It’s all change in the world of 24 hour races. We’ve already had news of Kona becoming title sponsor of Sleepless in the Saddle, but that’s not the half of it. It is, however, a third of it, with Sleepless becoming one leg of the Kona 24 Hour Global Series. Kona’s signed up as title sponsor of the series until 2007 – for 2005 there’ll be three races in the UK, Australia and the US with European legs being added in ’06 and ’07.

One thing that’s not changing is the organiser – we think it’s fair to describe Pat Adams as a legendary race organiser by now, and he’ll be coordinating the series and running the UK event. Last year’s Sleepless in the Saddle was apparently the biggest 24 hour race in the world, so the new series has plenty to live up to.

“I love what I do and Kona just seems so in tune with why I do it,” said Pat. “Kona will provide a platform for cyclists to go out and find what they have inside their soul and their body.”

Expect the same emphasis on fun and accessibility that’s made Mountain Mayhem and Sleepless in the Saddle so popular to pervade the new series. It’s Trentham Gardens on 13/14 August for Event One, followed by Snow Mountain Range, Denver, Colorado on 10/11 September and Redesdale, Victoria, Australia on 3/4 December. Running alongside the series is the G24 Global Championship, awarded to solo riders at one of the races each year. It’ll be the US race next year, Australia in 2006 and the UK in 2007.

Keep half an eye on www.konaworld.co.uk for updates.