News: Championship Sportive is launched

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BRITISH star Mark Cavendish is expected to defend his British Cycling National Road Championships title on the roads of Monmouthshire next year just a week prior to the start of the 2014 Tour de France.

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BRITISH star Mark Cavendish is expected to defend his British Cycling National Road Championships title on the roads of Monmouthshire next year just a week prior to the start of the 2014 Tour de France.

But a day before Cavendish and company take centre stage, thousands of friends, families and club riders from across the world will take part in a brand new mass participation ride being premi̬red before the big race Рthe Championship Sportive.

The challenging rides over the gold, silver and bronze routes of the Sportive will be over part of the course which will be facing Cavendish, arguably the world’s leading race sprinter, plus the last two men to win the Tour de France, British heroes Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome.

It is the beginning of a legacy for Monmouthshire over the coming years that will put cycling at the forefront of their agenda as far as riding for fun, to work or in competition is concerned.

That legacy includes the fantastic new outdoor track facility planned for Gilwern which is likely to become a real mecca for riders across the UK as well as local schools and clubs to enjoy the riding experience.

Ian Saunders, Monmouthshire County Council’s Head of Leisure, said: “The Championship Sportive is a unique chance for any cyclist of whatever ability to ride the route taken by our heroes of the Tour de France just one day before they take to the course themselves for the coverted National Jersey.

“The Championship Sportive also shows the Council’s commitment to supporting great enterprise initiatives such as this that we know will bring major economic development benefits to the county.

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“I cannot think of a greater thrill than to preview the route yourself, find out how tough it is and then get out on the course the next day to watch stars like Sir Bradley, Mark Cavendish, Chris Froome and, not forgetting the near two hundred other riders in the elite men’s race, go for glory.

“And the added significance of our amazing National Championships next year is that it will be decided just a week before the Tour de France begins in Yorkshire – and if our British champion is riding in the greatest road race of them all, he will be wearing the Championships Jersey to Paris!”

All three stars rode the National Championships course in 2009 when ten thousand people lined the streets of Monmouthshire to cheer the 200 riders all the way around the course.

The Championship Sportive will take riders past some spectacular parts of Monmouthshire, from the castles of Abergavenny, Raglan and Chepstow to Tintern and their world-famous Abbey, the historic areas of Monmouth and the spectacular countryside that has turned the county into a cycling haven.

Monmouthshire is fast becoming a capital of cycling for Wales, and Saunders added: “The Championship Sportive and our commitment to the Gilwern development gives us a fantastic base to deliver our legacy for the future years.

“This is also part of our commitment to build a healthier Wales and we are excited and proud to have brought this great weekend of cycling, along with many other great rides, competitions and events that form the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling, alive so that everyone can ride the Road of Champions in 2014.”

To enter the Championship Sportive, go to www.abergavennyfestivalofcycling.co.uk and click the ‘Enter’ button.

 

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