The deadline for sign-ups to the NSPCC Tour of Yorkshire multi-day sportive is fast approaching after the inaugural NSPCC Tour of the South East proved a success.
More than 80 riders were on the Cyclopark start line in Gravesend, riding out to Guildford and returning the following day.
And after the first edition proved to be a success, organisers are urging sportive riders to mark next year’s dates – Saturday June 6 to Sunday June 7 – in the diary.
Riders were seeded into groups for the event, with each group supported by ride managers, domestiques, motorbike out-riders, mechanics, medical support and a branded support car, getting as close to the pro experience as possible.
Timed climbs on Kidds Hill and Box Hill, a post-event race around the Cyclopark and King of the Mountains jerseys were also included.
One Box Hill jersey winner, Dan Wilkinson, said: “Riding spectacular roads with motorbike outriders controlling the traffic along with having a team of domestiques was really special.
“The extensive support was amazing and meant that you could just concentrate on the challenge of the ride and enjoy the experience. I thought that it was an excellent event, very efficiently run and I’ll make sure that I am back here next year.”
A Yellow Jersey Dinner was also included in the cost, and event director Richard King hopes the NSPCC Tour of Yorkshire – for which entries close on Friday June 20 – will be similarly successful.
“I am extremely pleased with how our first event was rolled out and huge thanks goes out to all the riders who signed up as well as everyone that was involved in making the weekend a success,” he said.
“The riders braved the rain on Saturday and were rewarded for their efforts with beaming sunshine on their backs on Sunday.
“Enthusiasm for cycling at the moment is on a high and we can look ahead to making the coming NSPCC Tour of Yorkshire a huge success in the wake of Le Tour de France.”
The NSPCC Tour of Yorkshire, the second event in the Tour of England Series, will roll out on Saturday July 19 and Sunday July 20, taking in some of the same roads as the Tour de France Grand Depart.
For more information or to register for the NSPCC Tour of Yorkshire, visit http://www.tourofengland.co.uk/tours/tour-of-yorkshire.
