News: Abergavenny Festival of Cycling

The 2020 Abergavenny Festival of Cycling, due to take place in June, has been cancelled for the first time in its’ history as organisers look to re-arrange dates for sportif, the Wales Open Criterium and Junior Grand Prix .

News: Abergavenny Festival of Cycling

THIS year’s Abergavenny Festival of Cycling, due to take place in June, has been cancelled for the first time in its’ history.

However, organisers are looking to re-arrange dates for the three events that make up the Festival – the Iron Mountain Sportif, the Wales Open Criterium and the Monmouthshire Junior Grand Prix – at dates later in the year.

The Festival’s cancellation is in line with the restrictions on mass gatherings during the Covid-19 virus outbreak and it also falls during the suspension zone on events until June 30 imposed by the sport’s governing body British Cycling.

A statement on the Festival website said: “The three main events of the festival The Iron Mountain and Monmouthshire Sportives, The Monmouthshire Junior GP and the Wales Open Criterium we will try and run at a later date this year, at available dates in agreement with British Cycling.

“If the new date is not convenient or cancellation of the event happens then a refund of entries will be possible. Keep in touch over these troubled times.”

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Festival organiser Bill Owen MBE added: “It is only the actual Festival which has been cancelled this year so we are looking to stage the three components that make it up as individual events in their own right when we can get dates confirmed.

“Obviously, people will be disappointed that our popular Festival has had to be cancelled at this time of the year but these are very serious and unparalleled times for everyone that go above and beyond sport.

“We fully appreciate that everyone must stay at home until restrictions are lifted and then, hopefully we can re-start the events when we can.”

In their statement, British Cycling said: “Given the ongoing uncertainty around the Coronavirus/COVID19 outbreak, and the developing Government advice and guidance, British Cycling has taken the decision to extend its current suspension on sanctioned cycling activities to 30 June.

“Our recommendation to our clubs remains that no organised activity (including rides, training, coaching, events) should take place during this period, in line with government advice on social gatherings and non-essential travel.”

For more information about the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling, go to www.abergavennyfestivalofcycling.co.uk