Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Caledonia and Etape Pennines, IMG Challenger World events, today opened general public entries with a huge demand for places anticipated.
Don't expect to enter on the day for either Etape event - both are expected to sell out.
In the last two years, the 81 mile Etape Caledonia has sold out rapidly and with cycling interest sky high after the Tour De France and the Olympics over 7000 eager cyclists have already registered interest on the event website.
It is expected that Etape Caledonia will sell out quickly but organisers have a year of incredible closed road events for all riders to get their teeth into including Etape Pennines which is also open for entries. All Etape Series events have the same closed road experience and give riders a tough but enjoyable day in the saddle.
Etape Caledonia is now in its seventh year and has become one of the 'must do' sportive events on the international calendar. It was the UK's first ever closed road sportive and is the largest event of its kind outside mainland Europe. With its rugged Scottish terrain and reputation within the cycling world, a place on Etape Caledonia for any rider is the start of a tough but ultimately gratifying challenge.
Etape Caledonia is, of course, the event that kicked off a growing series of closed road sportives under the Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Series umbrella. In parallel with registration opening for Caledonia, places are also now available for the "Beautiful but Brutal" Etape Pennines.
With so many riders competing for places on Etape Caledonia, many may choose to turn their attention to Etape Pennines. Run for the first time in 2012 and heralded as the toughest sportive in the UK, the 78 mile course offers a different type of challenge. The tougher little brother in the series has already seen 1000 riders register their interest and with just over 3000 places available, entrants are encouraged to get their places early.
Marie Curie Cancer Care, the event’s charity partner is also encouraging all participants to raise funds for the charity. Marie Curie provides free hands-on nursing care to people with a terminal illness, either in their own home or one of the charity’s nine hospices.
To celebrate the success of the partnership with Marie Curie Cancer Care and in recognition of their incredible work, IMG will now pledge places for Etape events in their first or second year. This means a proportion of entries will be free, as long as the rider commits to raise funds for this excellent cause.
James Robinson, Managing Director of IMG Challenger World said: "With cycling placed firmly in the hearts and minds of the British public following an incredible sporting year, Etape Caledonia and Etape Pennines offer riders the chance to test their legs over some of the most inspirational and challenging countryside in the UK. The Series is growing in popularity year by year and with such demand for the inspirational closed road courses that Etape Series events deliver, we are hoping to offer more opportunities in the future. Watch this space!”
Marie Curie Cancer Care’s Director of Fundraising, Fabian French, said: “Marie Curie are extremely pleased to be working with these two premier cycling events again. The events offers cyclists an unrivalled individual challenge but also the opportunity to help others by raising valuable funds to provide more free nursing care and support to terminally ill people and their families.“
Read last year’s Etape Pennies Event Report for a further insight into the event.
Visit the event websites to enter: www.etapepennines.co.uk | www.etapecaledonia.co.uk
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