News – Circuit of the Fens 2015

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Next year’s ‘Circuit of the Fens Pro-Elite Classic’ National A road race to be held on Sunday 26th July

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News – Circuit of the Fens 2015

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Event Press Release
The organiser Colin Coe explains that “We were looking for an earlier date but couldn’t agree on a suitable alternative with BCHQ. They offered us a place in their Elite Spring Cup Series if we agreed to take Sunday 19th April but that date wouldn’t fit into our schedule so the ‘Circuit of the Fens Pro-Elite Classic’ will now be a ‘stand alone’ National A for 2015.

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Adam Blythe winning in 2014 for NFTO Pro Cycling

Why the Fens’ can’t be included in the ‘Elite Grand Prix Series’, we can only surmise. However, our eventual aim is to get the race onto the UCI calendar so we will be working hard to achieve that objective. The race will again start and finish in the market town of Whittlesey with both the town council and Fenland District Council fully committed to the race.

The race is unique insofar that, apart from the occasional humped-back bridge, it is without any appreciable gradient but that doesn’t make for an easier ride. The riders can just race without worrying about the next hill but will need to be able to combat the ever-present fenland winds.

The route for the 2015 race has yet to be finalised but the unmade ‘National Byway’ (for cyclists) will not be included. The race will end with five laps of a slightly amended 7km finishing circuit after the riders have covered some 180km across the fens. The total distance is likely to make the Fens’ the longest domestic road race in the UK and should satisfy former pro’ and now Eurosport pundit Magnus Backstedt in his appeal for longer British races.

A support race will again be held over a total distance of 100/110km for 2nd and 3rd category riders. Both races will benefit from the presence of police and NEG marshals, neutral service vehicles and paramedics.

Marcin Bialoblocki (UK Youth) won the 2013 race in fine style and Adam Blythe (NFTO) used the Fens’ to begin his return to the big time. Blythe went on to win the following week’s London/Surrey International and after another quality performance in the Tour of Britain, returns to the WorldTour level with his new team, ‘Orica-Green Edge’.

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