More than 8,000 cyclists from 120 countries arrived in Scotland to take part in the UCI World Championships – the biggest festival of cycling ever staged.
Events were held in locations throughout the country and high on the list was Glentress Forest and Tweed Valley, near Peebles.
Glentress is one of the famous 7stanes mountain bike trail centres with award-winning trails that attract riders from the UK and beyond.
Councillor Scott Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Community and Business Development, said: “The Scottish Borders was proud to be a regional host of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
“We hope the event will deliver long term benefits to the Scottish Borders and support the South of Scotland – the home of the bike – to become the country’s leading cycling destination.”
And another important Borders connection teamed up with UCI organisers to create a championship tartan.
The tartan, inspired by the rainbow stripes of the UCI jersey and the blue of the Scottish Saltire flag – was been designed and woven by world famous Selkirk based weavers, Lochcarron of Scotland, a founding member of The Scottish Tartans Authority.
Scottish mountain bike stars Charlie Aldridge and local cycling star Isla Short from Peebles, who took part in the Mountain Bike Cross-Country Olympic events, gave their approval at the launch of the new tartan at Traquair House.
“I am delighted that one of our local businesses created the official tartan for the world’s biggest ever cycling event, and one of the stand out global sporting events of 2023,” added Cllr Hamilton.
Glentress hosted the Mountain Bike Cross-Country and Mountain Bike Cross-Country Marathon as part of the UCI programme.