Pictured: Etape Loch Ness King of The Mountain Stage ©Paul Campbell.
Cycle sportive among the first of its kind to take place following the easing of Covid restrictions
The Etape Loch Ness, cycle sportive around the iconic Loch Ness, will take place on Sunday 22nd August 2021.
The event was postponed three times from April 2020 due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic but has finally been given the go-ahead in-line with Scottish Government guidelines.
The 66-mile (106km) cycle sportive has become a highlight of the cycling calendar, with many participants raising funds for charity, including Etape Loch Ness’ official charity Macmillan Cancer Support.
Malcolm Sutherland, Event Director of Etape Loch Ness, said:
“We all know how difficult the past 18 months have been so we’re over the moon that we are finally able to go ahead with the Etape Loch Ness 2021.
“Of course, this green light does not mean we are complacent, especially as the Etape Loch Ness is one of the first events of its kind to take place in Scotland following the easing of restrictions.
“Despite moving beyond level zero, there will still be Covid mitigations in place and the event will be different to previous years with far fewer spectators.
“However, the anticipation and the enthusiasm both on our part and that of those participating has never been greater.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation in getting to this point.
“The success of the Etape Loch Ness relies on many people and organisations, including The Highland Council and the local communities along the route, as well as a good amount of Highland spirit.
“We should all feel extremely proud to welcome cyclists back to beautiful Loch Ness once again.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland Director of Events, said:
“Scotland is the perfect stage for events, and it is great to see the Etape Loch Ness back.
“Events are an important part of our communities and, along with the hundreds of participants, it’s wonderful to see the event green light.
“EventScotland is delighted to be supporting Etape Loch Ness through Scotland’s Events Recovery Fund and I wish everyone taking part the best of luck.”
Zoe MacDonald, Challenge Events Programme Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, said:
“What a journey it has been to get to this point.
“We’d like to extend a massive thank you to our fundraisers who have continued to support Macmillan Cancer Support over this especially difficult time.
“The Etape Loch Ness is such an important fundraising opportunity for us, raising more than £300,000 in 2019 and a total of £1.28 million since 2014.
“So far, our total for this year is over £47,000, with plenty more expected over the weekend.
“We hope our fundraisers and all those taking part enjoy the event – we’re sure it will be worth the wait!”
To ensure the safety of participants and general public, there will be some temporary traffic restrictions in place from Saturday 21st to Sunday 22nd August 2021.
Full details can be found here.
All participants have been provided with the following Covid Safety Guide and Event Instructions to ensure their safety.
Video guidance for the event has also been created – general event guidance can be viewed here and start procedure can be viewed here.
