Thursday, July 26 2012

After a successful running in 2011, Cyclothon UK, the 12 hour endurance team relay race at Brands Hatch, returns this September (13). With recent success in the Tour de France and Team GB entering their home Olympics with a record medal haul to defend, cycling is currently enjoying a huge wave of support and this event is a chance for teams from the public to test their skills on part of the Paralympic course, at a venue that has its roots in the sport.

Cyclothon UK is open to Solo riders, corporate teams, charity fundraisers and sporting celebrities, and for the first time in 2012, a new Elite category has been created with a prize of £1,000 to be awarded to the winning 4-man team from this class. The elite riders will compete alongside contenders in the main event, allowing amateurs to gauge their skill against the best.

Brands Hatch circuit provides an outstanding course with its well-maintained surface and challenging undulating hills. The event takes place just a week after the Paralympic Road Cycling events and the Cyclothon event will use much of the route, described as the 'best ever' by enthusiastic Paralympians at a recent training day.

Cyclothon UK is set to become one of the premier pro/amateur events on the Road Race calendar, with pit garages, hot showers, changing rooms, breakfast, lunch and dinner, free massage, mechanical support and even a welcome beer at the end of the race.

The event is organised by former England Rugby international Victor Ubogu, who has once again convinced a full squad of international rugby players to join him.  Fellow England rugby legends Phil De Glanville, Rory Underwood, and Mark Regan MBE will return for the second year, whilst Craig Chalmers, Scott Hastings, Rob Wainwright and Doddie Weir represent Scotland, and Alix Popham and Andrew Lewis will ride for Wales.  Ubogu is still in talks to recruit several Irish players to take up the challenge and complete the rugby home nation race, whilst other celebrities are being lined up to take part.

Victor said: "Due to the huge British interest in pro-cycling this year with London 2012 and now Wiggins storming the Tour de France, I thought us rugby players and mere cycling mortals should see how fast the big boys go - and what better way to do this than eating their dust on the hills of Brands Hatch!"

Cyclists who would like to enter the 2012 challenge can book online or find out more at www.cyclothonuk.com or by calling 0871 871 5300.  You can also follow updates on twitter @cyclothonuk