The Dartmoor Classic is going to be a scorcher!

‘Drink lots, before you get thirsty!’ – that’s the message to 2,000 riders with temperatures forecast to top 25C for Sunday’s 17th Dartmoor Classic cycle marathon.

This year’s Classic, again based at Newton Abbot Racecourse, will be the biggest for several years, thanks to a range of new features, course changes and offers.

“We’re about 25% up on entries, which is very encouraging,” says Paul Martin, secretary of organisers Mid-Devon CC.

“Sunday is looking like it might be the hottest day of the week.

“So although we’ll have plenty of our usual support around the courses, everyone should remember to drink lots – and don’t wait until after you get thirsty.”

The Classic is renowned as one of the toughest ‘sportives’ in the UK, but it always attracts an international field, led this year by ‘guest’ former Grand Tour stage winning pro Nicolas Roche.

Starting from before 7am, the riders will tackle one of three routes – Grande (107mls), Medio (67) or Piccolo (46), which also includes a category for E-bike riders.

The whole field will take on the iconic climb from Bovey Tracey to Haytor this year, as well as a new timed Hill Climb Challenge past Headland Warren and the mediaeval settlement of Grimspound.

Martin reported: “We’ll have a hundred club members and volunteers around the courses, on the Moor manning the feed stations and the many marshalling points, plus another 50 back at the start-finish village at the racecourse.

“All sorts of organisations help us and benefit from the Classic, including Dartmoor Search & Rescue, the National Park and many other causes through sponsorship.

“We’re looking forward to another great day.”