The Women’s National Circuit Race Championships will join the finale of the Elite Circuit Race Series to complete an evening of top pro cycling in Sheffield
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The 2012 Women’s National Circuit Race Championships will be contested in Sheffield on Wednesday 25 July, alongside the climax of the Men’s Elite Circuit Race Series. The Championships will kick off an evening of exciting bike racing in the city that will feature the country’s fastest and most skilful riders in the Claremont Sheffield Grand Prix.
Last year’s Championship was won by the defending champion Hannah Barnes (Motorpoint) who out-classed her opposition, riding a very intelligent race in treacherous conditions on the Preston Town Centre circuit. She fought off the strong challenge of Horizon Fitness-Prendas riders Dani King and Hannah Rich to take the coveted striped jersey for the second year running.
The 19 year old from Towcester, now racing for the Ibis Cycles team, will face tough competition to retain the National Circuit Race Champion’s jersey from riders such as current Junior World Road Race Champion Lucy Garner and Matrix Fitness–Prendas’ Annabel Simpson who have both shown strong form in the early part of the year.
In both races, riders will contest laps of the 1.4km anticlockwise circuit around Sheffield City Centre, which starts on Pinstone Street and turns left onto Furnival Gate before sweeping left into Arundle Gate. Riders will then turn left at the famous Crucible Theatre to make their way up Norfolk Street before tackling the tricky cobbled section which turns right into Surrey Street and will lead them back onto Pinstone Street to cross the finish line.
Jonny Clay, Cycle Sport and Membership director at British Cycling said: “We are pleased to be able to bring the 2012 Women’s National Circuit Race Championships to this great location on what promises to be an action-packed evening of elite cycle sport in Sheffield. The inaugural event will provide a showcase for city centre bike racing as well as a spectacle for the people of Sheffield as they witness the country’s top cyclists race on their own city centre streets.”
Claremont Sheffield Grand Prix Organiser, Marc Etches commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Men’s and Women’s Elite cycling to the city of Sheffield. To host the Women’s National Circuit Race Championships and the final round of the Elite Circuit Race Series on the same night is a real treat for Sheffield.
“South Yorkshire has a strong cycling community with some very successful pro riders from the area so to finally bring them to compete in the city centre is very exciting. Criterium racing is non-stop action so the event will be a great spectacle and will also help bring in trade for local businesses on the night. Personally I would like to thank the Claremont Hospital and also the events team at Sheffield City Council for their help and support.”
Andy Davey, Hospital Director at Claremont Hospital, sponsors of the Sheffield Grand Prix, commented: “Claremont Hospital is proud to sponsor the Sheffield Grand Prix, continuing our support of both elite and amateur cyclists through the Claremont Sports Medicine and Performance Centre.
Our sponsorship of Rapha Condor Sharp pro cycling team enables us to offer a professional support service to cyclists at all levels and we are sure the Sheffield GP will bring cycling to a wider audience.
Claremont Hospital has a history of supporting local sports teams including Olympic training camps here in Sheffield and sponsoring events such as the Sheffield GP is another great way to get involved with the local community.”
The Women’s National Circuit Race Championships race will start at 7pm and will be followed by the final round of the Men’s Elite Circuit Race Series at 8.15pm.
Information about the Claremont Sheffield Grand Prix can be found on www.sheffieldgrandprix.co.uk
