News: David Bell Memorial Race all go

Organisers have confirmed that the 48th edition of the David Bell Memorial Race will go ahead, and what the race lacks for quantity it more than makes up in quality.

The race had been in danger due to low entries but riders have responded to the rallying call and once again Girvan will play host to the famous race on August 18th.

No less than two UCI Continental teams will be represented with Ben Greenwood (Team IG SigmaSport) and Evan Oliphant (Team Raleigh) both looking for a top result. Already a two-time winner of the event, Oliphant returns in jubilant mood having just secured victory in the British Cycling Premier Calendar â€“ an outstanding result for the Edinburgh based rider. Meanwhile Greenwood has recently inked a deal with IG Sigmasport and will be looking to impress before the Tour of Britain.

Among the other riders on start sheet is current Scottish Road Champion Gary Hand (Herbalife Leisure Lakes) and local Ayr Roads man Gary Maher. Both will be looking for a good result in front of a friendly South Ayrshire crowd.

Race promoters, Ayr Roads Cycling Club, have been committed to developing young riders with the launch of the Ayr Burners Youth club and the first ever SCCL Youth Criterium. Therefore they are delighted to have no less than ten Under 23 riders contesting the gruelling 81 mile event. The first Espoir will be presented with the Savoy Park Hotel Shield.

The action kicks off in Girvan at 11am before speeding down to Lendalfoot and the first of six categorised climbs. These will decide the winner of the DigitalMyWay King of the Mountains trophy. It is expected that the eventual winner will make their move on one of the closing laps of the Byne Circuit, before racing up South Park Avenue to be presented with the Ayrshire Alps Trophy at approximately 2:30pm.

Meanwhile the Highwayman Challenge continues to attract entries with the new 200km version proving more popular than the 100km! Audax riders must complete their ride in a minimum time to be recorded, averaging at least 15km/h. No easy feat when faced with the hill roads of the Ayrshire Alps.

The 200km participants also have to navigate 16 miles of unsealed forest roads, further adding to the challenge. Both distances take place on the 17th August with riders setting off before 9am. Entry is still being taken online at the event website â€“ www.southcarrickdaviebell.org

Both the David Bell Memorial Race and Highwayman Challenge feature as part of the Ayrshire Alps Cycle Festival, supported by South Ayrshire Council and South Carrick Community Lesiure.