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University’s brightest stars launch YuCycle 2016 challenge

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Posted on Friday 15 January 2016

Promising University of York athletes Alastair Hepworth and Bethan Richards joined Ashley Marsh, student cycle club president, at the launch of this year’s YuCycle challenge.

YuCycle is a community and University challenge cycle event based at the York Sport Village, which this year is taking place on Sunday 5 June .

Now in its fourth year, the event is firmly integrated into the Yorkshire cycling calendar.

In addition to the sportive road rides, YuCycle will, for the first time, include a mini cycling celebration with activities for all the family, including bike and velodrome taster sessions, cycling maintenance advice and health check.

A part of each rider entry fee will benefit the York Sport Union Performance Programme with riders encouraged to raise sponsorship for this and other charitable causes.

The funding will promote excellence and help attract talented athletes to the University – enhancing York’s status as a top sporting University.

Last month a grant from alumni and friends of £10,000 kick started this year’s funding for the Programme, which offers financial, physical and psychological support to the University’s high performance athletes and clubs.

 Andrew Johnstone, the University’s cycle development manager said:  “This is the time of year when many people are looking for a challenge that will help them improve their fitness and lifestyles.”

“YuCycle has three fully supported routes suitable for everyone from novice riders to experienced cyclists, ranging from 25km to 100k, and routes for the family.

“The top class cycling facilities at the York Sports Village provide fantastic opportunities to prepare, from novices wishing to gain confidence to ride on the road, to experienced riders wishing to improve their performance.”

Further information

  • Register at  www.yorkspace.net/yucycle
  • YuCycle is a cross University collaboration involving: University of York’s Cycle Club (UYCC) York Sport Union, YUSU, York Sport Village Cycle Development team, the University’s Travel team and the University of York’s Development Office.
  • Bethan Richards is an international waterpolo competitor for GB in second international tournaments
  • Alastair Hepworth is an U23 cyclist from Huddersfield and is in his last year as a student at the University of York, studying Electronic and Computer Engineering.  He is a 1st category rider and hoping to target UK Premier Calendar series and Elite Criterium series in 2016. He is aiming towards racing full time after university with a view to becoming a professional cyclist within the next five years.

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