Swedish national championships cancelled after locals complained

The Swedish national road race championships were cancelled on Thursday, just two days before the event. According to a report in SVT.se, the Swedish Transport Agency announced that revoked race permit for the road events. The time trials had already begun, but as far as the circuit race, that was kiboshed.

“It’s a huge scandal that a decision like this comes when the Swedish championships have already begun,” Uppsala Cycling Club’s chairman Göran Mattsson said to SVT.se.

It came as a huge shock to Mattsson. “We have put in an incredible amount of work and money,” he said.
Plus all the people from all over Sweden who have come here to Uppsala.”

A local in the area, Tobias Lindblom, said that between some construction and road closures, residents feel trapped in the town.

According to Lindblom, in previous races, the organizer did not give locals sufficient information about the competitions. He also said that he had seen team cars driving 100 km/h on the race course, even though the speed limit is 30. Which, according to him, has led to people feeling worried about children who are out playing.

The organizers managed to find a last minute replacement, though it’s hardly worthy of a national championship. The race is being held at Tierp Arena, which is a car race track. The riders will go for gold on a flat, seemingly out-and-back course on a track which is usually meant for drag races.