Three-time world road race champion Oscar Freire will ride the Mallorca 312 Sportive on Saturday April 27, with more than 200 riders from the UK set to line-up alongside the retired pro.

The sportive covers a lap of the Mediterranean island – 312km – although riders can also opt to tackle a 167km half-lap route.

Freire, who retired at the end of the 2012 season, will, of course, ride the full course and the four-time Tour de France stage winner will also be joined by several other former professionals, including Pedro Horillo, Joseba Beloki and Fernando Escatin.

Starting in Playa de Muro on the north coast of the island, the event, which is in its fourth year, heads in an anti-clockwise direction and straight into the mountains. The island’s longest climb, the Puig Major, is tackled first before skirting along the stunning coastline through Soller and Deia.

At Valldemosa the routes split with the 167km course returning through quiet roads in the middle of the island and on to the finish, while the full 312km route carries on to Calvia, Palma, Ses Salines, Porto Cristo and Arta before the run-in to the finish.

Entry costs €65 for the 312 and €55 for the 167 (with a €10 surcharge on entries after April 22) and includes an event jersey, finisher’s t-shirt and certificate. The event is fully signposted, while a group of local riders will ride each course at a steady speed in order to help riders finish inside the allocated time limits. Riders can also expect well-stocked feed stations, mechanical and medical back-up and a broom wagon.

Accommodation is still available at the event’s official hotel, Iberostar Playa de Muro, which has secure bike storage, a workshop, bike wash and a cycling shop.

Visit www.en.mallorca312.com for more information.