The Verycool Events Company (organisers of the Tour of Cambridgeshire Gran Fondo and Chrono) are very pleased to announce the UK’s newest fully closed road gran fondo and time trial taking place in Kilmarnock over 24 & 25 September 2016 - the Marmotte Gran Fondo Écosse powered by Braveheart.

The UK’s newest fully closed road cycle event will take place around the stunning East Ayrshire countryside and mimics the successful format of the Tour of Cambridgeshire with a 20km (12.4 mile) Time Trial on Saturday and 137km (85 mile) Gran Fondo on the Sunday. 

Due to the grandeur of the routes, scenery and parcours, the event has been given the prestigious Marmotte title by the organisers of the legendary La Marmotte ride in the French Alps. While it may not have the severity of the Alpine climbs the long route on the Gran Fondo still packs over 1500m (5000ft) of climbing on rolling roads. The event forms part of the Pan European iconic Marmotte series more details of which can be found at http://marmotte.sportcommunication.info/. 

Tom Caldwell from the organisers The Very Cool Events Company Ltd said, “I am delighted to be able bring this iconic brand and event to such a beautiful part of the United Kingdom. The Tour of Cambridgeshire was such a success that it paved the way for us to have this event incorporated within the prestigious Marmotte Gran Fondo Series. I am also delighted to be working with the Braveheart Cycling Fund, helping to raise their profile and raise funds for such an incredible cause supporting young riders in Scotland. I look forward to seeing a fantastic race together with the legions of leisure and charity riders enjoying the beautiful countryside in and around Kilmarnock." 

The Chrono Time Trial on Saturday 24th September will take place on a rolling 20km circuit and will offer riders the opportunity to sample what it’s like to ride like a professional with closed roads, start ramp and electronic timing.  The Chrono is strictly limited to 600 entries and is open to all riders on a first come basis. 

The Gran Fondo on Sunday 25th will be on a challenging 137km route again on closed roads and will also be electronically timed. This is a gran fondo in the true sense with the front a proper race with a substantial prize list while the rear is a non competitive ride. Riders can choose the option of a gridded start according to their race category or can fulfil their own personal challenge of going for a time, riding with friends or merely taking part to raise funds for charity.  Entries are limited and again all riders are welcome on a first come basis.

The event is part of a weekend long festival starting on Friday 23rd with a Tour of 5km Colour run and party around Kay Park in Kilmarnock the event’s headquarters. The entire weekend is powered and supported by the Braveheart Cycling Fund www.braveheartfund.co.uk which does so much to support young Scottish cycling talent. 

This event follows the same format as the Tour of Cambridgeshire all on fully closed roads: 

Friday 23rd September  
Tour of Colour - 5km Colour fun run 

Saturday 24th September  
Chrono – 20km (12.4 mile) rolling course 

Sunday 25th September 
Gran Fondo - 137km (85 mile) challenging course 

The event is open to all whether you are an elite athlete, a leisure rider with a charity fundraiser with a race at the front and leisure ride at the back.

For more information and to enter please visit www.marmotteecosse.com