TO celebrate their second year as title sponsor of the Tour de Yorkshire Ride, luxury Italian car brand Maserati is offering all participants a complimentary ‘King of the Mountains’ climb photograph, as well as the opportunity to compare themselves to British ex-pro cyclist and Maserati cycling ambassador David Millar, in the new ‘King of the Mountains’ timed climb.
Millar has set the time to beat on the iconic Côte de Harwood Dale climb that plays host to this year’s King of the Mountains’ climb, on which both the sportive participants and the pro-riders later in the day will be timed.
'King of the Mountains' David Millar. Photo: Alex Whitehead
The Côte de Harwood Dale is a 1.3km climb through picturesque rural North Yorkshire Moors, with an average gradient of 7.4 per cent and a maximum gradient of 16 per cent.
Millar who is one of only two Britons to have worn the leader’s jersey at all three of the Grand Tours, tackled the climb in three minutes 57 seconds.
Maserati will also be offering complimentary ‘King of the Mountains’ climb photography to all 6,000 riders.
Each rider will be photographed at the finish line of the climb and then their image will be edited alongside David Millar with their respective times.
David Millar and Maserati have produced a preview video to provide riders with an insight into what to expect from the Côte de Harwood Dale to ensure you don’t get caught out by the tough climb on the day.
Millar said: “The Côte de Harwood Dale climb is a particularly British climb – it isn’t the sort of climb we experience in continental bike racing and that’s because it’s in ramps.
"It will be a fantastic opportunity to compare yourself to the pro riders, who will set their times on the same climb later that day.
“I’d recommend taking it easy in the early stages and turning a small gear, as there’s a very steep section early on.
"Always have in the back of your mind that the last section is going to be very hard – preserve enough energy to stand up and push it over the finish line, where the clock stops and your picture is taken.
"Let’s see how many of you can beat my time of three minutes 57 seconds. Don’t forget to smile when you cross the finish line.”
The 2016 Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride offers riders the choice of a 40km, 85km, 119km ride routes - all of which take place on the same day and on many of the same roads as the third and final stage of the Tour de Yorkshire Pro race.
The ride will start at Cleveland Way, Scarborough and finish along the picturesque Scarborough seafront on Royal Albert Drive.
To register for the ride on Sunday, May 1 visit www.letour.yorkshire.com/maserati-tour-de-yorkshire-ride
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