Report – Tour of Cambridgeshire

Bioracer_Example

6,000 riders take part in the UK’s first ever closed road UWCT Gran Fondo and Chrono TT events in Peterborough

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

Report – Tour of Cambridgeshire

The UK’s first ever UCI World Cycling Tour (UWCT) events took place over the weekend with over 6,000 cyclists taking part in the Enervit Tour of Cambridgeshire Gran Fondo and Chrono.

The inaugural Tour of Cambridgeshire Gran Fondo and Chrono TT over the weekend was deemed a resounding success by all involved with thousands of cyclists taking to the closed roads of Cambridgeshire and thousands more spectators taking to the roadside to cheer them on. Riders of all ages, abilities and nationalities came to Peterborough to either race in a UCI event or enjoy a traffic free route.

The weekend kicked off with the 17mile closed road Chrono TT on a rolling course where the wind provided the biggest challenge and required riders to measure their efforts or pay for it later. The fastest time overall was Matt Bottrill (Drag2Zero) in 34:11 winning by 41 seconds on secind placed Ashley Cox (CC Luton) in 34:52. In the women’s event ex-GB international Julia Shaw (Drag 2 Zero) showed she is back by winning with a 39.31, the only woman to go under the 40 minute barrier, with second place going to Suzetta Guerrini (London Dynamo) 40:18.

2015_VISION_MetronMidStory

Sunday saw the UK’s first ever UWCT Gran Fondo with over 1,000 riders in the race pen and over 4,000 riders behind them setting their own challenges. The 83 mile race was fast form the start with several small groups getting away before being reeled in again by the main bunch of approx 100. A five man group broke away in the closing stages and was down to a three man sprint by the time they got to the line where Andrew Williams (Cwmcarn Paragon) took the win after 3:09 minutes of racing. In the main group two minutes behind Laura Massey (Cambridge CC/IKON Mazda) took the ladies title in the mass sprint to the line.

It wasn’t just the riders who appreciated the closed roads as spectators came out all along the route to cheer the riders on. Support from the villages along the route was incredible, the Tour de France being in the county last year seemed to have inspired those at the roadside as deck chairs, bbqs and drinks were out in every village along the course. Many riders commented that it was the nearest they’ll ever get to riding a professional race with the closed roads and cheering public to spur them on.

Overall winner of the Chrono time trial Matt Bottrill was full of praise for the event; “Outside of the U23 World Championships this is one of the best events I have ever ridden. We need more events of this standard in the UK and I’m glad to have taken part and won the first edition of the time trial”.

Tom Caldwell from organisers Vericool Sports Marketing was equally pleased; “We’re overwhelmed with the response from riders and the public to the event. We’ve worked really hard to get the event to a UCI world class level in our first year and we’re already working on ways to improve the experience for next year”.

Website: www.tourofcambridgeshire.com

Results – TIME TRIAL  | ROAD RACE 

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

Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)

Other News on VeloUK

Tags: ,