News: Team for CiCLE Classic Revealed

With just over 30 days to go until the 15th edition of the Rutland – Melton International CiCLE Classic on Sunday 28th April the teams to contest the race have been announced.

News: Team for CiCLE Classic Revealed

With just over 30 days to go until the 15th edition of the Rutland – Melton International CiCLE Classic on Sunday 28th April the teams to contest the race have been announced.

Once again the organisation has tried to balance the participation of the Elite teams against the wish to incorporate as many smaller UK entities as possible and provide the otherwise unique experience of competing on home roads against foreign opposition.

Something that no other race in Britain currently offers. The widest participation is achieved by offering these small squads places as teams of four.

Unsurprisingly, all the six UK registered UCI Continental teams are named along with ten foreign based teams to field full six man squads in what will once again be Britain’s first international race of the year, rounding out the Spring Classics season in fine style. Similar size squads from a smattering of Britain’s elite National teams complete the 20 six man teams accepted.

6 man team places.
Wiggins -Le Col (GBR) UCI Continental
Zappi-Holdsworth (GBR) Elite Club
WPG Amsterdam (NED) Elite Club.
Dovy -Keukens (BEL) UCI Continental
Madison -Genesis (GBR) UCI Continental
St .Piran (GBR) Elite Club
Vitus-p.b. Brother (GBR) UCI Continental
Bioracer-FR-DHL (IRL) Elite Club
Monkey Town (NED) UCI Continental
Swift Carbon (GBR) UCI Continental
Canyon-DHB p.b. Bloor Homes (GBR) UCI Continental
SVL Sauerland (GER) UCI Continental
Ribble Pro Cycling (GBR) UCI Continental
Beat ProCycling (NED) UCI Continental
Latvian National Team (LAT)
Spirit-Tifosi (GBR) Elite Club
Rally -UHC (USA) UCI Pro Continental
CC Sheffield (GBR) Elite Club
Zico- Guerciotti (ESP) UCI Continental
GSC Blagnac V 31 (FRA) Elite Club

4 man team ‘Wildcard’ entries.
Taap – Cervelo (GBR) UK Club
Leisure Lakes (GBR) UK Club
Welsh National Academy (GBR) UK Regional
Active Edge RT (GBR) UK Club
Holohan Coaching RT (GBR) UK Club
DAP Cycling (GBR) UK Club
Bikestrong KTM (GBR) UK Club
OVB (GBR) UK Club
Richardsons -Trek (GBR) UK Club Team
LDN (GBR) UK Club
East Midlands Regional Team (GBR) Regional
ProVision RT (GBR) UK Club
Flamme Rouge CT (GBR) UK Club
Crimson Performance Marketing RT UK Club
Team PB Performance (GBR) UK Club

“ The choice of teams was more difficult than ever this year, and regret is expressed for any teams disappointed by their non selection. The reduction in field size from 200 to 176 for UCI events has not made this task any easier although all those involved have been promised a place in the inaugural edition of the Bourne CiCLE Classic event to take place on 1st September”, explained Race Director Colin Clews.
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The addition of four circuits within the home village of Race Director Colin Clews, also looks to give ‘spice’ to the early, quiet section of this year’s race. With two £50 sprint prizes already on offer to the first rider to pass the iconic Windmill entrance each time on the ascent of Butt Lane, to this has now been added a £100 sprint award on the final passage of the village along Main Street.

Sponsored by local estate agent and village resident Vernon Moore, the sprint will be offered as a whole village sprint, similar to the Town awards in Oakham and Melton, and of course the several that will take place in Owston.

Parking and refreshments will be available within Wymondham, and although those wishing to see the race there are advised to leave Oakham before the ceremonial ‘roll out’ start at 11.00 am., anyone doing so will be able to travel across country via Stapleford and Pickwell to arrive at Owston before the race’s first passage of that iconic CiCLE Classic spectator viewing point.
With the race’s total distance being increased to 198.5 kms, just short of the 200 kms maximum for a race at this level another milestone is reached for the ever popular ‘Britain’s Belgian Classic’ race.
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The event will again retain as its main sponsors, the Giant Store (Rutland Water) and Schwalbe UK, supported by Dare2b sports clothing and Duvel Belgian beer but, will also see some new additions to its secondary sponsors. After a year as sponsor of the race’s timing car, Pearce’s Jewellers of Oakham and Melton will also assume sponsorship of the local East Midlands team that will take part in the race. Pearce’s name being added to the jerseys that the 4 man team will wear to contest the race alongside that of the race’s chosen charity, The Mount Group RDA.

Another name well known to the race following their unforgettable victory in the 2017 with their then rider Dan Fleeman, local machine engineering company Metaltek CNC are to join the race as sponsor of the primary ‘off road’ sections of ‘Somerberg’, ‘StaplePark’ and ‘Sawgate’. After 14 years support of the race’s official vehicles, Tim Norton (Ford) Motors of Oakham are also to be joined in 2019 by more substantive support from Ford UK to assist in meeting increased requirements by the international cycling authorities (UCI) upon vehicles used in race convoys. Further additional sponsor announcements are expected in due course.

• The associated Rutland CiCLE Tour which takes place on Saturday 27th April, starting and finishing from the premises of one of the Classic’s main sponsors, Giant (Rutland Water) will also receive a face lift. Next year those taking part will be able, if they choose, to ride several of the off road sections included in the following days Classic for the Pros. On road alternatives will remain however, so presenting the best of both ‘gravel’ and ‘road’ riding. Entries are available at www.itpevents.co.uk
• The Women and Junior Men will again get their chance to take part in their own editions of the CiCLE Classic on Sunday 9th June over shortened versions of the International race route. Both events will form part of the British Cycling national Road race series for both their respective categories.
• Entirely new for 2019 the ‘CiCLE’ stable of events will see the addition of races for Elite Men and Women within a freshly created Bourne CiCLE Festival in neighbouring Lincolnshire, organised by South Kesteven District Council under the auspices of their tourist promotional arm, InvestSK.