The course for the 2011 Gore Bike Wear TransWales, powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport, has been announced.

One prologue marathon, seven linking stages, six special stages, one day in England, 534km and 15,255m of climbing are waiting for the riders when the event starts on August 13 in Builth Wells.

Course designer John Lloyd has once more spent the majority of the winter scanning the Welsh trails, with the race mixing untimed stages with timed stages, and can be tackled solo or in pairs. Riders can tackle three, four of the full seven days.

The 2011 event kicks off with an 81km stage from Builth to Knighton, finishing seven days later with the 62km finale from Cilycwm back to Builth. Here’s details, and profiles, of all the stages.  

TransWales, which began in 2006, is in its sixth year – here’s Bikemagic’s report from the inaugural event. 

Head to www.mtbtransuk.co.uk to enter.