NFTO back new cycling events coming to Herefordshire in September

Hereford-based outdoor clothing manufacturer and cycling team sponsor NFTO are backing a new  National B-ranked road race and mass participation ride that will take place in the area later this year.

The Cotswold Hereford BMW Herefordshire Festival of Sport, which will take place over the weekend of September 19 and 20, has added a day of cycling events to run alongside its existing running activities for 2015.

Its two-wheel programme (September 19) includes the Ride Herefordshire sportive that offers the choice of a Mini Sportive aimed at families, as well as 40km, 90km and 161km routes across the stunning Golden Valley region.

Parts of these courses will feature in the festival’s showcase event, the Hitter Road Race, a brand new E/1/2/3 event. Organised by the NFTO Race Club, it is hoped the race becomes a regular on the British Cycling calendar.

“Being part of both the local and national cycling scene, we are in a rare position to be able to attract a top sporting event to the county,” said NFTO founder John Wood. “It’s unheard of to have a local club organise a race of this scale and we’re extremely lucky to be working with a group of partners and people without whom it would not be possible

“With an unprecedented amount of prize money on board and with top 10 places receiving a reward, organisers believe the competition will be tight. Designed to attract the best domestic teams and possibly some big international riders, the race will certainly be ‘not for the ordinary’.”

The sportive has been organised in partnership with Mind Herefordshire, the mental health charity, and Fit & Healthy, as part of a “Thumbs Up For Wellbeing” campaign.

For more information, visit www.herefordshirefestivalofsport.co.uk.