The staging of the 74-mile inaugural Tour de Gwent cycling challenge in aid of St David’s Hospice Care has gained some refreshing support.

Seven cyclists from Gwent brewer Tiny Rebel will take part in the grueling event.

The Newport-based brewer will also provide refreshment, in the form of current Champion Beer of Wales FUBAR – an American-style pale ale.

The testing event, which is being staged on Sunday, March 29, will see riders start from Rougemont School, Newport, and cover a route which takes in places like Usk, Tintern, Monmouth and Chepstow before returning to Newport.

Lead sponsors of the event, staged to help raise funds for St David’s Hospice Care, are Whitehead Building Services, of Newport.

Keen cyclist Tiny Rebel director Bradley Cummings, who is taking part in the event, said: “We’re all into cycling at Tiny Rebel, so we are looking forward to the Tour de Gwent to get out into the great Welsh countryside. Almost our entire workforce is taking part in what promises to be an enjoyable team building exercise for us as well as an awesome day out.”

Bradley, who is looking forward to lining up alongside former Wales rugby greats Rhys Williams and Alix Popham on the day, said he hoped the promise of having Tiny Rebel beer at the end would help spur some riders on to the finish.

Kris Broome, of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “We’re thrilled to have been able to attract such wonderful support from Whitehead Building Services and also Tiny Rebel Brewery. With such great backing and so many people, we hope to have 400 cyclists taking part on the day. It looks as if it will be a really marvelous event.”

Each entrant gets the exclusive event cycling jersey, along with maps and water. There are water and feeding stations throughout the route manned by volunteers.

The circular Tour de Gwent offers cyclists a 74, 36 or 24 mile course starting at Rougemont School, Newport, before heading off, depending on which of the three courses your take, into the Usk Valley and then as far as Chepstow and Monmouth before returning to Rougemont School for a barbeque and live music from Chepstow band illeagle.

Entry fee is £45 per rider.To see the precise routes please visit: www.stadavidshospicecare.org and search for Tour de Gwent on the events page.

For more details contact the Fundraising Department on 01633 851051 or email fundraising@stdavidshospicecare.org