BMX freestyle park competition will feature at the Championships ©Getty Images

Chengdu in China has been announced as the host of the inaugural Urban Cycling World Championships, which will take place from November 8 to 12.

The Championships will feature mountain bike eliminator, trials and BMX freestyle park competitions.

“It is the UCI’s mission to invest in and develop cycling disciplines that complement our traditional disciplines and help shape the future of our sport,” said Brian Cookson, UCI President.

“Trials, BMX freestyle park and mountain bike eliminator are three spectacular and already popular disciplines that adapt perfectly to urban settings and provide a thrilling show for spectators.

“The UCI Urban Cycling World Championships will provide them with an ideal showcase to help them grow even further and reach a still wider audience.”

The Championships come as male and female BMX freestyle park events are understood to have been submitted by the UCI as a potential new event for Tokyo 2020.

insidethegames understands men's and women's madison competitions have been proposed to be added to the track programme.

BMX freestyle park is practiced in skateparks, where freestylers are judged on tricks and their respective difficulties, but also on originality and style.

Skateboarding is due to make its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, with its venue potentially being used for BMX freestyle park events should it be added.

The Urban Cycling World Championships will begin with trials competition, which will run over five days.

Mountain bike eliminator competition will feature on the final day of the event ©Getty Images
Mountain bike eliminator competition will feature on the final day of the event ©Getty Images

Trials riders tackle obstacles grouped into sections, with the aim of not setting foot or having any part of the bike, other than the wheels, touch the ground.

BMX freestyle park will be held on the final three days of the Championships, while mountain bike eliminator competition will bring the event to a close on November 12.

Mountain bike eliminator races feature short and technical courses in heats of four riders at a time.

The UCI claim the Championships signify notable progress for the disciplines’ calendar and exposure.

They believe the event will help athletes, stating the Championships will be supported by a significant effort in terms of prize money.

The event in Chengdu comes five months after the UCI signed a "groundbreaking" agreement with Wanda Sports to promote cycling in China.