New ‘Tour Ride’ Sportive to close season at 2012 Cycle Show

Organisers of the 2012 Cycle Show have unveiled details of a brand new sportive to celebrate the Tour of Britain 2012 featuring two distances, a 96km challenge and a 150km pro ride on Sunday 30 September.

The sportive is the last event of the 2012 Tour Ride series, and will start and finish at The NEC as part of the Cycle Show in Birmingham (28-30 September). It offers the opportunity to ride alongside some of the UK’s top road cycling teams, with Team Raleigh – GAC, Rapha Condor and Team UK Youth having already confirmed their participation.

Mick Bennett, Race Director at The Tour of Britain and Creative Director of The Cycle Show commented on the partnership: “Last year’s move to Birmingham enabled the show to grow both inside and out. Adding The Tour Ride Sportive ensures that we can build our reputation as Britain’s biggest and best cycle show.

Participants in The Tour Ride Cycle Show Sportive on Sunday 30 September will have access to half price admission and car parking for the show, allowing them to end the 2012 summer of cycling in style.

Bennett, who grew up training in and around the roads local to the NEC as a member of Solihull Cycling Club, added: “It’s a challenging sportive ride through the Warwickshire countryside, passing some of the West Midlands’ finest beauty spots, including the Cotswolds, Kenilworth Castle, Warwick Castle and the River Avon.

“The sportive will give participants the chance to ride alongside many of the UK’s pro riders, who will be enjoying a relaxed end of season ride. There will be time to see the must-have bikes and cycling gear for 2013 as they return from the ride.”

The Cycle Show 2012 will also see the addition of a new Super Crit 1km circuit race around the NEC on the Saturday evening, offering a fantastic spectacle on Saturday 29 September. The 1km Dare2b Mountain Bike Test Track and the 600m Road Bike Demo Track will return this year.

The show will see plenty of heavyweight bike brands exhibiting, including Specialized who are building a Concept Store at the show, Trek, Pinarello, Colnago, Raleigh and Ribble.

This year’s show takes place between Friday 28 and Sunday 30 September at The NEC, Birmingham. Advance adult tickets are £13 for adults and £1 for kids under 14. For more information, or to book your tickets, go to www.cycleshow.co.uk.

Entries for The Tour Ride Cycle Show Sportive are open via www.tourride.co.uk. Entry costs £35 and includes the full Tour of Britain Pro experience, with mechanical support from Specialized and products from Maxifuel, Soreen and Highland Spring, plus a medal and goody bag. The combined ticket also gives you entry into the show for just £6.50.

www.tourride.co.uk