January 16, 2017 10.56 am This story is over 86 months old

British cycling stars to tackle gruelling ‘Tour of the Wolds’ challenge

Cyclists from across the UK will be drawn to the Lincolnshire Wolds this year for a gruelling weekend of televised racing. The ‘Tour of the Wolds’ event will take place over the weekend of April 8 and 9, attracting the biggest teams and names in British cycling. Professional male and female cyclists will tackle a…
Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

Cyclists from across the UK will be drawn to the Lincolnshire Wolds this year for a gruelling weekend of televised racing.

The ‘Tour of the Wolds’ event will take place over the weekend of April 8 and 9, attracting the biggest teams and names in British cycling.

Professional male and female cyclists will tackle a route that goes from Louth, over the Wolds to Caistor and back, incorporating the villages of South Elkington, Binbrook and Tealby.

Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

The tour will include:

  • A 62 mile professional women’s race starting at 9am
  • A 102 mile professional men’s race at 12.30pm

The Wolds is just one of four locations in the UK to host a HSBC UK Spring Cup Series event this year and will feature on Eurosport with highlights on ITV4.

On Saturday, April 8, cycling enthusiasts from the local area and further afield will be able to take part in a Sportive, which will be based around the London Road Pavilion, Louth, looping into the Wolds.

The ‘Tour of the Wolds’ sees British Cycling, East Lindsey District Council and Magna Vitae team up with EventDS Ltd to stage the event.

Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

Former Team Sky rider and four time winner of the Lincoln Grand Prix, Russell Downing from JLT Condor said: “I am really looking forward to riding the Tour of the Wolds.

“These roads are never easy and the circuit certainly looks challenging. It will be a ‘racers race’ and one I will relish!”

East Lindsey district councillor Adam Grist said: “It’s great that we’ve been able to work with partners to secure a major event for the Wolds, which we expect to attract a significant number of both competitors and spectators.”

Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

Managing director for Magna Vitae, Mark Humphreys said: “We are delighted that the Tour of the Wolds has been confirmed as part of British Cycling’s 2017 events calendar.”

This prestigious event comes just two years after the Wolds played a pivotal role in the British Cycling National Road Championships back in 2015.

For further information on all the events that weekend, including routes and times, visit the website.