Tour of Wessex 2011 Date Announced

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28-30th May date for multi-stage sportive

The 2011 date for the Tour of Wessex Cyclosportive was announced today, with the event being held on Spring Bank Holiday weekend Saturday 28th to Monday 30th May in Somerton, Somerset, the Ancient Royal Capital of Wessex. Organisers expect it to attract up to 2,500 cyclists for UK's origional and biggest multi stage mass participation cycling event.

Tour of Wessex HQ - Somerton Sports Club (Photo: Andrew Crocker)

2011 will be the sixth edition of this unique event which last year attracted riders from all over the world, with teams from Belgium, Holland and Luxemburg making the journey to test themselves in one of the UK's biggest open cycling challenges.

The event is split in to three stages over three days of 106, 117 and 106 miles with two shorter rides of 23 and 76 miles also taking place on Saturday 28th May. The routes will again start and finish in Somerton and take in many of the South West's most iconic locations, including, Glastonbury Tor, Cheddar Gorge, Exmoor National Park, Corfe Castle and the World Heritage Jurassic Coastline.

Dunkery Beacon, Exmoor - Tour of Wessex stage 3 (Photo: Dennis Sackett)

Nick Bourne of organiser Pendragon Sports said: "We are delighted with how the event has continued to develop over the past five years with the numbers of participants increasing year on year, born out by the fact that in 2010 over 20% more opted to enter all three stages. Next year we expect to see more cyclists than ever finishing the full three day challenge as riders are becoming more experienced at endurance cycling challenges; as well as looking forward to seeing more of the local community have ago at one of the shorter distances. Registration is now open on the event website and we would encourage people to sign up as soon as possible so they can plan their training - there is no better incentive than a major challenge like this to ensure a regular dose of exercise!"

The Hanging Chapel, Langport - Tour of Wessex stage 3 (photo: Dennis Sackett)

Brian Johnson Chairman of British Cycling South West commented that he was "excited about the popularity of the event and the fact that it was helping to support the development of grass roots cycling as well as that of the "Pendragon - Le Col - Colnago" racing team. We will continue to work with Pendragon Sports, the regional leisure services and other stakeholders to grow this event in the years to come."

The Tour of Wessex is the first event in the "Pendragon Sportive series" of events, the full calendar is as follows:

Tour of Wessex 28-30th May
Tour of Exmoor 2nd July
Tour of the Black Mountains 9th July
London 2 Monaco (Time Trial) TBC
Tour of Dartmoor 24th September

The series of events offers cyclists the opportunity to take part in fully supported rides in the National Parks of the region as well as the Brecon Beacons in South Wales.

Milton Abbas - Tour of Wessex Stage 2 (Photo: Phil O'Connor)