Council Set To Support Aber Cyclefest

Following a Cabinet meeting on 14 March 2017 the Council has decided to support a new format for Aber CycleFest this May, following the cancellation of the 2017 Pearl Izumi Tour Series stage which was to be held in Aberystwyth.
Ceredigion County Council will now support organisers Aberystwyth CycleFest with the previously successful format, adding a new race which will replace the previous Tour Series race as the final event of the evening. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Sweetspot, the Pearl Izumi Tour Series organiser, informed the Council on Wednesday, 1 March 2017 that the event would not go ahead this year in Aberystwyth. This was due to several logistical changes being made to the series, resulting in a Welsh leg not being possible this year. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Tour Series criterium race was the flagship event of AberCycleFest week. The 2016 event attracted 5,000 visitors to the Aberystwyth area contributing almost £300,000 into the local economy. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Ann Eleri Jones, Ceredigion County Council’s Tourism and Marketing Manager, said: “The Council is delighted to be associated with the new ‘Ceredigion Grand Prix’. It’s a fantastic alternative event and it’s great news for Ceredigion’s cycling enthusiasts who won’t miss out on an opportunity to watch professional and top amateur riders compete in Aberystwyth again this year. The Ceredigion Grand Prix and the other Aberystwyth CycleFest events will all contribute to ensuring that Ceredigion is recognised as an important regional and national centre for cycling activity.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The event will host no less than 15 races between 1:30pm and 9pm on Friday 26 May 2017. The popular children’s races form a major part of the day’s activities, open to any child living in Ceredigion. More information about registering will be sent to all Ceredigion schools shortly. Other races will include the a fancy dress challenge, a beginner adult race, a new Cat 3/4 race for those wishing to move to the next level, and finally the Elite Women’s and Men’s races at the end of the evening. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Registration is now open and anyone wishing to register should do so via the online system, which is fully insured and regulated by British Cycling. Please visit: www.abercyclefest.com ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​