Entries for the Etape Cymru, dubbed the UK’s toughest sportive, close on Wednesday (September 5).

The sportive, which takes place on Sunday September 9, takes place on fully closed roads in north Wales, with more than 3,000m of climbing on the 92-mile route.

Starting and finishing in Wrexham, riders will tackle a series of climbs, including Panorama, The Shelf, Worlds End and Horseshoe Pass, which rises for more than six kilometres to nearly 1,500 feet.

Taking over the organisation of the Etape Cymru for 2012, Human Race have taken feedback on board from the inaugural event and have made major changes ahead of this year’s sportive, with a new start/finish to avoid overcrowding on minor roads.

Double Olympic gold medallist Geraint Thomas, an Etape Cymru ambassador, said: “The route of the Etape Cymru in north Wales is amazing and people from all over the UK are going to have a fantastic day out, it’s the kind of route that makes me proud to be a Welsh cyclist.

“The great local support that we’re famous for is going to make this a very special day on the cycling calendar. I wish the best to everyone who is riding the event, it’ll be tough but the closed roads are going to be a top experience.”

Sports nutrition supplier Zipvit will supply energy bars, gels and recovery drinks from their Project ZV range for the feed stations along the route, which the organisers promise will be continually re-stocked to ensure all riders have enough food and drink to fuel their ride.

Families and friends of riders are encouraged to attend the event and support the riders, with recommended spectator points along the route. Official charity partner Macmillan invite all spectators to join them at their Team Macmillan cheer point near the Britannia pub on the Horseshoe Pass climb.

Enter online at www.etape-cymru.co.uk