Gran Fondo in lieu of Cyclefest

Summer plans announced

Further to the announcement there would not be an Isle of Man Cyclefest festival at Milntown this spring, organisers have revealed plans to run a Gran Fondo and other challenges in the summer.

It'll be held on Sunday, 21 July, with the start and finish in Mooragh Park in Ramsey.

The Gran Fondo over 85 miles will take in much of the Cyclefest route including the torturous climbs of Druidale, the Round Table and Injebreck.

There's the addition of a 2.5 mile section at the Ballaugh Curraghs, which is being titled the "Hell of the North".

There will also be medium, family and mini events.

The medium route is 40 miles long and follows the Gran Fondo to the top of Druidale before branching off to the Bungalow and back to Ramsey via Tholt-y-Will.

The family option is based in the northern plains and offers a shorter and flatter course of 20 miles.

The mini one or Minisculo Fondo is be held over a half-mile circuit in and around Mooragh Park, with participants able to complete as many laps as they want to in one hour.

There will also be a riders village at the start/finish area with a range of food and drink options, plus a big screen showing coverage of stage 15 of the Tour de France.

Entries for the Gran Fondo open on Friday, 25 January.