News – 2014 Otley Cycle Races

2014_TickhillAdvert
29th running of the massively successful circuit races sees Bernard Hinault & Lizzie Armitstead to star as well as the worlds biggest  Ice Cream Van!

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

News – 2014 Otley Cycle Races

NOTE: Send your results as well as club, team & event news here

2014 DM Keith Skoda Otley Cycle Races take place on Wednesday 2nd July 2014 

2013_Otley_02

This is the 29th running of the massively successful circuit races. Always looked forward to by riders and spectators alike, this year’s races are set to be even bigger and higher profile than usual – they are just three days before the Tour de France comes through Otley.

This has had a massive effect on the event. Special guests will include organiser of the TDF, Christian Prudhomme and some of his key ASO management team along with Gary Verity whose vision, drive and chutzpah landed the opportunity for Yorkshire to stage the Grand Depart.

Joining them will be one of the towering greats of world cycling – Bernard Hinault – who will be starting the Otley GP and awarding prizes to the winners of the youth, women’s and classic races. The evening’s bike racing commences with the Pinsent Mason’s Otley Women’s GP.

This race is part of the British Women’s National Series and will see series leader Nicola Juniper battle it out with global cycling superstars Laura Trott, Dame Sarah Storey, last year’s winner Elinor Barker and local cycling royalty, Lizzie Armitstead.

LizzieArmitsteadWorldCup

Next up is the MAS Design Consultants Super Prestige Youth race for U16 boys and girls. This is a chance for everyone to see the stars of the 2020 and 2024 Olympics and beyond, race around the legendary Otley circuit. Riders in this race include current National Youth Series Leader Matt Walls along with Yorkshire hitters Reece Wood, Harry Hardcastle and Yorkshire Champion Tom Pidcock.

After the Chevin Cycles Classic race for local riders there is the grand finale, the dramatic highlight of the night, The Property Development 2014 Otley GP. This is the first round in the 2014 British Elite Circuit Series and has drawn a field of 117 riders.

To celebrate the Grand Depart in Yorkshire the winner of the Otley GP will receive a grand! Rapha Condor JLT are the leading team having just won this year’s Pearl Izumi Tour Series and with riders like last year’s Otley winner Felix English and Olympic Champion Ed Clancy they are in good shape.

They won’t have it their own way though with Madison Genesis and their riders Tobyn Horton and Tom Stewart coming into form at just the right time. NFTO, Raleigh and Velosure will also be after the £1,000 first prize. As will Adam Yates (OricaGreenEdge) the British winner of the Tour of Turkey in his first year as a pro.

Adam is quoted as saying that Otley is his favourite circuit race so he should be well up for a scrap with the domestic riders. Whoever wins, it will be great to see watch the riders round that famous last corner and into the wall of noise that lines the finishing straight on race day.

Hinault_Downings

Alongside the racing, Skoda are bringing The biggest Ice Cream Van in the World. This thing comes on two 40 foot low loaders and will be worth coming to see on its own even without Bernard Hinault and some of the best bike riders in the UK. Skoda have agreed to give away free ice creams on the night!

If you’d like to visit Otley on race day then there is ample, security patrolled parking. This costs £3 per car which includes a free race program with all the rider lists and information about the event. There are many pubs and food outlets in the town. What better way to spend a summer evening than watching some great bike racing with a pie and a pint?

Organiser Giles Pidcock says “it’s all shaping up to be a mega night of cycling, we’ve had entries from riders all over the world wanting to ride at Otley while they are here for the Tour. We estimate that there will be some 20,000 in town on race day”

Jason Knowles from Otley Town council said “we have put enormous effort into the cycle races, it is the highlight of the year for the town and something all the residents and businesses get behind and look forward to.”

Tom Moses, Rapha Condor JLT, local rider and almost winner in 2013 said “this is the race to win round these parts. I came some close last year and I’d love to settle that score next week. The bragging rights in the café will be mine for years to come if I succeed and that’s important!”

Further information can be found at: www.otleycycleraces.co.uk

 

Send your results as well as club, team & event news here

Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)

Other News on VeloUK

Tags: