News: International Riders competing at Blenheim Palace

Team GB and Australia Paralympians are to compete at Bike Blenheim Palace 18th – 19th August

After the amazing performance of Team GB in the cycle events at London 2012 it’s time to celebrate cycling in Great Britain! There is just one week to go before Blenheim Palace opens its World Heritage Site Park for a 5th time for Bike Blenheim Palace, the UK’s most unique and exciting ‘Festival of Cycling’ taking place on 18th – 19th August.

Nine cyclists from the GB Para Cycling team, who are taking part in the London 2012 Paralympics, have registered to take part in the 20km Time Trial at Bike Blenheim Palace as a warm up. On Saturday 18th August Team GB will go up against the Australian Para Cycle team who have confirmed 6 cyclists, promising a thrilling spectacle for the event at Bike Blenheim Palace.

GB Paralympic and World Champion Sarah Storey won fastest female at Bike Blenheim Palace in 2011 in 28.29minutes. This year Storey will be joined by: David Stone, Jon Allan Butterworth, Lora Turnham, Mark Colbourne, Shaun McKeown, Rachel Morris, Karen Darke and Crystal Lane. The Australian team will include Jayme Paris, Simone Kennedy, Alexandra Green, Susan Powell, David Nicholas, and Michael Gallagher.

UK Time Trial Champion Michael Hutchinson and three-time winner at Bike Blenheim Palace will return to defend his title in 2012, along with Bronwen Ewing, current Ladies 24hr Time Trial Champion, and European Junior Time Trial Champion Joe Perrett.

Hutchinson is also signed up to defend his 2011 Male Champion title in the Brompton World Championship on Sunday 19th August, the spectacular 6.5km race that sees competitors dressed in obligatory jacket and ties. Rachael Elliot will be aiming for a BWC hat trick having won the 2011 and 2010 competitions. Anna Glowinski, presenter of ITV4’s Cycle Show, Mule Bar Girl rider and one of the few female riders competing in downhill competitions in the UK, will also be a contender for the female title. The likes of David Rees of Dulwich Paragon (and former London Nocturne Champion) and 2009 winner Sarah Wookey will no doubt also be in the running.

With just one week to go to Bike Blenheim Palace the Time Trial is now sold out but it’s not to late to register for the 40km Off Road Sportive, the 60/100mile Road Sportive, the Brompton Marathon and Pink Ribbonride, or just come along on the day to enjoy the highlights of the festival including family activities the amazing Animal Bike Tour in the Event arena.

Sarah Storey commented after the 2011 event: “Bike Blenheim Palace is a superb day out for the whole family and there really is something for everyone at the event. I loved riding the Time Trial event and having closed roads and such a big field made for exciting competition. It’s the perfect place to start racing and for the seasoned racers a real privilege to have a traffic free course!”

Bike Blenheim Palace takes place on 18th – 19th August, the event has something for everyone to enjoy from the competitive cycling fanatic to families looking for somewhere safe to ride their bikes in beautiful surroundings:

Saturday 18th August:
• A new 40km off-road Sportive through Blenheim Park and the surrounding byways.
• A tough 20km Time Trial all on the closed roads of Blenheim Park
• Family rides in a beautiful and safe car free environment
• Bike Polo Tournament
• Cycle skills for children
• Great range of exhibitors from the cycle and cycle friendly industries

Sunday 19th August:
• A 60 and 100 mile Sportive through the Cotswold’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• The staging of the Brompton World Championship 2012
• The new Brompton Marathon and Sprint races
• Breast Cancer Care’s 26.2 mile Pink Ribbonride
• Family rides in a beautiful and safe car free environment
• Cycle skills for children
• Great range of exhibitors from the cycle and cycle friendly industries

2012 will see a significantly bigger Event Village with many of the world’s best cycling brands and products available to view and try out, as well as a cycling café and the Kiddimoto Champs for the under 5s. Exhibitors include Scott, Mavic, Schwalbe, Enigma Titanium, Rotor, Adidas, Magura, Cinelli, Campagnolo, Juice Lubes and many more.

Breast Cancer Care is the official charity for Bike Blenheim Palace in 2012 providing the opportunity to raise money for an amazing cause while getting fit. Get on your bike for Breast Cancer Care and support the 50,000 people diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK.

For more information and to register visit www.bikeblenheimpalace.com