2013 Beauty & The Beast Sportive

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Posted Friday 16th November 2012

The Exmoor Beauty and The Exmoor Beast are on the move and, next year, both will have a new home. Minehaed, has provided the start and finish venue for ‘The Beast’ since 2009 and the inaugural ‘Beauty’ was based there in April this year. It is now envisaged that the planned transfer to Tiverton will deliver a number of logistical benefits which will appeal to a greater number of participants. “While we’ve been very happy at Butlins for the past four years, now switching to Tiverton looks like a very attractive alternative for both of MIG’s sportives.” says Marcus DiVincenzo, the Exeter based, event company’s Managing Director. “Most importantly, the move 30 miles south will bring the events much closer to the greatest number of the events’ participants. And, given that the distance saved is all on single track roads, it should knock nearly an hour off the previous journey time from the M5 motorway. Clearly, that will also impact on fuel consumption which will benefit the riders’ pockets. If you count in the original journey both ways and multiply it by the number of vehicles, that’s one hell of a saving and far less damaging to the environment. The new location will also present the events with fresh route options with much gentler opening and closing sections along the Exe Valley. However, the notorious climb of Dunkery Beacon will remain on ‘The Beast’s’ itinerary and the vast majority of all the routes we finally decide on will be within the Exmoor National Park.” added Divincenzo.

The move will allow ‘The Beauty’ to have a complete makeover. “Many riders thought this year’s route was a bit too long and a little too demanding for an early season sportive. Next time we will truly embrace our original concept, which is to present a ride which showcases much of Exmoor’s beauty without sending the climbing statistics off the scale. The intention is that ‘The Beauty’ should deliver exactly ‘what it says on the tin’ and be a lovely day out on the bike with no pressure to perform. The distance will be close to 100k (62m) with minimal exposure to the really high moor. It should be a cracking warm up event for the bigger challenges later in the season.” said Divincenzo.

Next year’s Exmoor Beauty will be held on Sunday 21st April, with ‘TheBeast’ being staged on Sunday 20th October – a week earlier than before. On-line entry for both events opens at 9: a.m. on Saturday 1st December and there is a saving of £6 if both events are entered together. The exact location of the new venue will be confirmed shortly.