The event may be cancelled for 2020, but cyclists will soon be able to tackle the challenging Tour of Pembrokeshire and raise money for charity in the process.

And they won’t even have to leave their living rooms to do so.

The popular sportive, originally scheduled for April 19, was last month postponed until October 10 because of the current coronavirus pandemic.

Organisers have decided the safest option is to cancel the event altogether and look forward to 2021 – when Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi in St Davids will play host.

Those who entered for 2020 will be given a choice between a full refund, deferring their place, or leaving their fee to be donated between the eight chosen charities for the event this year.

But that doesn’t mean anyone has to miss out on tackling either the 59.6, 80.6, or 103 mile routes.

The Tour of Pembrokeshire team is currently working to set up a virtual sportive via its website.

The logistics are still being fine-tuned, but all involved will be asked to make a minimum donation to either the DPJ Foundation or Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).

Main tour organiser Peter Walker explained: “We think this is a chance to do something positive out of a negative. Once we set a start date for launching it, we will keep the option open and let it run for a long period of time.”

Mr Walker, who said many 2020 entrants had already made contact to say they wanted to donate their fee to good causes, also explained why the team wanted to do something extra for the two farming charities.

“It’s a difficult time and the farming industry has been through a really tough period of late.

“So while we won’t be charging people to enter as such, we do intend to ask for a minimum donation to go to the DPJ and RABI.

“And of course people can still be sponsored to ride for those causes as well.”

Mr Walker said that by the end of next week, he hoped to be able to make a full announcement outlining the details of how cyclists can take part.