Entrants for the North Derbyshire Challenge Sportive on Sunday September 18 will have the unique opportunity to ride alongside professional cyclists from Derby-based Team Raleigh GAC.
Members of Team Raleigh GAC will join all three distances at the event and the team's event cars and mechanics will be on hand to provide support to anyone needing bike repairs on route.
Hundreds of cyclists are expected to take part in the North Derbyshire Cycle Sportive. It has been organised by Cycle Derby, which is part of Derby City Council and provides opportunities in cycling for people of all ages, and city-based HUUB Events, the company which brought the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon to the city in July.
Tracey Fletcher from Cycle Derby said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for cyclists of all ages, experience and abilities to ride alongside the pros from Team Raleigh GAC and we are extremely grateful to the team for their support for this event."
Team Raleigh GAC Principal Cherie Pridham continued: "We have a team of mostly new riders from three different nations this season including Scottish Road Race Champion Evan Oliphant, and previous local, national and world champions at different disciplines.
"The team has had a successful season so far and are finishing fourth in the Pearl Izumi Tour series with riders winning the Motorpoint Spring Cup Series and the British Cycling Elite Circuit Series.
"Joining the North Derbyshire Challenge Sportive is an opportunity to be part of a more relaxed event and for Team Raleigh GAC to give something back to the county, and particularly the local business community who have supported us so brilliantly over the years.
"The riders joining the event are yet to be confirmed but everyone is looking forward to making the sportive an even more exciting and prestigious event - showcasing Derby and Derbyshire as a cycling city and county."
The North Derbyshire Cycle Sportive will once again start from Markeaton Park and head up into the Derbyshire Dales and Peak District.
There are three routes, aimed at all levels of age and abilities.
All routes initially head out to Carsington Reservoir with the Radleigh Homes 40km turning back at Knockerdown. The 80km goes as far as Darley Dale, looping round Tansley while the 160km route goes up to Edale, coming back through Hope, Grindleford and Beeley before joining up with the 80km route again to return home to Markeaton Park.
There are regular food and water stations along all the routes, supported by High 5 Nutrition.
The event is open to individuals and to teams of up to ten riders who will vie for the Geldards Team Challenge title- combining their distances in an attempt to travel the furthest over one sportive.
Riders will then join family, friends and spectators at the event village back in Markeaton Park where law firm Geldards will also host a hospitality area with exclusive access for Team Distance Challenge riders throughout the day.
The event is expected to raise significant funds for the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre which is aiming to raise an additional £150,000 this year.
The anniversary appeal will enable the centre in Skegness to take an extra 250 to 270 youngsters for five-day breaks on the east coast. This is in addition to the 450 who already go there every year.
For more information and to sign up for the sportive, visit www.cyclederbysportive.co.uk.
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