Tour de Manc 2019

Set to be the toughest route yet, the Tour de Manc returns for 2019 offering the ultimate challenge for keen cyclists. Cyclists can sign up to travel 100 miles around Greater Manchester and locally through Newhey, Milnrow and Rochdale on Sunday 5 May.

A proper grand departure, rolling out from David Lloyd Manchester North Club, riders will be treated to a nice flat section past Heaton Park, travelling through Salford, Old Trafford, Chorlton to Stockport.

Past Stockport the course begins to rise with bittersweet but unforgiving Werneth Low providing the perfect setting for the King or Queen of the Mountain competition.

From here, the route travels through Tameside, heading to Saddleworth and through Uppermill, where rumour has it, riders will be served show-stopping scones. Past here, several testy climbs stand in the way as the ride passes Newhey and Milnrow, before passing through Rochdale.

One for the fearless, the climbs continue up Owd Betts, then up to Holcombe before a very tough climbing route and closed road section to Belmont. From here, a Rivington climb leads you into Wigan and back via a handful of climbs North of Bolton. It's not over yet as you better get those legs at the ready and throw all the grit you have with Heap Bridge climb to tackle just a few miles from the finish.

An epic ride all about blood, sweat and tears, the Tour de Manc isn’t just about the fastest rider. Tour de Manc will issue on the spot prizes to riders who showcase grit and determination.

From lone to group participation, Tour de Manc once again puts on a race that does Greater Manchester proud, allowing riders to experience this epic part of the world.

Tour de Manc is a charitable sportive, run 100% by volunteers, using cycling as a force for good in Greater Manchester, raising significant funds for registered charities.

For 2019, Tour de Manc has chosen Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Booth Centre, a Greater Manchester charity providing a day centre for the homeless and HaTS, an independent charity which supports the patients and the families of the Haematology and Transplant unit located in The Christie Hospital in Manchester as its lead charities.

Riders will also have the opportunity to ride for charities of their choice, seeing peddle power generate funds that can really make a difference.

Register for Tour de Manc:

• www.tourdemanc.co.uk

View our photo gallery from last year’s Tour de Manc as it passed through Rochdale:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/4/sport-news/118584/cycling-tour-de-manc-passes-through-rochdale