THE organisers of Velo Birmingham have branded the brand new 100-mile cycle challenge a big success which has the “potential to be one of the world’s most iconic cycling events”.

Some 15,000 cyclists from across the country took to the streets yesterday (Sunday September 24) for the first-ever Velo Birmingham sportive which started and finished in the city but took riders on a picturesque course through the Black Country, South Staffordshire and Worcestershire.

A raft of concerns were raised ahead of the event about how people, especially carers and those visiting elderly and vulnerable relatives, would get around the many road closures across the region.

But many residents across Stourbridge, Halesowen and villages including Clent, Belbroughton and Kinver turned out in good numbers to cheer on those taking part – many of whom were raising money for charities.

The organisers say the event’s four gold charities – Cure Leukaemia, Alzheimer’s Society, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Charity Birmingham and NSPCC – along with many other good causes will receive an estimated £2 million raised by cyclists taking part on their behalf.

England Rugby World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson was among the thousands of people taking part in the event.

The sporting legend, who took on the role of ride ambassador, took part in the Business 100 challenge, which saw over 100 companies take part in the event in teams of four and which is expected to help raise more than £100,000 for good causes.

He described the event as “a really good British ride” and he said: “It was always up or down, so it was a tough course. The last 25 miles was hard, so it was a real achievement for everyone riding.”

He said it was a “real privilege to ride closed roads, with no cars” and he added: "There were also a lot of people out on the course. Going through some of the towns, there were thousands of people out cheering on the cyclists.

“It was quite a community event, lots of people out, sitting on their lawn chairs with a cup of tea or whatever, cheering you on, so it was really good.”

Former England, Wolves and Crystal Palace footballer, blood cancer survivor and Cure Leukaemia patron Geoff Thomas was also among those taking part.

Geoff cycled the 3 Tours Challenge this summer and Vélo Birmingham was the final leg of his cycling exploits in 2017.

Cure Leukaemia had a team of 600 taking on the challenge and all funds raised from riders will go towards the charity’s £1 million appeal to expand the Centre for Clinical Haematology at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Jon Ridgeon, executive chairman of CSM Active, organisers of Vélo Birmingham, said: “Our riders have raised around £2 million for both local and national charities which is an incredible achievement and of course we thank them for their heroic efforts.

“Vélo Birmingham will return next year and we have no doubt that it will be even more exceptional than the inaugural edition.

“This event has the potential to be one of the world’s most iconic cycling events, a stalwart event in the British sporting calendar and a fantastic shop window for the Midlands and we look forward to working with our local authority partners to help make this vision a reality.”

He described the event as “truly unforgettable” and said: “It was incredible to witness communities right along the route embrace the event and cheer on the thousands of riders who were taking on this epic challenge.”

Did you enjoy the event?