Abergavenny International Festival of Cycling
Posted 10/06/08
Your chance to be part of one of Britain's largest cycling Festivals where there is something for everyone, whether you are a novice or an Elite Professional.
Abergavenny from the 16th to the 22nd June is the destination for all cyclists and their friends alike; whether you are participating or a spectator there is something for all the family.
The festival starts and continues all week long with accompanied rides for novices and who ever wishes to join in or we may have different groups or who knows if enough are interested we may have a midweek Sportif.
Tuesday - Thursday will see a 3-stage handicap event based on categories.
Friday evening the professionals come to town for the Abergavenny Criterium International (15 overseas plus GB teams have requested an invite) on a closed circuit in the town centre. Youth and 2nd & 3rd category events precede this.
Saturday the UCI Iron Mountain Sportif takes the stage with 25, 50 and 100-mile distances (see website and Cyclosport.org - return to the Iron Mountain for 07 review).
The Sportif will be run over a similar route to the GP of Wales which is based in Bailey Park (town centre) which is host to a range of activities for all the family. While the Sportif is out of town families/friends can be left with a clear conscience as there is plenty to enjoy during their stay in Abergavenny. This includes bicycle magic and extreme stunt shows and the Welsh Cycling schools development team and the Dirt Crits for youngsters. All this followed by a Bar-B-Q (included in the Sportif entry) and the climax to the day is the evening concert of six bands which includes the return of Abergavenny's own Elvis. This is also your chance to do something really worthwhile by raising money for a good cause. Use the Sportif to raise money for your favourite charity, the Dragon Rider Fund, or the event preferred charity the British Heart Foundation. Sponsorship forms from www.dragonriderfund.co.uk or for the BHF e.mail meaking@bhf.org.uk
On the Sunday the103 mile International Grand Prix of Wales starts in Abergavenny town centre adjoining the park. A large circuit retraces back to Abergavenny via Usk and Monmouth before the climb of the infamous Tumble-Iron Mountain and Brynmawr before returning to Abergavenny to pass the finish line and start the eight finish laps. The 8km circuit climbs 250m before descending back through the Mardy to cross the intermediate sprints/finish line. A more spectator friendly race would be hard to find.
While the GP of Wales is out of town the park comes back to life with the Welsh Schools Grass Track Championships, so another full day of racing in the town centre
Further details and entry information at www.abergavennyfestivalofcycling.co.uk
Get Connected!, sponsor of the star-studded Abergavenny Criterium International cycle race on next Friday are looking forward to another crowd-thrilling evening as the professionals come to town to take on the one-kilometre circuit course which takes the riders past the mobile phone retailer’s local store and head office in Nevill Street.
Leading British cycling names like Beijing Olympics rider Chris Newton, plus Welshmen Dale Appleby and Rob Partridge will be taking to the streets along with all the best domestic competitors from across the country as they warm-up for the National Road Race Championships that follow the Abergavenny International Festival of Cycling.
Mr Damian Cole, managing director of Get Connected!, said: "Following last year’s resounding success, we’re proud to be sponsoring the prestigious Friday evening international race again.
"The Get Connected! shop couldn’t be closer to the action on probably the most exciting part of the circuit; it’s a great sight to see some of the world’s best cyclists take the bend past the Post Office opposite, twist through past the store and into Tudor Street"
"People come from far and wide to line the streets and, with our head office in Abergavenny, it is important to the company to get behind the organisers and support the event"
"The shop will be open for the evening and we look forward to welcoming our customers for a prime view of the action!"
The Get Connected! Abergavenny Criterium International commences at 8pm next Friday June 20.
TORCHWOOD STAR TO ROCK ABERGAVENNY'S PARTY IN BAILEY PARK
IT is not often that a local actor and singer can beat superstars David Beckham or Brad Pitt in the good looks department - but Torchwood star Gareth David-Lloyd has done just that.
Mr David-Lloyd, who plays techy wizard Ianto Jones alongside Torchwood's lead star John Barrowman (Captain Jack) in the cult BBC series, is returning to his roots to rock Abergavenny's Bailey Park on Saturday week with his blues band Blue Gillespie.
But the 27-year-old, who joined the Gwent Young People's Theatre in Abergavenny as a teenager before going onto greater things, was recently voted the 11th sexiest man in the world by a leading USA entertainment website - and that put him ahead of England football legend Beckham and Hollywood A List movie star Pitt.
It is quite a scoop for the Abergavenny International Festival of Cycling to capture Mr David-Lloyd and Blue Gillespie as the headline act for the Party in Bailey Park
Festival organiser Bill Owen said:
"This is a terrific scoop for the Party in Bailey Park to have Blue Gillespie and Mr David-Lloyd playing. They have played The Point in Cardiff and come with a great reputation."
But there was one downside to Mr David-Lloyd's position in the celebrity poll as he finished below Torchwood's main star Mr Barrowman.
However, the Newport-born actor took it in good humour saying:
"I understand I'm underneath John Barrowman, which seems to happen quite a lot. Maybe next year, Ianto can be on top."
Blue Gillespie are just one of six bands and artists, including Abergavenny's very own Elvis Presley lookalike and charity fund-raiser Keith Davies, who rocked the Party 12 months ago.
Guest presenter Les Paul, who has DJ-ed at some of the biggest places around the world, including a listening audience in the USA of nine million during a trip to New York, will be bringing his own sounds to the Party.
The Party starts at 4pm on Saturday May 21 at Bailey Park, with bands playing along with Blue Gillespie and Elvis being Clinical Grover, Cakehole Presley, Hoochy Mamma and Fish In A Tree, all top Welsh artists.