The Tour of Cambridgeshire

Sunday 7th June 2015 – Tour of Cambridgeshire Gran Fondo sportive/race 126km:

A revolution is about to take place in UK cycling and this is your chance to be part of it. Held on fully closed roads the weekend incorporates the first ever authentic continental style Gran Fondo mass participation ride and race on English shores. Whether you want to race or to be part of UK cycling history by having a leisurely ride on closed roads, you can participate and feel the experience of a pro rider.

Either enjoy a fully closed road race or enjoy the freedom of a traffic free mass participation ride over a unique course and unique terrain. All riders will be timed using state of the art transponders and their position will be awarded on time. Behind those wanting to race will be a mass participation event, much like marathon running where the professionals are at the front and everyone else behind, where you can race your friends or simply enjoy a safe day out on closed roads enjoying the countryside.

The route is very similar to Belgium with some short sharp climbs at the start followed by the wide open roads of the Fens. There will be two feed stops on the route and the race will be supported with mechanical assistance and medical cover.

What makes this event different.

Closed roads
The 132km (81mile) Gran Fondo sportive/race route on Sunday 7th June is on fully closed roads for you to race or enjoy a traffic free day out. The 28km (17.5mile) time trial on Saturday 6th June will also take place on fully closed roads.

126km route through the Cambridgeshire countryside
The terrain is very like Belgium so although predominantly flat there are a few short sharp hills and the wind is also likely to be a contributing factor on the day. There will be several feed stops along the route with medical and mechanical assistance at each one.

Leisure Ride or Race
The front of the Gran Fondo will be a race while the rear sections will be a closed road sportive. Think of it like the London marathon running race where the professionals and top amateurs are at the front battling it out while those behind are out for their own personal challenge or to simply enjoy riding on closed roads. You will need a race licence if you want to be gridded at the front but the rest of the field is open to all riders and you don’t need a licence to enter.

Peterborough Arena headquarters & start / finish
Both the Gran Fondo and time trial start and finish in the spacious Peterborough Arena (also known as the Peterborough Showground). This facility is well used to hosting major events so you can expect smooth traffic flow, ample parking, catering outlets and not forgetting plenty of toilets all on site. The Showground will be accessible all weekend even while events are taking place as the routes for both the Gran Fondo and time trial use a different entrance and exit from normal visitor access.

Free parking on site for all entrants
There is free parking for up to 20,000 cars on site all within a few minutes ride from the start/finish area. No lengthy rides from your vehicle before or after and no costly parking charges either!

12.00 noon start
No pre-dawn start time here. A much more civilised 12.00 noon start should help you better prepare what kit you will need to take with you on the ride, ie let you know what the weather is like.

Easy access from motorways and travel hubs
The Peterborough Showground is well signposted from the A1 (literally a few minute away) and in the local area. Peterborough train station and Peterborough bus station are a 15 minute ride away.

Easy on-site registration
Registration for both events will be open from 2:00pm on Friday 5th June in the Arena with unhindered access all day Saturday for those registering for the Gran Fondo even while the time trial is taking place. On the Sunday the registration will be open from 6:00am until 10:30am.

£1,500 prize for first male and first female
The Tour of Cambridgeshire Gran Fondo is one of very few cycling events in the UK where prize money is equal for both male and female riders across all categories. The race distance is also the same for males and females too at 132km (81mile). The race format is open to all categories including Elite.

Expo area
Our retail partner Rutland Cycling will have an outlet at the Arena all weekend with a wide range of spares and accessories in case you forget any necessities. Various exhibitors will be showing off the latest shiny goods and the Silkolene stunt riding display team will be on site all weekend entertaining the crowds with their shows.