BMCR’s TOUR OF THE ABBERLEYS

A classic BMCR event, this flagship BMCR event, a 3 day stage race, began in 1998 and is as popular as ever for the over 40s

BMCR CLASSIC EVENTS: THE TOUR OF THE ABBERLEYS 3-DAY STAGE RACE (flagship BMCR event)

2018 winners

The race was started under the LVRC in 1998 by cyclist and well-known Midlands comedian Chris Singleton. The first edition of the race was called the Black Country Wheelers 3 Day, but for the second edition the name Tour of the Abberleys was adopted.

As it quickly became established as the longest, and one of the toughest, events on the LVRC calendar, Chris drew on additional support from LVRC Region 6, while Bush Healthcare and Fabricolour were early sponsors. In about 2002 sponsors, Real Cost Cars and Reliant Windows provided the huge trophies which are still presented to the winners in each race.

For a year or two when the Milk Race had finished and the BCF was in crisis, it was the longest stage race in the UK. Riders from the early days may remember a youngster by the name of Dan Martin wandering around the HQ and riding round the circuit while his dad raced. In 2002, a team from Holland entered and it briefly became an international race.

Ramin Minovi took over the organisation in 2004 with Colin Willets and Colin Dooley, then Stuart Hall in 2008, before the current organiser Mike Amery took it on in 2011.

In 2006, a Prologue time trial was added to make it a 4-stage race, and in 2015 a King of the Mountains competition. All the road stages use hilly circuits, with the final stage often incorporating some of the toughest local climbs. Since 2018 the road stages have been supported by motorbike marshals. It now attracts Masters riders from all over the country, with entries heavily over-subscribed.

There are 4 competitions: the over-40s race, the over-50s race, the over-60s race, and since 2024 the women’s race. It is normally run on the first bank holiday week-end in May.

PAST WOMEN WINNERS
2024 Victoria Webb

PAST MEN WINNERS 👇👇👇