Professional cycle racing comes to The Old Town
The third round of Britain’s premier cycle race series, The Pearl Izumi Tour, will be hitting the streets of Edinburgh’s old town on Thursday night as at least six of the UK’s top professional cycling teams (of five riders each) will be in action racing around a closed-road circuit in the heart of the Scottish capital.
The teams include defending Champions Madison Genesis, alongside JLT Condor presented by Mavic, NFTO, Pedal Heaven, Team Raleigh GAC and Team WIGGINS (Sir Bradley himself is currently racing overseas).
The fast, furious and tactical race will be staged on a new and extremely challenging 1.6-kilometre circuit that includes cobbles, hairpin bends and a gruelling hill climb. The 500 metre cobbled climb up Victoria Street was used when the series last came to the city in 2014. However in 2016 riders will turn left at the top of the street to take in the Lawnmarket and Johnston Terrace below Edinburgh Castle, before returning to the Grassmarket via West Port.
This free to attend event, where cycling fans are encouraged to line the entire route and cheer on their favourite riders, is supported by the City of Edinburgh Council. The race will commence at 19.30 with support races and an open sprint hill climb from 16.00.
The teams will tear round the circuit for a lung busting and energy sapping 60 minutes and five laps, offering some close, tactical and very spectator friendly racing. The overall winner and the team with the lowest cumulative times will be crowned the Edinburgh champions at a podium ceremony at 20.45. Series leaders will also be announced.
Highlights of the Edinburgh event will be shown on ITV4 on the evening of Friday 20 May and will be available via catch-up services with the ITV Player.
In addition to the main race Edinburgh will also host a corporate Pro-Am relay, sponsored by Brother UK, and other support events including an open hill climb up Victoria Street and an amateur club race that will give aspiring local club riders the chance to race on the same course as the pro-teams. Full details below.
There will be a small promo event village in the Grassmarket with leading cycle brands, cycling organisations and cycling events exhibiting.
The action packed event, centred around the Grassmarket, Edinburgh Castle and West Bow, is brought to the capital city by Sweetspot, EventScotland and the City of Edinburgh Council.
Where
All events will be based at Edinburgh’s Grassmarket. A map of the circuit can be viewed here: http://thetour.co.uk/files/documents/TS2016_RaceManual_Edinburgh_v1.pdf
When
16.00 – 17.00 – The Grassmarket Scramble – An open sprint hill climb time trial
17.00 – 17.50 – Edinburgh RC Tour Series Support Race – A closed circuit club rider road race on the 1.6km closed circuit
18.00 – The Brother Corporate Grand Prix – A corporate Pro-Am relay where 10 teams of five riders, each joined by a professional cyclist, take on the Edinburgh circuit in a battle of Scottish businesses and Tour Series partners
19.30 – Pearl Izumi Tour Series stage race starts
20.30 – 5 laps to go bell is rung
20.45 – Approximate race finish
21.00 – Podium presentation
