The RIS Junior Tour of Wales

 

Cyclists from around Europe will be racing through Blaenau Gwent this month in the challenging three-day RIS Junior Tour of Wales international event.

 

Teams from Denmark, Belgium and Holland will be among those trying to win the race – the 80 riders start in Brynmawr and will cycle roads in Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire and Powys before the hill climb finish in the Brecon Beacons.

The Welsh will be looking to impress in their home event

 

A new event for young cyclists aged from six to 16 is also being held under Welsh Cycling regulations at Parc Bryn Bach. Race sponsors Arriva Trains Wales are working in partnership with Welsh Cycling and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council to encourage and develop new young cycling talent.

 

Councillor Jason Owen, Executive Member for Leisure, said: "As Executive Member for Leisure I am delighted that this event is once again taking place in the county borough, using our excellent facilities at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar.

 

"I’m sure the event will be supported by the people of Blaenau Gwent."

 

The RIS Junior Tour has featured some of the best young riders from Wales over the years, including Cardiff’s Geraint Thomas - who recently won a Track World Pursuit gold medal and is favourite for a medal in this event at the Olympics in Beijing.

 

Event organiser John Richards said the race will test the riders to the utmost.

"I’m delighted that Blaenau Gwent are sponsoring the Junior Tour of Wales for the 28th time," he said.

 

"It is a wonderful tribute to them and their support for the best young cyclists in Great Britain.

 

"The Junior Tour is the one event on the calendar that these 16-18 year old budding stars really want to ride as it gives them an insight into top class stage racing, of which the pinnacle is the Tour de France.

 

"Mark Cavendish won four stages in the recent 'Le Tour', a record for a British rider, and he rode the Junior Tour in 2005.

 

"The race is over five stages of varying terrain around south and mid Wales with two mountain top finishes, both three-mile climbs which will test the riders to the utmost."

 

Saturday 23rd August – 10.30am

STAGE 1 – Time Trial. 6 miles (10km)

Start: Blaenavon Road. 300m from roundabout

Course : Brynmawr-Blaenavon Road-Tumble @ 1 minute Intervals.

Saturday 23rd August - 2.45pm

 

STAGE 2 – Road Race. 50 miles.

Course: Brynmawr -A465-Gilwern-Crickhowell-Talybont-Brecon-Talgarth-

Llangorse –Talybont – Llangynidr – Mountain.

Finish 1km after summit at 5.15pm.

Sunday August 24th – 10.30 am

 

STAGE 3 – Circuit Race, Bryn Bach Park 24 miles.

Sunday August 24th – 3:30 pm

 

STAGE 4 – Road Race.

Course - Nantyglo - A465, Abergavenny - Raglan (B4598) - Mitcheltroy

(A40) - Raglan (B4598) - Abergavenny - A465 - Brynmwar.

Finish: Market Square, Brynmawr.

Monday August 25th – 10.30am

 

STAGE 5 – Road Race. 62 miles( 100km)

Course – Nantyglo– A465W – Dowlais – Hirwaun – Storey Arms –Brecon – A40 – Abergavenny – Llanfoist

Finish: Tumble (Keepers) Mountain, Blaenavon approx. 1.15

Riders on the Tumble

 

The Mayor of Blaenau Gwent, Councillor Jenny Morgan will wave the flag to start the race at Market Square, Brynmawr, at 3pm on Saturday 23 August 2008.

 

The first stage will be a 45-mile loop via Crickhowell, Brecon and Talybont, finishing with a three-mile climb to the top of Llangynidr Mountain.

 

The 80 riders will be at Parc Bryn Bach, Tredegar, at 10.30am on Sunday 24 August 2008 for stage two – a tough hour-long race around the park’s two-mile circuit. Then they start stage three at 3.30pm setting off from Parc Bryn Bach for another 45-mile loop.

 

RIS Insulations of Blaina and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council are the main sponsors of the event. The Racehorse Inn, on Blaenavon Road, is sponsoring the trophies.

 

Stage five starts at Nantyglo Leisure Centre at 10.30am on Monday 25 August before running along the A465 Heads of the Valleys road to Hirwaun and then over the Beacons to Brecon and Abergavenny to finish at the top of Keeper’s Mountain. The race has been won and lost on the last climb in previous years.

 

For the new event for younger cyclists racing begins at 10.30am on Saturday 23 August and continues on Sunday 31 August under Welsh Cycling regulations. Presentations will take place at Brynmawr’s Market Square at 2.15pm on the 23 August and at 3pm at Parc Bryn Bach Visitor Centre on 31 August.

 

For more information on the race visit www.juniortourofwales.com

www.youthtourofwales.org