Participate Sport, the Mass Participation Sports Events business, today announced the acquisition of the Wiggle Dragon Ride from Breakaway Cycling adding it to their portfolio of events including Cycletta supported by Victoria Pendleton and the Festival of Sport.
Started in 2004, The Dragon Ride has the reputation as the favourite sportive event in the UK and has gained the added prestige of being appointed as the UK round of the UCI Golden Bike World Series by the world governing body, the UCI sitting alongside iconic sportives such as the Cape Argus Cycle Tour, La Pinarello and the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.
Event Director Lou Lusardi will be continuing his role as Dragon Ride Event Director working alongside the extremely experienced Participate team, previously responsible for the creation and delivery of Etape Caledonia and Hibernia, The London Triathlon and many other events in their roles as Directors at IMG until a year ago. He will provide his expertise and support Participate in adding new aspects of the event designed to create an even better experience for participants in 2012. The Dragon Ride will start and finish at a wonderful new venue, the route has been revamped to be more exciting and the whole start and finish process will be enhanced and improved.
In announcing the acquisition of The Dragon Ride by Participate, Nick Rusling, CEO said, "I am so excited to add The Dragon Ride to our portfolio of events. It is a jewel in the cycling calendar and one I have admired and respected for many years. Participate’s ethos is all about delivering the best possible competitor experience and can’t wait to work with Lou on the event and see how we can take it to the next level. Our team have created world class and unique events and we hope to bring something special to The Dragon Ride. With our Cycletta events linked with Vicky Pendleton gaining their unique place in the calendar in 2011 and our new Festival of Sport being run in 2012 for the first time, we are looking forward to giving cyclists an incredible summer of challenges next year."
Lou Lusardi said, "I am looking forward to working with Participate on what will be a very exciting future for the Dragon Ride. The Participate team have some exceptional event experience to support me in delivering a great event in 2012, with new ideas and also importantly taking on all the key feedback from the 2011 event."
In 2011, the 4000 places sold out in only 22 hours! Entries for the 2012 Dragon Ride open on the 14th December 2011 at 9am so set the alarm. In 2012, the event will be centred on Margam Country Park, offering riders some of Wales' most breathtaking scenery.
Event website: www.wiggledragonride.com
