Exciting Changes for the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling’s 10th Anniversary

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There will be exciting Changes for the 10th anniversary of the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling as it takes on a new look for this year with new dates and exciting road race events.

The Festival’s new shape will see events split between two days in June and one in July, with the centrepiece of the Festival – the Iron Mountain Sportif – which takes place on June 24 and is supported by our official charity, North Gwent Cardiac Rehabilitation, before the cycling stars of the future take to the same roads when Monmouthshire hosts a round of the HSBC British Cycling Junior Road Race Series sponsored by Family Vision the following day. And then the streets of Abergavenny will be closed off on Friday July 7 for the Wales Open Criterium, which is also a round of the HSBC British Cycling Elite Circuit Series and will be shown on Eurosport TV.

As ever, the Iron Mountain Sportif will bring its own set of challenges for the beginner, novice or experienced cyclists with rides across four distances. The fully supported Sportif rides all start from Bailey Park Abergavenny where cycling activities will be happening throughout the day and a place to relax on completing your challenging event. The Monmouthshire 20 ride is for families and novices and takes in the Usk Valley with a refreshment stop at the Black Bear. The Monmouthshire 40 takes to the roads of the north of the county, while the seventy and one hundred miles rides continue on through the finish line in Bailey Park to take in the famous Tumble Mountain and the glorious Brecon Beacons. The three events share the same first feed station in the village of Grosmont which has its own Cycling Festival taking place over the weekend putting on a huge welcome for the sportive and road races with the whole village decorated in a cycling theme. A further feed station at Brynmawr for the 70 and 100 events with a final one for the 100 at Talgarth before returning to Abergavenny.

It will be the 10th year of the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling and the new format for this year is something differ-ent for bike fans to enjoy including the Junior Road Race which will finish in Grosmont. Festival organiser Bill Owen MBE said: “We are extremely pleased for the continued support from Abergavenny Town Council, Monmouthshire County Council and our sponsors which has enabled us to continue to promote major national events in Abergavenny and its surrounding areas. “And with the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games only a year away, this will be a great chance to see some riders from across the UK who could be competing for a medal there.”

The Wales Open Criterium will feature some of the best riders in the country plus supporting races for junior riders and the ever-popular Abergavenny Traders Race.

Owen added: “Last year started on a high with The Abergavenny Festival of Cycling again being awarded the best organised event by British Cycling for 2015 after previously winning this award for the event in 2013”.

“Now we hope to bring a new and exciting element to the Festival which will show how we are continually looking at fresh ideas to enthuse cyclists of all ages and abilities.”

For further information about the Iron Mountain Sportif and to enter any of the rides, go to www.abergavennyfestivalofcycling.co.uk

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Abergavenny Now founder and History graduate from Bath Spa University. I was born in Abergavenny and have lived in the town for most of my life.

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