Photo by Blacknell

Though the Giro d’Italia never materialized in the District, Richmond is hoping to land the World Cup of cycling — the 2015 World Cycling Championship.

In late August, promoters in Richmond submitted their formal bid to the Union Cycliste Internationale, pro cycling’s governing body, for the races, which pit top cyclists against each other in a nine-day event for both personal and national glory. The marquee events — the men and women’s road races — feature teams of riders representing their respective countries instead of the teams that they usually race for.

Richmond officials estimate that the event, which would cost just over $12 million to put on, could bring 450,000 people from over 70 countries to the city and pump $135.3 million into the local economy. The winning location for the 2015 championship will be announced on September 21 in Copenhagen, where the events are taking place this year. The only other competitor thus far is middle eastern nation Oman, which, despite its forbidding weather and terrain, still hosts a popular annual pro event, the Tour of Oman.

In related news, the District will play host to the Capital Criterium again this year. Set for October 2, the downtown race — now in its third year — will feature a number of races, capped off by the Men’s Pro Invitational, the last race in the annual USA Crits series.

UPDATE, 5 p.m.: We’ve just learned that the Capital Criterium has been canceled.