The sportive founder: Lou Lusardi (Dragon Ride)

In a country which proudly adorns the red dragon on their national flag, Lou Lusardi can lay claim to being a Dragon master. As the man behind the Dragon Ride, which celebrated its tenth anniversary edition this year, he founded one of the biggest sportives on the UK calendar. Held in South Wales every year, the Wiggle Dragon Ride announced its new 300km Dragon Devil route for 2014 as it continues to grow. Lusardi talked us through why he chose Wales in the first place, and why he believes the Dragon Ride has grown so big.

He said: “I live in South Wales and well before I was interested in cycling I used to travel over the hills and valleys en route to car rallies, so I was well aware of what superb roads and mountain climbs South and Mid Wales had to offer.

“When I took up cycling in later years I used the roads to train for continental sportives and Gran Fondos. The principle mountains used on the Dragon Ride were also classic Milk Race and Tour of Britain climbs.

“Adding in the Brecon Beacons also gave the ride the extension from the South Wales valley climbs onto more rugged, remote and beautiful landscape that the Beacons has to offer.

“Much of the success of the Dragon Ride was from being probably the first true continental style sportive to be held in the UK, based on my experience from taking part in many Italian Gran Fondos in Northern Italy where my family originated.

“The geographical location of the Dragon, based close to the M4 with ease of access from the rest of the UK and Ireland, and having the signature climbs of the Bwlch and Rhigos only 20 miles to the north have also been a significant factor in the success of the event.

“Another big plus is the similarity of the climbs to those in the Alps, allowing many riders to use the Dragon as a warm up for the Etape du Tour and La Marmotte events.”