Issue date: 20 Sep, 2005
On occasion of the World Cycling Championship that takes place this year in Madrid from 20-25 September, a stamp is issued to commemorate this event.
The World Cycling Championship took place for the first time in Nürburgring (Germany) in 1927, and has become one of the most important cycling competitions. Spain has a long history in cycling and has hosted this championship on various occasions. The first meeting took place in 1965 at the old car circuit of Lasarte (Guipúzcoa); in 1973 it was held in Montjuic (Gerona), in 1984 in Barcelona; in 1992 in Benidorm (Alicante) and finally in 1997 in San Sebastian. This year our country has once more become host to the event and for six days the streets of Madrid will be full of TV cameras, media and cycling enthusiasts from all over the world. The circuit for this world championship was approved by the UCI (International Cycling Union), who states that the road race shall take place in the Castellana axis, passing through the Dehesa de la Villa and Cardenal Herrera Oria Avenue where participants will complete a total of 276.9 km through 13 laps of 21.3 km each. The individual time trial races will be held in the Casa de Campo. Many are the Spanish cyclists who have worn the victor´s rainbow jersey and have stood on the winner’s podium. The first silver medal for Spanish cycling came in 1935 in the Belgian town of Florete, and was won by Luciano Montero. From then on, the successes have followed on several occasions and amongst the most recent medal winners are Oscar Freire, three times world champion; Miguel Indurain, with medals in all events; Abraham Olano, twice champion; Igor Astarloa and Alejandro Valverde, gold and silver medallists respectively. In women’s cycling, Spain´s Joane Somarriba won the first gold medal in the individual time race in Hamilton (Canada 2003). Two years earlier Dori Ruano won her first bronze medal in the same event in Lisbon. The stamp depicts the logo of the World Championship UCI-2005.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
Rate B - €1.65. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to Europe (including Greenland), up to 20 g.
Rate C - €1.75. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the rest of the world (except USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand), up to 20 g.
Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.