Classic Moor race moved to avoid Ten Tors clash
Next year's third edition of the Classic has been switched from mid-May to Sunday, June 28, to avoid a clash with the Ten Tors Expedition.
The 100-mile and 100-kilometre routes have also been modified to give the 1,500 riders an improved mix of sweat and spectacle.
And the whole day has been registered on the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) calendar.
The organisers want the sport's ruling body to inspect the event with a view to being given 'Gold Bike' status.
It is awarded to only a select group of sportives such as France's Etape Du Tour, which annually follows a classic mountain stage of the Tour de France.
Promoter Ron Keegan explained: "The date has been changed to fit in with the wishes of the police, the emergency services and the Dartmoor National Park Authority.
"When we first held the Classic in 2007, the weather was so bad that the Ten Tors Expedition had to be called off, but this year both events went ahead (May 11).
"The authorities were concerned about what might happen if there was an incident in both events at the same time.
"We looked hard and long at alternative dates.
"June 28 doesn't seem to be challenged by any other major sportives in the UK.
"And, being six weeks later, it will give novice and first-time riders more time to prepare at a better time of the year."
The Classic's organisers, the Mid-Devon CC/Colin Lewis Cycles, plan to turn the 2009 event into a weekend of cycling action.
The start/finish 'village' will be bigger and better at the Abbrook Park Sports and Social Club, Kingsteignton.
And the night before the Classic there will be a 'Criterium' race around a short circuit near the HQ.
But the important part of the big day is still the hard work.
Both routes will head out from Kingsteignton to Bovey Tracey, Manaton and then cross the moor to Ashburton, Holne, Two Bridges and Princetown.
The 100K route will then return via Postbridge, Moretonhampstead, over the final big climb to Doccombe and Dunsford and back down the Teign Valley to the finish.
The 100M riders will continue on from Princetown around a loop to Horrabridge, Tavistock, Chillaton, Lydford and Mary Tavy before returning home via the same route as the 100K ride.
On the shorter route there will be 7,000 feet of ascents, but on the longer course riders will face more than 11,000 feet of climbing!
The event is now open for entries, via the website www.dartmoorclassic.co.uk
