THE DATE of next year’s 100-mile bike ride across the West Midlands has been brought forward.
Event organisers of the Vélo Birmingham and Midlands said the date has been moved to June 21 to accommodate the professional road cycling racing calendar in 2020.
Thousands of cyclists took part in the route in May which started in Digbeth, Birmingham, taking in Solihull, Bedworth, Coventry and Sandwell.
The event brought out big crowds, but attracted criticism from numerous residents about widespread road closures, with some saying they felt trapped in their homes.
During the 2019 event cyclist Michael Lunn from Derbyshire died after coming off his bike on Coleshill Road, in Atherstone, at around 7.50am.
As part of the organisers’ ambition to build the event into one of Europe’s biggest and most high profile cycling events, they are deep in discussions to host a high profile professional road race as part of next year’s event.
Organisers have taken the early decision to move the date in order to align with the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) calendar and give them the best possible opportunity to deliver on their vision, according to a statement released on behalf of the organisers.
Richard Relton, chief executive of the Vélo Series, said: “As event organisers, it has always been our ambition to build Vélo Birmingham and Midlands into a much broader ‘festival of cycling’ that engages enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels.
“As part of this we have a strong desire to host a high profile professional road race during the Vélo Birmingham and Midlands weekend.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Vélo Birmingham and Midlands to fulfil its true potential as one of Europe’s biggest and most inclusive cycling events as we build towards the 2022 Commonwealth Games.”
Entries will open on October 1 to previous participants and on October 3 to everyone who has pre-registered.
