News: Lead Cycle Tour (LCT) Euro Cup

Cardiff-based Leading Sports and Media announced the 2019 Lead Cycle Tour (LCT) Euro Cup series of road cycling races this week.

News: Lead Cycle Tour (LCT) Euro Cup

Cardiff-based Leading Sports and Media announced the 2019 Lead Cycle Tour (LCT) Euro Cup series of road cycling races this week. The series will combine 12 existing professional races, 16 race days, across Europe into one series which will finish in a grand finale event at the end of the European cycling season.

The LCT Euro Cup starts in January and proceeds through until October. The objective is to provide fans with a year long series, that they could follow on TV and online, watching the best riders compete across the season. Each race will have a points system for the first 20 riders of each race with a prize pot being distributed at the end of the season. The rider with the most points will be presented as the series champion at an event in Cardiff every October.

Throughout 2019 and 2020 the LCT will be developing its mass participation events for the general public. LCT Mass participation events already exist on the back of certain races, LCT’s plan is to push the concept further by launching the Grand Fondo LCT Series where amateur cyclists will use the same routes as professional cyclists which will allow them to experience the thrill of competition. By combining each race with a Grand Fondo event, the LCT will give the opportunity for over 50 000 riders to experience the thrill of the races.

The LCT intends to combine traditional sponsorship with advanced digital operations and direct selling opportunities to get the best return for sponsors and race organisers alike for all these events.

Leading Sports Head of Media and LCT Press Officer, Stuart Pickering commented: “In today’s economic climate many races across Europe have been suffering to maintain sufficient levels of sponsorship and events are under threat. By combining these races into one platform it brings a far greater and more attractive proposition to sponsors and will help to fund and provide more sustained longevity for these races, some which have been around for many, many years”.

“The race organizers will continue their excellent work running the events while we market them in the most cost-effective way possible. 2019 is our launch season and we are looking to increase the number of events in the LCT further this year. More races will be added to the roster with an expansion of the UK leg of the cup in 2020, with the inclusion of a grand finale event to crown the series champion.”

The full list of LCT events includes some of the most iconic and historic European events.

Playa de Palma Challenge – Ciclista Mallorca (Spain) – 31 Jan, 4 Feb
Volta Limburg Classic (Netherlands) – 6 Apr
Rutland – Melton International CiCLE Classic (UK) – 28 April
Lincoln Grand Prix (UK) – 12 May
Gran Premio Città di Lugano (Switzerland) – 9 Jun
VOO-Tour de Wallonie (Belgium) – 27,31 July
Circuito de Getxo – Memorial Ricardo Otxoa (Spain) – 31 July
Grote Prijs Stad Zottegem (Belgium) – 20 Aug
Grand Prix de Wallonie (Belgium) – 18 Sep