Bike Blenheim Palace: 18-19 August 2012
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After the amazing performance of Team GB in the cycle events at London 2012 it’s time to celebrate cycling in Great Britain! There is just one week to go before Blenheim Palace opens its World Heritage Site Park for a 5th time for Bike Blenheim Palace – A Festival of Cycling. It’s not too late to register for the Sportives and Pink Ribbonride, or just come along on the day and enjoy the festival.
Nine cyclists from the GB Para Cycling team who are taking part in the London 2012 Paralympics in August have registered to take part in the 20km Time Trial at Bike Blenheim Palace as a warm up to the Paralympics. On Saturday 18th August the GB team will go up against the Australian Para Cycle team who have confirmed 6 cyclists, promising a thrilling spectacle for the event at Bike Blenheim Palace.
GB Paralympic and World Champion Sarah Storey won fastest female at Bike Blenheim Palace in 2011 in 28.29minutes. This year Storey will be joined by David Stone, Jon Allan Butterworth, Lora Turnham, Mark Colbourne, Shaun McKeown, Rachel Morris, Karen Darke and Crystal Lane. The Australian team will include Jayme Paris, Simone Kennedy, Alexandra Green, Susan Powell, David Nicholas, and Michael Gallagher.
UK Time Trial Champion and three time winner at Bike Blenheim Palace will return to defend his title in 2012, along with Bronwen Ewing, current Ladies 24hr Time Trial Champion, and European Junior Time Trial Champion Joe Perrett.
Bike Blenheim Palace is the UK’s most unique and exciting ‘Festival of Cycling’, held annually since 2008 in the magnificent grounds of Blenheim Palace, a location unrivalled anywhere in Britain. The Time Trial takes place on the undulating traffic-free roads of Blenheim Park, appealing to both professional cyclists and novices.
Sarah Storey commented after the 2011 event: "Bike Blenheim Palace is a superb day out for the whole family and there really is something for everyone at the event. I loved riding the Time Trial event and having closed roads and such a big field made for exciting competition. It's the perfect place to start racing and for the seasoned racers a real privilege to have a traffic free course!"
Bike Blenheim Palace will take place on 18th - 19th August 2012, expanding to two days to encompass new races, activities and cycling disciplines. Bike Blenheim Palace has something for everyone from the competitive cycling fanatic to families looking for somewhere safe to ride their bikes in beautiful surroundings:
Saturday 18th August:
• A new 40km off-road Sportive through Blenheim Park and the surrounding byways.
• A tough 20km Time Trial all on the closed roads of Blenheim Park
• Family rides in a beautiful and safe car free environment
• Bike Polo Tournament
• Cycle skills for children
• Great range of exhibitors from the cycle and cycle friendly industries
Sunday 19th August:
• A 60 and 100 mile Sportive through the Cotswold's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• The staging of the Brompton World Championship 2012
• The new Brompton Marathon and Sprint races
• Breast Cancer Care's 26.2 mile Pink Ribbonride
• Family rides in a beautiful and safe car free environment
• Cycle skills for children
• Great range of exhibitors from the cycle and cycle friendly industries
Both days will include new cycling demonstrations and exhibits in the Event Village. The Event Village is the hub of the event with most races starting in finishing close by, food and refreshments are available. 2012 will see a significantly bigger Event Village with many of the world's best cycling brands and products available to view and try out. The Animal Bike Tour will be one of the star attractions as well as a cycling cafe and Kiddimoto Champs for under 5s. Exibitors include Scott, Mavic, Schwalbe, Enigma Titanium, Rotor, Adidas, Magura, Cinelli, Campagnolo, Juice Lubes ad many more.
Breast Cancer Care is the official charity for Bike Blenheim Palace in 2012 providing the opportunity to raise money for an amazing cause while getting fit. Get on your bike for Breast Cancer Care and support the 50,000 people diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK.
