Preview: Rutland – Melton CiCLE Classic

2013_RALEIGH_Militis_Banner_March15_600

With 22 nations represented in the 9th edition of the Rutland – Melton CiCLE Classic on Sunday 21st April the 2013 edition of the race looks to be the most challenging race ever and the hardest from which to predict a winner.

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

EVENT PRESS RELEASE

Whilst previous editions have seen riders of the calibre of Mark Cavendish (2007) pitting themselves not only against the other 160 plus competitors but also the challenging road conditions and terrain that the race provides, this year’s race is notable by its quality field and breadth of internationalism.

2012_CiCLE_Alex_Blain

Frenchman Alex Blain won in 2012 for Endura Racing and will be again be gunning for victory for Team Raleigh

After a potential participation by a team from Paraguay last year, who are this year confident of taking part, this years race sees riders from Russia, Azerbyjan, Latvia, Estonia, and the Ukraine, joining the traditional competition from Western European countries such as Spain, Belgium, and Austria as well as the large numbers of Australasian riders now forming members of or own top British squads.

With 34 teams confirmed for the race, this year under new joint sponsorship from the Giant Store (Rutland Water) and Schwalbe Tyres (UK), the race looks wide open, and after the floods and freak weather conditions of last years race, everyone is more than ever intent on making an unforgettable race and amends for any poor performances in 2012.

Heading the race and wearing number 1 as last years winner, Alexander Blain of France returns to the CiCLE Classic but this time with Team Raleigh with already participation in races similar to the Classic under his belt this year. But with Olympic Team Pursuit Gold medallist Ed Clancy leading the Rapha –Condor- Sharp squad which also boasts last years second placed James McCallum, the battle lines are already drawn.

2012_CiCLE_JimmyMac03

But the main challenge should well come from teams such as the Polish Wibatech team, the Rietumu – Delfin registered team and the newly created Synergy – Baku Project team from Azerbyjan. All have riders in their teams who have represented their countries in recent Olympic Games and World Championships and each have proved their worth with wins in races such as the Tour of Taiwan and Thailand already this year. Never to be discarded are the Spanish team of Model-Murcia who have proved their aggressive style of riding over pervious recent editions of the Classic.

All of Britain’s top domestic teams are represented with former Paris-Roubaix and Tour de France stage winner Magnus Backstedt leading the relatively local MG-Maxifuel team this year, although if you are looking for a local team to cheer then look no further than Melton’s own Metaltek-Knights of Old squad. Especial local interest is also East Midlands regional team which will have amongst its roster Paul Cox from Melton, and Ryan Henry from Oakham.

But more likely the British challenge will come from likes of Node4-Giordana or the newly formed Madison – Genesis managed by former podium placed rider in Paris –Roubaix, and former World Junior cyclo-cross champion Roger Hammond. With a team spearheaded by experienced Dean Downing, and riders of the calibre of Ian Bibby and former World junior Pursuit Champion Andrew Tennant , they could be the team to watch in a race where Hammond’s advice after many years of Belgian and continental racing experience could prove valuable to them.

2012_CiCLE_Album_Blain_Sparling_Barker2

As always the race commences at 11.00 and follows two laps of the mildly undulating and picturesque Rutland Water roads, this time each lap being interspersed with a detour at Normanton car park to pass directly by the premises of race sponsor the Giant Store, before retracing through Oakham where a hotspot sprint sponsored by Oakham Wines will be contested. The comes the first real climb of the race with the first ‘King of the Bergs’ point at Cold Overton as an entrée to where the real racing gets underway.

Once into Owston for the first time the race will receive its usual reception from what is expected to be a massive crowd gathered there to enjoy the racing under the supervision of the local villagers who have taken the race to their hearts and welcome the race each year with open arms. The race then moves towards Burrough on the Hill for its four passages of that village and Grant’s Freehouse which marks the highest point on the course.

It’s then back to Owston before the first passage of the ‘Somerberg’, a two kilometre long stretch of unmade road which has seen many ambitions lost with punctures and other mechanical problems over the years. This year however, Schwalbe will be sponsoring a neutral pit area at either end of this section offering wheels to those who would otherwise be left stranded by their own team support cars being held back behind lagging riders.

After several more laps of Owston and Burrough, each of increasing tiredness taking its toll on many of the competitors, the race then retraces ‘Somerberg’ before heading to Whissendine, and then on to its final special sector at ‘Sawgate’ at the top of Burton Road on the very outskirts of Melton.

But this year instead of the then breakneck dive towards the finish line in Sherrard Street , the riders will face firstly a massive crowd who are expected to have been enjoying the local Arts Festival and the St Georges Day parades in the town centre before heading off towards Stapleford and the newly introduced finishing circuit of 15 kilometres. Just 20 or more minutes after the first passage the race returns to Sherrard Street for the finish proper and the completion of 183 kilometres (114 miles ) of the toughest racing likely to be experienced in Britain this year.

2012_Russell_DowningCiCLE_03

“ Last year the CiCLE Classic came of age, when the weather conditions produced the hardest imaginable racing experience that any rider is ever likely to face, and it built on the reputation that the race had already gained over its eight years of existence,” said Race Director Colin Clews. “ Next year we reach ten years and we intend that that edition will be extra special and break even more new ground with a change in route and addional special sectors. This years race should provide an excellent starting point for that to take place”.

Where to see the race?

In 2013 the opportunities to view the race many times has been increased significantly. For the enthusiastic spectator it is possible to see the race in over 10 places during its circuitous route between Oakham and Melton. And with the new sponsorship provided by the Giant Store Rutland Water at Normanton and the introduction of a full finishing circuit through Melton Town centre exciting new places are available to spectators.

Suggestions:

1. The START in Oakham Town Centre
2. Normanton car park of Rutland Water where the race will detour in each lap to pass directly by the premises of its sponsor , the Giant Store Rutland Water.
3. At the Stamford Road bypass island just outside Oakham as the race completes its first lap of Rutland Water.
4. In Oakham Town Centre to see the Oakham Wines sprint be contested.
5. The top of Cold Overton hill for the first King of the Hills climb.
6. In Somerby fior the first passage of the race there.
7. Owston or Burrough on the Hill for the races many passages through those villages.
8. or back to Cold Overton Hill for the fourth King of the Hills climb, or onto ‘Somerberg’ (Bruces Lane) for the ultimate CiCLE Classic experience .
9. Leesthorpe Crossroads or Whissendine village to see the first passage of the race through the village and final Hot Spot sprint of the day.
10. At the exit from the final rough sector of the race at Sawgate Lane just on the edge of Melton.
11. in Melton town centre where following the local annual St Georges day parade the race will pass through the town before commencing its finishing circuit via Stapleford and Burton Lazers.
12. Stapleford Hotel and leisure centre main entrance and exit where the race passes on its new finishing circuit.
13. At the FINISH in Sherrard Street.

Please allow plenty of time to get from one point to another and be prepared to encounter the road closures which will apply as soon as the race approaches and will apply until the last of the ‘effective’ race passes. Also please remember to park your cars well off the road especially if parking on any of the many narrow roads that the race uses particularly around Owston and Burrough on the Hill.

If viewing at Owston please use the identified car parks and always obey any instructions from race marshals.

LINE-UP

Team Raleigh (GBR)
D.S: PRIDHAM, Cherie
1 BLAIN, Alexander
2 BERTHOU Eric
3 SCULLY Tom
4 NORRIS Lachlan
5 BRITTON Rob
6 BRIGGS Graham

Replacements:
O’BRIEN Mark
CHRISTIAN Mark
OLIPHANT Evan
WITMITZ Sam

Team Volralberg (AUT)
D.S: KOFLER, Thomas
7 BISSINGER Florian
8 BROERS Remco
9 DE JONGE Maarten
10 BRANDLE Christoph
11 SPRINGER Christoph
12 RINNER Daniel

Replacements:
BIEDERMANN Daniel
JENNY Tobias
WAUCH Dennis

Node 4 -Giordana Racing (GBR)
D.S: ELLIOTT, Malcolm
13 NORTHEY Michael
14 VAN UNDEN Roman
15 VARLEY Christian
16 BARRY Dan
17 LAMPIER Steven
18 WILLIAMSON James

Replacements:
EDMONDSON Nathan
MAGNIER Andrew
RODGER Shem
HEPWORTH Richard

Madison- Genesis (GBR)
D.S: HAMMOND, Roger
19 TENNANT Andrew
20 SNOOK Chris
21 DOWNING Dean
22 PULLAR Jack
23 BIBBY Ian
24 TOWNSHEND Brennan

Replacements:
BAYLIS Sebastian
HOLOHAN Liam
JELFS Dominic

Rapha-Condor-Sharp (GBR)
D.S:TAYLOR, Paul
25 McCALLUM James
26 CLANCY Edward
27 BUGGLE Aaron
28 ENGLISH Felix
29 LAVERACK Edward
30 STEPHENSON Will

Replacements:
HANDLEY Richard
CUMING Michael
HOUSE Kristian

MG- Maxifuel (GBR)
D.S: FREEMAN, Rod
31 BACKSTEDT Magnus
32 BJERGFELT Will
33 LINES David
34 STONES Liam
35 CALDWELL Jamie
36 BYRNE Declan

Replacements:
BOWATER Perry
SCOTT Jamie

Wilbatech Team (POL)
D.S: BROZYNA, Tomasz
37 GUCWA Zbigniew
38 WOLSKI Marcin
39 SREDZINSKI Jacub
40 OSIECKI Lukasz
41 URBANOWSKI Marcin
42 BARTKIEWICZ Andrzej

Replacements:
GODRAS Szymon
MROZEK Wiktor
KACZMAREK Jacub
FRANCZAK Pawel
MICKIEWICZ Tomasz

Team UK Youth (GBR)
D.S: POVALL, Dave
43 BARKER Yanto
44 BIALOBLOCKI Marcin
45 PARTRIDGE Robert
46 WILKINSON Ian
47 GUSTAVSSON Niklas
48 OPIE Chris

Replacements:
HUNT Josh
TANGUY Richard
HORTON Tobyn

Model – Murcia (ESP)
D.S: CHACON QUESADA, Juan Carlos
49 PLAZA MIRAS Estaban
50 CHACON QUESADA Javier
51 RAMIREZ NAVARRO Juan Carlos
52 LOPEZ URQUIZAR Juan Jesus
53 SANCHEZ MULA Grabiel
54 GARCIA CALZADO Manuel

Replacements:
CANAVERAS Manuel

Metaltech- Knights of Old (GBR)
D.S: SWAIN, Andy
55 MURRAY Tom
56 APPLEBY Dale
57 McGOWAN Dave
58 GILHAM Kit
59 SMALL Rob
60 LAST Tom

Replacements:
PILKINGTON Matt
LEWIS Gruff
BARTLETT Chris

UCD (Dublin Region ) (IRL)
D.S: McGLYNN, Noel
67 COLLIS Con
68 O CONLUAIN Ciaran
69 MORTON Eoin
70 COLLINS Ross
71 RICHARDSON Ian
72 O CALLAGHAN Jason

Replacements:
PARKER Barrick

Team IG- Sigma Sport (GBR)
D.S: HOWES, Simon
73 HAWKINS Peter
74 MOSS James
75 WILLIAMS Peter
76 CRONSHAW Matt
77 GRIFFITHS Andrew
78 SYBRANDY Wouter

Replacements:
MULLEN Ryan
Joe PERRETT

Felt-Colbournes-Hargroves Cycles (GBR)
D.S: HEATON-ARMSTRONG, John
79 HARGROVES, Andy
80 DUGUID Dan
81 MARDLE Richard
82 BAKER Nick
83 HIGGINS Matt
84 HARPER George

Retumu-Delfin (LAT)
D.S:VEIDE, Linards
85 PRIA Lars
86 PROKOFJEVS Ivars
87 PRUUS Peeter
88 PUHM Reijo
89 SKUJINS, Toms
90 SOROKIN Dimitriy

Replacements:
VOSEKALNS Andris
BECIS Armands
TARVIS Peeter

Team Hope Factory Racing (GBR)
D.S: OWEN-STANFORD, Lee
91 BOOTH Dan
92 COLLINS Dave
93 SHARPE James
94 WILLIAMS Matt
95 OLDHAM Paul
96 GULLEN James

Deschuytter-Westkerk (BEL)
D.S:DESCHUYTTER, Filip
97 DHIEDT Bram
98 TOORTELBOOM Frederik
99 SLABINCK Anthony
100 MEERSSCHAERT Kristof
101 GOYVAERTS Oskar
102 BONNE Diego

Replacements:
BOORA Jules
VERSTEVEN Stijn
OVAERE Jonas

Wheelbase-Altura-MGD (GBR)
D.S: DALTON, Toby
103 REID Stuart
104 BARRAS Tom
105 DUGGLEBY Adam
106 RUTHERFORD Alistair
107 COUPE Andrew
108 GLEN Liam

Herbalife-LeisureLakes 
D.S: Taylor, Neil
109 HAND Gary
110 HAWDON Andrew
111 SAMPSON James
112 TANFIELD Harry
113 COUTTS Alex
114 DRAKE Giles

Synergy -Baku Cycling Project (AZJ)
D.S: McCANN, David
115 CLARKE David
116 CRAVEN Dan
117 POZDNYAKOV Kirill
118 SCHWEIZER Christoph
119 McCONVEY Connor
120 ASADOV Elchin

Replacements:
ISAGANDAROV Turai
SURUTKOVYCH Oleksander

Velo 29-Blackhawk (GBR)
D.S: WILLIAMSON, Richard
121 MOYE Anthony
122 ADLARD Rob
123 NORLEDGE Joe
124 KIPLING Matt
125 ALDER James
126 CHRISTOPHER Mark

Replacements:
BROWN Will

Great Britain Under 23 Academy (GBR)
D.S:
127 DIBBEN John
128 DOULL Owain
129 ATKINS George
130 LATHAM Chris

Replacements:
LOWE Sam
KELLY Joe

Dirtwheels Cycles (GBR)
D.S: HENDRY, Neil
131 PERRY Mark
132 MARSHALL Mike
133 WATSON Robert
134 RUDD Adrian
135 BULMER Matthew
136 BARUSEVICUS Peter

Start -Trigon Team (PAR)
D.S:FRAZER, Laura
137 BELLO CaCalixto
138 FRAZER Mauricio
139 MINO Gustavo
140 Van EERD David
141 MENENDEZ Ruben
142 ZUGASTI Iban

Replacements:
ARDILA CANO Fader
CASENY Ruben

British Cycling East Midlands Region (GBR)
D.S:
143 HENRY Ryan
144 COX Paul
145 ADAMS Jack
146 PALMER David

British Cycling North East Region (GBR)
D.S:REES, Jack
147 SMITH Daniel
148 REES Jack
149 TIMOTHY Tom
150 DENTON Karl

Team Corley Cycles (GBR)
D.S: HOOPER, Sarah
151 GEE Matthew
152 SMITH Michael
153 WILSON Simon
154 SHUSTER Jonathan

Spirit Bikes Race Team (GBR)
D.S: ROWLES, Russell
155 BAINES Mark
156 CLEMENS Ed
157 DREDGE Chris
158 WALLER Jack

Clay Cross racing Team (GBR)
D.S: HURD, Chris
159 ALLEN Tim
160 GUYMER Steve
161 HARRIS Dan
162 COWLEY Blake

Asfra-Flanders (BEL)
D.S:
163 TBC
164 TBC
165 TBC
166 TBC

Team Diabetes UK (GBR)
D.S:
167 WHITTINGTON John
168 EICHLER Toby
169 REEDY Kamden
170 FRANKLIN Matt

BRADLEY Charlie

AW Cycles
D.S:
171 SMITH Martin
172 WILSON James
173 LATIMER Henry
174 CARPENTER Lawrence

Twenty3c.co.uk/Focus Bikes (GBR)
D.S: SHANNON,Dean
175 ADAMS Stephen
176 SZLACHTA Wojciech
177 VINCENT Pete
178 ROSSI Oliver
179 LAKE Owen
180 HOWELLS Rhys

Replacements:
RYAN Luke
NICHOLLS Dave

Spin Rotor-PrimalEurope (GBR)
D.S: KING, Alex
181 PARRY Colin
182 STOCKDALE Tom
183 REDDING Sam
184 GUADILLAT Antoine

Replacements:
NICOSON Chris
PILBOROUGH Nick
HAWORTH Peter

 

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)

Other News on VeloUK

Tags: