THE Abergavenny Festival of Cycling will feature two new routes for the Iron Mountain Sportif centrepiece on Saturday, August 8, to include riders of all abilities.

Riders from the most competitive to the most leisurely have been accommodated in the new format that now also includes a women's only event.

And, for the first time, riders can tackle the famous Tumble-Iron Mountain without having to ride 50 miles beforehand to reach the base of the big climb.

The festival is now in its' eighth year since it was revived by organiser Bill Owen, and this year's event will be bigger than ever.

The original Sportif rides of 20 miles from Abergavenny to Llancayo near Usk and back, 50 miles around the countryside of Monmouthshire and the full 100-mile circuit, which takes in the Iron Mountain and the Brecon Beacons, continue to be in the programme.

But now there are two new courses – a 50-mile circuit that takes in the second half of the 100-mile route – and the Festival Women's Sportif.

The latter will see riders start in Usk go through to Monmouth and then meander back to Abergavenny on a 40-mile journey.

Owen said: "These extra routes add new dimensions to the day. The Iron Mountain 50 means the big climb up the Tumble mountain now comes soon after leaving the start.

"And the women's ride has been introduced this year after the success of the 2014 Women's Championship Sportif, which was part of the National Championships weekend last year."

The original Iron Mountain 100, which sees riders taken on both of the 50-mile routes back-to-back, continues to be a big draw for competitive club cyclists from all over the country.

After the Championship Sportif took the route of the 2014 National Road Race back in June, the course this year reverts to that taken by Tour de France-winning stars like Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome when they rode the 2009 National Road Race around Monmouthshire.

The Monmouthshire 50 takes riders from Abergavenny to Usk and Monmouth before returning to Bailey Park, while the leisure ride, ideal for families and riders new to cycling, follows the same route to Llancayo before turning left for a small climb to the main A40 road before returning to Bailey Park.

Owen added: "We are expecting another great Sportif day in Monmouthshire and, with the introduction of the new routes, there is a challenge for everyone."

The festival gets underway on Monday, August 3, and ends on Sunday, August 9, with the Grand Prix of Wales race.

For further information about the Iron Mountain Sportif and to enter any of the rides, visit abergavennyfestivalofcycling.co.uk.