Velothon Wales entries have now gone online with 8,000 places having already been snapped up during the pre-registration priority week.
The sportive event – to be held on 14 June 2015 – will have a capacity of around 10,000, so organisers are urging riders wanting to take on this unique closed-roads sportive to get their entries in quickly.
Velothon Wales’ Race Director Roland Hofer said: “Having worked on Velothon Berlin since its inception in 2009, I am delighted that Velothon Wales is already emulating its success in terms of entry figures.
“It is clear that there is a huge demand throughout Europe for premium, closed road sportive events that also welcome professional riders to take on the very same course. We will work hard to get some of the world’s best riders and teams to compete in the pro race which, combined with the closed road sportive, should make for an unforgettable event.”
Like RideLondon, the sportive will be followed by a UCI professional race, which is expected to be classified as 1:1 – the second highest rank possible for a one-day race.
The pros will use a similar route to that of the amateurs, which begins and ends in Cardiff city centre. The 120km route option (£55) weaves through some of Wales’ most beautiful scenery, while there’s also a 50km (£40) option for less experienced riders wishing to take part.
Cycle Sport and Membership Director for British Cycling, Jonny Clay, said: “At British Cycling we encourage bringing together elite level road racing with mass participation events. This has proved to be a very exciting and successful method for staging major events in recent years and the fact Velothon Wales has already sold over 8,000 entries backs this up. I have no doubt that Velothon Wales will be a memorable event, not only for 2015, but for many years to come.”
Velothon Wales is the newest event in the global UCI Velothon Majors series, which includes Velothon Berlin – one of the world’s biggest cycling events with 14,000 riders, Velothon Vienna and Velothon Philadelphia.
To secure your entry for the inaugural edition of Velothon Wales, visit the Velothon Wales website.