The Virgin Money Cyclone Festival of Cycling returns for 2015 with a new three day format. Taking place over the weekend of June 19-21 June, the festival is based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne with a packed programme of leisure rides, a sportive with choice of three routes, and elite men's and women's racing in the Beaumont Trophy and Curlew Cup on Sunday.
The Tyne 6 Bridges Leisure Rides will open new-look Virgin Money Cyclone on Friday June 19, with friends and families of all riding capabilities invited to participate in the 10.5 mile and 15.5 mile rides. Adding to the evening's activities will be a new and exciting sprint competition along the banks of the Tyne, as well as a series of British Cycling-run skills tests for younger riders. A selection of food stalls and entertainment will contribute to the festival atmosphere.
On Saturday 20 June the Cyclone Challenge sportive returns, with three revised routes and distances for 2015 to avoid the risk of a bottleneck in Ponteland on the outward route. Distances include a 34 mile, 64 mile and 106 mile ride, each departing Newcastle Falcons' Kingston Park homeground and taking in some of the North East's most stunning scenery.
Feed stations, technical support crew and motorcycle escorts will again be a fixture for 2015, with St John Ambulance volunteers across each route to support a safe event. Cyclists can track their progress with professional rider timing and photography by Marathon-Photos.com.
On Sunday 21 June it's the turn of the elite riders with the Curlew Cup National Series Women's race returning to the village of Stamfordham at 9am. The hotly contested Beaumont Trophy Men's Race follows at 1.15pm, with spectators invited to watch the action unfold as the professionals tackle Northumberland's famed Ryals climb.
The Leazes Criteriums have been dropped for 2015 in response to Pro teams facing heavy criterium programmes in June, with teams opting instead to use Sunday's Curlew Cup and Beaumont Trophy endurance events in preparation for the National Road Championships the following week.
Virgin Money Cyclone founder and organiser, Peter Harrison, said of the new format: "Gearing the festival towards three key days in 2015 will make the Cyclone even more accessible to those wanting to ride it, as well as for those coming along to spectate and enjoy the full festival experience. We're packing all the atmosphere into a long weekend event and asking riders to get in and register early to secure a place."
Entries for the Virgin Money Cyclone Festival of Cycling's Friday and Saturday rides are now open. Interested riders are encouraged to enter early.
For full event information and to register, visit www.virginmoneycyclone.co.uk.
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