Go-Ride Tour will cement lasting cycling legacy, says British Cycling

In celebration of the Tour de France visiting the UK in July, British Cycling’s youth development programme, Go-Ride, is hosting a series of racing events to ensure a lasting legacy from the Grand Depart. Go Ride is sponsored by the Bicycle Association via the Bike Hub levy fund.

Go-Ride Clubs across the country will be holding entry-level races throughout the month of July, as part of the Go-Ride Tour. Open to any young people under the age of 16, the races provide an opportunity for riders who have been inspired by this summer’s cycling events to try their first bike race.

At Go-Ride Tour events, young riders will have the chance to don their first race numbers and take part in a number of racing sequences, with the best performances winning medals and t-shirts in the colours of the Tour de France jerseys – white, green, yellow and polka dot.

British Cycling’s director of coaching, education and development, John Mills, said: “We have a fantastic summer of cycling ahead of us and we want to provide an opportunity for young riders to emulate their cycling heroes and experience the thrill of racing.

“We look forward to welcoming lots of new riders to the Go-Ride Tour, which will undoubtedly be a highlight of the year for the Go-Ride programme. These racing events are developing the next generation of bike racers, so you never know, we might also find another Laura Trott or Chris Froome!”

Over 60 per cent of riders on the Great Britain Cycling Team have progressed from Go-Ride Clubs.

Double Olympic champion, Laura Trott, who first started cycling at Welwyn Wheelers Go-Ride Club, said: “It’s unbelievable to hear about all the young people inspired to get into cycling after watching events on the world stage. It’s going to be a really exciting summer for racing and it’s fantastic that kids will have the chance to be part of it at their local Go-Ride Clubs.”

The Go-Ride Tour is an extension of British Cycling’s youth competition programme, Go-Ride Racing, which is a calendar of entry-level, local racing events that help young riders to make the transition from school or club coaching sessions into inter club and open regional competition. All Go-Ride Tour races will take place in traffic-free environments, such as playgrounds, fields and cycling facilities, and will be run by British Cycling trained coaches.

Go-Ride is British Cycling’s development programme for young people, providing a fun and safe way to experience the world of cycle sport. There are 300 Go-Ride clubs in communities across the country, where young people are able to sample the various cycle sport disciplines.