Thousands of cyclists are set to hit local roads as the Tour of Cambridgeshire brings riders from all over the UK and Europe to this world class event launching in Peterborough this weekend.
The Tour of Cambridgeshire Gran Fondo and Chrono cycle events on June 6 & 7 have proved very popular with thousands of cyclists signing up to take part so it’s set to be a spectacular event to both watch and join in with. 3,000 cyclists from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and surrounding counties will be joining 3,000 other riders from all over the UK and Europe for this huge cycling event which sets off from Peterborough Arena.
Due to the success of the Tour de France in the county last year, the county were keen to bring another world class cycling event to the region. The Enervit Tour of Cambridgeshire certainly does that as it’s a qualifying event for the 2015 UCI World Amateur Championships in Denmark in September this year with many international visitors taking part.
Belgian cycling legend and world cycling governing body (UCI) representative Erwin Vervecken made the trip to Peterborough recently to check out the course. “I’m really excited about the Tour of Cambridgeshire. The 126km mass participation Gran Fondo event on Sunday 7th June will see thousands of cyclists take to the closed roads in the area promising a spectacular event, great for cycling in the region and the UK.”
The organisers have been liaising with Cambridgeshire County Council, Huntingdon and Fenland District Councils and Police forces to close various roads to vehicles for competitors for several hours. Full details of road closures are on the event website and times for affected areas are published here http://www.tourofcambridgeshire.com/Road_Closures.php
The bulk of the riders taking part are from the UK (mainly from local counties) and Ireland but there are many entries from mainland Europe and even ones from Hong Kong, USA and Russia. The oldest entrant so far is 80 years old while the youngest is 16. The largest amount of entrants from one organisation is Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice with Cambridge CC not far behind. Female riders are well represented with 12% of the field with the majority of women riders taking part in the non competitive side of the event.
The Chrono Time trial event on Saturday June 6 is one of the biggest in the world and will see riders tackle a 27km course out and back from the Peterborough Arena Showground at Alwalton. Over 700 riders will be set off individually throughout the day to see who can cover the course the quickest. Then the Gran Fondo on Sunday June 7 will see over 5,000 cyclists take to a 128km route around the quiet roads of the county again starting and finishing at the Arena.
Both events are UCI Amateur World Cycling Championship qualifying events so will see a good standard of competition but there will also be many leisure cyclists taking to the closed roads to raise money for many charities including the event’s official charity partner, Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. Local cycle retailer Rutland Cycling will also be on hand to help riders before, during and after the event.
Tom Caldwell from organisers Vericool Sports Management takes up the story on happenings so far; “The response to the UK’s first ever closed road UWCT gran fondo and time trial event has been tremendous and with 6,000 entrants it really will be a world class event. We’d like to thank those affected by the road closures for their understanding with this and we will do our upmost to keep disruption to a minimum. Many on the route have already told us they are planning on coming out to enjoy the event passing by and cheer on the riders.”
The event is based at the spacious Peterborough Arena with ample free parking for all entrants on site an expo area, catering facilities and commentators will help keep all entertained on site over the weekend. There will be a large volume of traffic entering the Arena on the Sunday morning so best to avoid the area unless necessary.
If you are taking part please register in the days before (registration opens Friday 12:00 – 20:00, Saturday 08:00 – 20:00) and still get there early on Sunday and allow time to park and get ready before the off. Vehicular access for competitors will be closed from 10am on Sunday June 7.
For more details please visit www.tourofcambridgeshire.com
Comentários