News: Eastbourne hosts South Coast Classic

Project Auster and Visit Eastbourne are excited to announce Eastbourne as the host venue for the inaugural South Coast Classic on 27-28 July 2019

News: Eastbourne hosts South Coast Classic

Project Auster and Visit Eastbourne are excited to announce Eastbourne as the host venue for the inaugural South Coast Classic on 27-28 July 2019. The new elite road race is one of only 10 races on the National Series and, as the only National A domestic race south of Bristol, will attract the UK’s best professional racing cyclists to the region.

The South Coast Classic will form part of the re-established Eastbourne Cycling Festival which will provide a weekend of activities for the entire family. The highlight of the Festival will be the South East Regional Youth Championships for the region’s best under 16 riders. As well as a full programme of amateur races, the weekend will include a Let’s Ride event where families can ride their bikes on a closed road circuit.
… continued after advert

Eastbourne will host The South Coast Classic women’s race on Saturday 27 July and the men’s race on 28 July. The races will start and finish on the palm tree-lined seafront, tackling a demanding 185km course through Sussex including sprints and King and Queen of the Mountains competitions.

Eastbourne provides a perfect backdrop for the race. As a natural gateway to the South Downs National Park, it boasts the best sunshine record in the country. Its stunning seafront and the challenging Beachy Head Climb will give The South Coast Classic an iconic and exciting backdrop

The popular Eastbourne Cycling Festival will once again attract the region’s top amateur races. This year it will also include the Penny Farthing World Championships with riders tackling the climb up to Beachy Head. The Western Lawns will play host to the Event Village including a food festival and activities for all the family.
… continued after advert

The full route and further details of The South Coast Classic will be announced at the race launch in March. Mike Morgan, Race Director, said: “We are delighted to be working with Eastbourne Borough Council and Visit Eastbourne to bring elite road racing to the South East. With over 20,000 members, the South East is British Cycling’s largest region by membership. Our region’s roads will provide a challenging and exciting race for the riders and spectators along the course.”

Eastbourne Borough Council Lead Cabinet Member for Tourism and Enterprise, Councillor Margaret Bannister said: “Eastbourne is delighted to be working with race organisers in hosting the first ever South Coast Classic. We are very much looking forward to welcoming these incredible elite riders, and sharing our stunning sunshine coast setting in the south coast leg of this sensational road racing series.”