A massive new closed-road sportive has been announced as part of the 2019 National Road Championships in Norfolk. 12,000 cyclists are expected to take part in the sportive on Sunday 30 June 2019, which will accompany a packed programme of cycling events in a new Great British Cycling Festival.
Next year's National Championships will be staged in partnership with Golazo, the organisers behind high-profile cycling events like the Tour of Cambridgeshire Granfondo. The national time trial champions will be crowned on Thursday 27th June 2019, while the road races will be contested on Sunday 30th June.
Meanwhile, amateur cyclists will have the opportunity to ride the same closed-road course as the professionals in a 100-mile sportive out of Norwich city centre, and the best of British mountain biking will be on display as Norwich hosts the fifth round of HSBC UK | National Cross-country Series.
The week will combine a true celebration of cycling at all levels as part of a new concept created by Golazo, the Great British Cycling Festival.
Jonathan Rigby, British Cycling's Commercial Director, said: "We're thrilled to confirm the award of the 2019 HSBC UK National Road Championships to Norfolk. The championships are the flagship event of our road racing calendar, and the list of previous winners - which includes Sir Bradley Wiggins, Laura Kenny, Geraint Thomas, Lizzie Deignan and Mark Cavendish - gives some indication of the prestige of the event.
"While these championships represent the pinnacle of domestic road racing, they are also a celebration of cycling as a whole. We're delighted to be staging a mass participation ride alongside the elite races, and are pleased to have linked up with Golazo, Active Norfolk, Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council, all of whom share our ambition to make our communities fitter, greener and healthier through increased levels of cycling."
Tom Caldwell, Director of Golazo, said: "Golazo is delighted to be delivering an incredible festival of cycling incorporating the HSBC UK | National Road Championships and a mass participation, closed-road sportive in partnership with British Cycling and all of the authorities in Norfolk.
"This festival will be unlike anything witnessed before and fits perfectly with our core mission to create a partnership between elite sports and mass participation. Our objective is to encourage more people to live healthier lifestyles through participation in sports - Let's Move."
Councillor Andrew Proctor, Leader of Norfolk County Council, added: "We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Golazo and British Cycling to host the HSBC UK | National Road Cycling Championships in Norfolk in June next year.
"Since our Pushing Ahead cycling and walking initiative launched in 2016 we've encouraged more people to get on their bikes and engage in active travel across the county, and hosting a prestigious cycling event such as this will only help inspire more people to consider cycling as an alternative way to get about.
"Whether it's watching the championships, taking part in the Great British Cycling Festival sportive, or participating in the community and family events that will be held, Norfolk residents will have a great time.
"We anticipate the event will attract a huge number of visitors to the county which will not only bring in additional revenue for local businesses county-wide but will introduce many new visitors to Norfolk."
Entry to the sportive is priced £78 and will be open to all, with pre-registration beginning on Saturday 24th November at 7.30am. Entries are limited and anyone who has pre-registered will have priority when entries open on Friday 30th November.
For more details and to enter, visit www.gbcyclingfestival.co.uk.
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