Team Sky directeur sportif Sean Yates is to ride the 2012 Catford Hill Climb Classic.
Yates, who in 1994 became the third Briton to wear the Tour de France’s yellow jersey, masterminded Bradley Wiggins’ Tour victory from the Sky team car.
The 52-year-old will ride the 117th edition of the Catford Hill Climb Classic, the longest continuing cycle race in the world, on Sunday October 14.
The event takes place on Yorks Hill in Kent, a short but brutally steep 707-yard ascent with two sections of 25 per cent.
Yates, who took time out from his Team Sky duties to preview the climb before the Tour of Lombardy, said: “I’ve never done a hill climb in my life and after this one don’t think I will again. Everything they say about this hill is true. It’s a bit of lump and so I’m sure it should be a good fight.
“I’ve heard the atmosphere is amazing so I hope to see a lot of people helping me make it to the top.”
Hill climb specialist Robert Gough will be out to win the event for the fourth consecutive year and has been training specifically to try and beat Phil Mason’s course record, which has stood since since 1983.
“I’ve been so close in the past, I’m determined to do it this year,” said Gough, who will face a field which includes Raleigh-GAC duo Liam Holohan and Matthew Holmes.
