More than 6,000 cyclists from the UK and Europe will be travelling to Cambridgeshire this weekend to take on the country’s first UWCT closed road Gran Fondo and Chrono Time Trial.

Promising to bring the authentic European Gran Fondo experience to UK shores for the first time, the Enervit Tour of Cambridgeshire takes place on Saturday (June 6) and Sunday (June 7).

It will feature a sold-out time trial, Gran Fondo race and sportive, with places at the UCI Amateur Road World Championships up for grabs.

Places are still available on the day, too, payable in cash only, for anybody wishing to make last-minute plans to tackle the 128km closed-road loop.

Starting and finishing in Peterborough, the route takes in a mix of flatland and short, steep climbs making it similar to the terrain more commonly associated with Belgium – with wide-open, crosswinds likely to pose challenges.

Tom Caldwell from organisers Vericool Sports Management says; “With 6,000 places already taken from riders across the UK and Europe, the Enervit Tour of Cambridgeshire promises to be a world class event.

“The response to the Gran Fondo format similar to that popular in Europe has been incredible and it will be great to see so many people on the day being competitive or simply enjoying the countryside riding on closed roads.”

Belgian cycling legend Erwin Vervecken, a UWCT representative, has ridden the course and believes it will not be one for the faint-hearted, even without any serious climbs.

He commented: “I can safely say the wind and terrain are going to make for a tougher than expected course. The Gran Fondo will see thousands of cyclists take to the closed roads in the area promising a spectacular event, great for cycling in the region and the UK.”

For more details visit www.tourofcambridgeshire.com.