Crowdfunding secures Bristol city centre road race

After hitting an £8,000 funding target via the Crowdfunder website, the Bristol Grand Prix is set to take place on June 20. Further contributions will be put towards promoting safer sustainable transport and healthy competitive sport in the city.

Organised as part of the city’s eco-festival, BIG Green Week, with help from Le Sportif, the initial aim is to make the Bristol Grand Prix a fixture on the UK's elite race schedule. However, the organisers say that the real purpose of the event is to promote a cycling culture that is “diverse, accessible and inclusive for Bristolians at all levels and abilities”.

As well as a ‘Love My Bike’ lap open to the public, six races will take place on a 1.3km city centre course. The current schedule includes an under-18s race, a corporate relay race and four senior categories of races for men and women. Each of the competitive races will feature around 50 riders, including pros and semi-pros as well as licensed amateurs.

Mayor George Ferguson said that getting people cycling was a key aspect of the event.

"Bristol was awarded the European Green Capital award for 2015 because of our determination to become a sustainable city and part of that is getting people into active transport, walking and on their bikes.

“So I am delighted to have the Bristol Grand Prix Cycle ride taking place during BIG Green Week, organised by Bristol people for Bristol people. Please get behind it on June 20. Bring your family down – it will be hugely enjoyable. I will be there on my bike leading the way.”

Although the men’s elite race headlines proceedings in 2015, the organisers plan to alternate between finishing with the men’s and women’s races in future years. This move forms part of their stated aim to raise the profile of women’s sport and the two races will also feature equal prize money.