mayor of Varese Attilio Fontana, the Managing director of Società Varesina Incremento Corse Cavalli Antonino Giacobbe, and the president of Varese 2008 Amedeo Colombo all met yesterday to ink their signatures on the agreement to use Le Bettole. The venue will house the press room, competitor's village and other UCI delegations in addition to hosting the start and finish of each race.

The UCI delegation is expected to announce a date over the coming days as to when it will come to inspect the venue. The original visit by the world governing body had been scheduled for last month, but was postponed after the availability of Le Bettole came into question.