ABERGAVENNY and surrounding towns and villages will play host to a major international cycling event this year when 15,000 cyclists ride past some of the county's most iconic landmarks as part of the inaugural Velothon Wales.

With just 100 days to go, organisers of Velothon Wales have confirmed the exact details of the two completely closed road routes that will take riders on an unforgettable journey through South Wales on Sunday June 14.

The televised event is set to become one of the biggest dates in the Welsh sporting calendar, with a 140km route and a shorter 50km route giving cyclists a chance to experience a truly safe cycling experience on traffic free roads.

There will also be a UCI sanctioned professional race taking place after the amateur event, which will see many of the world's best riders taking on the very same route. Added loops of The Tumble and Caerphilly Mountain will take their full distance up to 194km.

Starting in Cardiff city centre, the route will take riders out of the capital via the docks and into Newport and Caerleon.

Cyclists will enjoy an exhilarating ride into Usk before passing through Little Mill and joining the A4042 to Llanfoist where the route signposts riders towards Abergavenny and onto the legendary 6km Tumble climb.

The route then winds through the Unesco World Heritage Site at Blaenavon with a downhill stretch down through Pontypool. Cyclists will be taken through some of the area's best landmarks as well as Ystrad Mynach and Caerphilly town centre before making their way back to Cardiff city centre to cross the finishing line.

Velothon Wales' event director Andrew Taylor said, "We are well and truly on the countdown to what promises to be biggest and most exciting cycling event that Wales has ever seen.

"Demand for the ride has been phenomenal, highlighted by the fact we sold well over 12,000 general entries in under six weeks. With thousands of cyclists travelling from outside Wales, many of whom have come from countries in mainland Europe and even further afield, it is becoming clear that Wales is a true bucket list destination for cyclists the world over."

Velothon Wales has released an interactive route map for those taking part in the event which includes in-depth video footage of the full 140km and 50km route, a guide to the route highlights, and images of the main landmarks along the way.

The Velothon Wales website will also feature more detail on the road closures and traffic diversions that will be in place on the day.

Andrew continued, "We're pleased to be announcing the exact details of the route, so that local residents can plan their day in accordance with the road closures months in advance of the event. We very much hope residents from the towns and villages along the route get behind Velothon Wales and cheer on the riders as they pass through. Many of them will have never visited Wales before, or undertaken a challenge quite like this; it promises to be a really exciting day for everyone involved."

Monmouthshire County Council's Ian Saunders, Head of Tourism Leisure & Culture, said, "After the success and reputation of delivering the British Cycling National Road Race Championships and Tour Of Britain on Monmouthshire roads we are thrilled to be helping to deliver this exciting cycling event again demonstrating our commitment to cycling and inspiring participation."

Welsh Government Minister Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates said, "Velothon is a fantastic opportunity for Wales which will give us yet another platform to show some of our iconic landmarks and scenery against the backdrop of a major sporting event.

"Velothon will further add to Wales' credentials as the host of major cycling events which could also further enhance the rapid growth in cycling as a sport and as a form of active travel in Wales.

"I'm looking forward immensely to taking part in the event in June and the hundred days to go is good incentive to get more training done."

British Cycling's director of cycle sport and membership, Jonny Clay, said, "The appetite for cycling in Wales has never been higher and Velothon Wales looks set to be a spectacular event with 15,000 riders taking on the challenge in June.

"With a UCI sanctioned professional race taking place on the same route as well as televised coverage, the event is bound to entertain thousands of cycling fans this summer - be they participating or spectating."

Welsh Cycling's chief executive officer, Anne Adams-King said, "With 100 days to go until Velothon Wales, we are excited to welcome thousands of cyclists to Wales.

"The route passes by some of Wales' most famous landmarks, and also provides a unique challenge for participants, with the famous climbs of The Tumble and Caerphilly Mountain. We hope the people of Wales will be inspired to get on their bikes and also support those taking on the challenge of Velothon Wales!"