Sandringham to host national cycling championship event
Some of the biggest names in sport could be heading to West Norfolk this summer to compete in the UK national road cycling championships.
Organisers have this afternoon announced that the time trial events will start and finish on the royal estate at Sandringham.
And Holkham Hall will be among the landmarks that riders will pass during the road races which will follow.
The championships will form part of the Great British Cycling Festival which will take place in the county in late June.
Andrew Jamieson, Norfolk County Council's walking and cycling champion, said: “The Championships will attract a huge number of visitors to Norfolk over the summer bringing revenue for local businesses and introduce thousands of new people to this beautiful county.
The time trial events will take place on Thursday, June 27 and pass through villages including Fring, Bircham, Docking and Dersingham on their route.
The road races, which will start and finish in Norwich, follow on Sunday, June 30, alongside a public ride which will start after the championship races.
Past winners include Laura Kenny, Mark Cavendish, Lizzie Deignan and Geraint Thomas, who won the time trial competition last year, just weeks before winning the Tour de France.
Jonathan Rigby, from British Cycling, said: “We have worked closely with Golazo, Norfolk County Council, Norwich City Council and Active Norfolk to ensure that we have routes which provide the very best experience for riders and spectators, and we’re very confident that this year’s HSBC UK National Road Championships will showcase the county and our sport in a fantastic way.”
Mr Jamieson added: “It is also hoped that the Great British Festival of Cycling will inspire a generation of new cyclists.
"Watching elite sportsmen and women cycling through our beautiful city and countryside and having the opportunity to take part in community events or the 100-mile sportive itself can’t help but encourage people to try it for themselves and start cycling on a regular basis. It’s a win-win for our region at all levels.”
