Organisers of the 2015 Prudential RideLondon Surrey 100 say next year's event will be the biggest sportive in Europe and the second biggest in the world, with the number of entries likely to be to be around 35,000.
Just 72 hours after registration opened the ballot for the 2015 ride is already halfway to the 100,000 limit.
That larger ballot — up from 80,000 last year — reflects a likely larger field for next year's ride, if this year's post-event debrief shows that to be feasible.
RideLondon spokesperson Alison Hamlett told road.cc: "We are still undertaking the debrief of the 2014 event, but depending on the outcome of that debrief we are looking to take around 35,000 entrants for the 2015 Prudential RideLondon Surrey 100 — which would result in an anticipated start line number of around 28,000.
"This would make it Europe’s largest sportive and the second biggest in the world behind Cape Argus."
That event — South Africa's 109km Cape Argus Pick n Pay Momentum Cycle Tour — boasted 34,500 entries in 2014 and 31,046 finishers.
Take up for the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 has been a bit slower than last year, when the ballot passed 50,000 entries in 24 hours, but still a lot faster than the inaugural event, which took five months to reach 50,000.
Last year's 80,000-place ballot filled up 27 days after opening. This year's will close on January 5, 2015 or earlier if it reaches the 100,000 limit.
Organisers say that more than 20,000 people finished this year's ride, despite the hurricane-generated lousy weather, and conditions event director Hugh Brasher called "biblical" seem to have only slightly deterred people from signing up for next year.
"After conditions that have been aptly described as biblical, we are delighted to see that the enthusiasm of Britain’s cyclists and would-be cyclists to participate in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 has not been dampened," said Brasher.
The entry fee for the ride for 2015 and 2016 has been increased to £58.00 for UK participants.
“We held the entry fee at the same price for two years but the costs of putting on the UK’s biggest sportive means that we need to increase the entry fee by £10.00 this year,” said Brasher.
To enter the ballot go to www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk.
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40 comments
I am not a sportive fan but having ridden the 86 this year I have re-entered for the 100 next year. Closed roads and the crowds cheering you on make it something special
Thanks for posting that. made me happy!
Results here
http://speakthinkblog.speakmedia.co.uk/2014/08/12/ride-london-2014-ranki…
Chapeau.
Did anyone do this for the 2013 event?
I finished in the top 15% and started at 7:05 meaning I spent much of the time overtaking others - obviously I should have started much earlier but my start time was part of a lump allocation. The roads felt crowded at times meaning having to wait for a passing moment so I do wonder what such a big increase in numbers will be like. If the starting order was mostly right then maybe it would be OK but there were quite a few much faster riders than me passing me so there is a problem here and not sure why or how to resolve.
Error
Need to get an age grouping listing, anyone ?
BikeRadar.com produced an alphabetical list for 2013.
Would love an age grouping listing for 2014! Is one available and does it separate men and women? Thanks!
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Arr, some people going faster than you. Arr, some people going slower than you... Oh just F***O**!
Meanwhile, thanks for the links to the results. 6807/16177 men is top 43.1% or top 38.1 including women, beats my top 49% position of all riders last year. Still no where near my top 21% in Great Manchester Cycle this year, plenty to push for next year. An improvement against a mass field on two quite different courses but no hills means I have to put my hat in again, third time lucky?!
On your daily commute, have you ever ridden the wrong way down a dual carriageway or through a town centre with people cheering and clapping you? Have you ever ridden with Marianne Vos or Chris Boardman on your commute? Ever had your luggage transported to work for you while you just get on and ride? Ever had a commute where you've not encountered a single car and not had to stop at a single set of red lights?
No thought not.
Comparing your commute to a closed road Sportive is just daft. If you don't like the sound of it, keep your negative thoughts and whinging to yourself and don't enter the ballot. I doubt very much that the other 34,999 people out enjoying the event will miss you.
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