Following the huge success of the inaugural event last year, the Wightlink-Island Renewables IOW Cycle Road Race is returning in 2024. Taking place on Sunday 19th May 2024, the race will get started at 13:00 and spectators are encouraged to head out to the Military Road to cheer on the riders, who they’ll see go by throughout 3 the laps. The approximately 90km course, comprised of 3 27km laps of the Military Road circuit, is planned to start from the race HQ at West Wight Sports and Community Centre. From there, the peloton will proceed to Brook, where the race begins. The laps pass through Brook, along with Military Road to Chale, and back inland through Shorwell and Brighstone. On the third and final lap, the race heads onto the Middle Road to its western end in a final 8km loop that ends with a gruelling uphill finish at the top of the first ascent out of Freshwater Bay. Organiser of the event, Julie Cooper has said:
“We were blown away by the success of our inaugural road race last year and are really excited about doing it all again in May. “We really couldn’t do this without the support of the event sponsors, especially Wightlink, who supply prizes and help make it happen by providing ferry concessions for mainland riders and officials travelling to the Island, and the hoards of volunteers who give up their time to help out on the day. “The Isle of Wight boasts some of the best roads in the South of England so we’re hoping for another full field and a great afternoon of racing.”
Spectators? Nobody gives a single aviating fornication! Only the disruption and inconvenience it will cause.
Fantastic news and less cars on the road, win win.
Keep cyclists off the road, the Islands roads are not safe for cyclists,
they cycle side by side holding each others hands.
It is not fair to paying motorists who pay to be on the road.
Until the Island have cycle lanes around the island
the cyclists should stick to cycling around cycle tracks.
They needn’t bother MAMIL’S
Good luck with the pot holes and poor road surfaces, and if travelling with Wightlink Travel a day earlier to avoid a cancellation.. better get StMary’s A&E on Standby – ready and book ambulances now ..
““The Isle of Wight boasts some of the best roads in the South of England” says the “Organiser”. Poor eyesight as well as being a nuisance to residents. Cheer them on? Cheer when they leave!
It would be interesting to know if this event actually brings anything positive to the Island? I think we’d need an unbiased source on that, i.e. not the Council or the organisers.
How many spectators are going to come across from the mainland, stay here and spend money? Yes, cyclists on the Island will undoubtably turn up to watch, but what revenue does it bring?
Obviously those competing will come across here, but I’m going to guess that most will return to the mainland the same day, and it will only be the ferry companies who benefit. I may be totally wrong, but I really can’t see this as a major event to draw tourists here.
Does anyone have any independent, unbiased facts and figures about attendances etc?
They ride in pairs shouting arrogantly at each other, coming up to a roundabout & holding all the traffic up, totally unaware of night workers trying to sleep, entitled people.