2019 CiCLE Classic – Startlist & Preview

The 15th edition of the Rutland – Melton International CiCLE Classic on Sunday 28th April is set to become the best contested edition of the race ever with 16 UCI registered squads and 35 teams in total.

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2019 CiCLE Classic – Startlist & Preview

Race Press Release

The 15th edition of the Rutland – Melton International CiCLE Classic on Sunday 28th April is set to become the best contested edition of the race ever with 16 UCI registered squads and 35 teams in total.

Starting from the wearer of race number 1, 2018 winner Gabz Cullaigh of Team Wiggins-Le Col through the myriad of 10 foreign based teams, not to forget Britain’s own six UCI Continental teams, the choice of a winner is wide open. Cullaigh is once again supported by his Team Wiggins -Le Col team which includes 2019 World Under 23’s Cyclo-Cross Champion Tom Pidcock; forging a partnership that may be unstoppable. Rob Scott too has shown great form in the team’s UCI race programme. As we have often found in the past reputations mean nothing when the CiCLE Classic course throws up its unseen challenges.

Several notable firsts are involved with the race, not least being the event honoured by the current British National Road Race Champion, Connor Swift of Madison -Genesis. A surprise winner of last year’s British Championship ahead of many well know names from Team Sky and other continental based UK riders, Swift has already shown last year his potential at the CiCLE Classic by a strong 4th place ride despite his chances being curtailed by a badly timed puncture on the penultimate special sector of the race at Sawgate Lane. This year, Swift returns heading a team which includes 2016 race winner Tom Moses.

Also new in 2019 is a new opening section at Wymondham
In previous years, the race has done two laps of Rutland Water but this year that has changed and the race will take a fairly rolling/draggy route out to Wymondham where they will do four laps; two laps of a short circuit and two of a bigger one before returning back to Oakham and the start of the usual course for the race.

The route out is on A and B roads and even the lane off Barnsdale Ave (early doors) is not that narrow allowing riders to move up (sort of LoL). That said, the roads are not as wide as some of them on the Rutland Water loops except for the short section on the A606 at the start. The roads on the circuits around Wymondham are narrow (single lane) in parts which could help a break go.

Video One – the Small Circuit

Video Two – the Big Circuit

Foreign Challenge

Anyone wishing to predict a winner may look to the foreign competition or new , but very experienced faces that will be looking to show their talent at what is now regarded as Britain’s most prestigious one day race.

WPG Amsterdam return with 2018 third placed rider Koos Kors stating his intention to go even better this time around.

A strong challenge to all is expected from the US based Rally-UHC squad. A UCI Pro Continental team, one level higher than all other teams in this year’s race, Rally-UHC swept all before them last year in winning the UCI America’s Tour competition. So far this year they have been competing against the World’s best at events such as the Tour of Oman and the Presidential Tour in Turkey. They travel to the CiCLE Classic after contesting the Fleche Walloone World Tour race in Belgium just a few days before our own race, and two days ahead of taking to the UK roads again in the Tour de Yorkshire.

The revitalised Vitus-Brother team bring to the race multiple Olympic Champion Ed Clancy, as well as 2018 CiCLE Classic ‘King of the Bergs’ Adam Kenway. Also recent signing Scott Thwaites, newly returned to Britain after several years racing at World Tour level will each be seen as posing a threat to the final outcome of the race as no doubt will similarly returning James Shaw, who will head up the newly formed Swift Carbon team in their debut year as UCI Continental level. Shaw was last seen on local roads as winner of the inaugural edition of the Junior Men’s CiCLE Classic, and he will be looking to show that he has not lost those winning ways.

Returning to the foreign challenge, regulars Monkey Town, – Le Bloc are joined by a third Dutch team this year in the form of Beat Cycling, who although newcomers to the CiCLE Classic are no strangers to winning in their native Netherlands. Teams from Ireland, France, Belgium, Spain, Germany and Latvia complete the overseas competition. The latter although never having yet won at Rutland to Melton, have a history of bringing to the race, riders who within a year or two shown their ability and now ride for some of the World’s biggest teams and are winning races. The most notable being Tom Skuyns who for several days wore the King of the Mountains jersey in last year’s Tour de France.

The race is not known for presenting a easy win for the top riders, and this year’s competition from amongst the smaller British squads looks stronger than ever. With 19 such teams accepted, CC Sheffield look formidable having produced several domestic winners this year. Neither can we must dismiss the East Midlands team sponsored by Melton and Oakham’s Pearce’ Jewellers which can boast two ex National Road race champions in Russell Downing and Colin Sturgess in their line up, with the latter able to also boast a World Professional Pursuit title. Of the many other teams present, this would not be the first time an unknown rider has produced unexpected talent in previous editions of the race.

Speaking this week, Race Director Colin Clews said;” The Rutland – Melton CiCLE Classic has come a long way in 15 years, and the level of competition that the race now engenders amongst both British and foreign teams demonstrates the importance that is now placed upon winning the event. The change to the course opening section is a major departure from previous editions and its potential influence on the final outcome will be watched closely. We hope more than ever that the strong spectator following the event has created over the years, will develop even further. What we can all be assured of, is that whoever wins on Sunday 28th, they will have earned their place in the history of the race that we continue to write year on year.”

The event will again have as title sponsors the Giant Store (Rutland Water) and Schwalbe UK, supported by Dare2b sports clothing and Duvel Belgian beer. But, the start in Oakham will be sponsored by Bills Bar of Oakham, and the finish area on Melton similarly supported by Melton BID. Pearce’s Jewellers of Oakham and Melton will again sponsor the timing car and additionally on this occasion the East Midlands team, giving locals somebody to cheer on. The race’s chosen charity will again be The Mount Group RDA.

Local machine engineering company Metaltek CNC join the race as sponsor of the primary ‘off road’ sections of ‘Somerberg’, ‘StaplePark’ and ‘Sawgate’ as a new addition, whereas the Melton Building Society sponsor the race’s team competition for the 15th time, a similar record to that of official vehicle supplier, Tim Norton (Ford) Motors of Oakham who are also to be joined in 2019 by more substantive support from Ford UK .

Special sprint awards during the race, offered by Oakham Wines on the return passage of Oakham, and at Owston village from Manor Farm Feeds and the special ‘riders weight in beer’ awards offered by The Grainstore Brewery, are this year joined by Wymondham Windmill and Moore’s Estate Agents who offer special awards for the race’s first visit to Wymondham village.

Other Information
• 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. 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.

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OFFICIAL

LIST OF COMPETITORS 2019

Team Wiggins (GBR)
1 CULLAIGH Gabriel
2 ROBINSON Oliver
3 SCOTT Robert
4 SAUVAGNARGUES Jacques
5 HEALY Ben
6 PIDCOCK Tom

WPGA Amsterdam (NED)
7 KERS Koos-Jeroen
8 STEINBUSCH Joep
9 KRUL Wessel
10 BAKKER Stephen
11 BOELE Niels
12 MOURIS Teun

Madison Genesis (GBR)
13 SWIFT Connor
14 ROWSELL Erick
15 McEVOY Johnny
16 MOSES Thomas
17 PYM George
18 MOULD John

Vitus Pro Cycling-Brother UK (GBR)
19 THWAITES Scott
20 CLANCY Edward
21 SLATER Alistair
22 KENWAY Adam
23 MOTTRAM Mikey
24 LATHAM Christopher

Monkey Town – A Block CT (NED)
25 DE JONGE Maarten
26 VAN DER VEEKENS Mel
27 KLEIMAN Wim
28 PLUTO Martin
29 VAN DER KOOIJ Bas
30 JANSSEN Adriaan

Canyon-DHB – Bloor Homes (GBR)
31 STEWART Tom
32 HENNESSY Jacob
33 TOWNSEND Rory
34 TENNANT Andy
35 PATON Alex
36 WOOD Ollie

Ribble Pro Cycling (GBR)
37 BIGHAM Daniel
38 LEWIS Gruffudd
39 STEWART Mark
40 LUHRS Alex
41 TIPPER Jacob
42 BROWN Will

Latvian National Team (LAT)
43 PAVLOS Evalds
44 VOSEKALNS Andris
45 ANSONS Kristers
46 RAZINSKIS Aleks Janis
47 FLAKSIS Andzs
48

Rally-UHC Cycling (USA)
49 MURPHY John
50 CARPENTER Robin
51 De VOS Adam
52 JOYCE Colin
53 ANDERSON Ryan
54 MAGNER Tyler

Guerciotti-Kiwi Atlantico (ESP)
55 NUNEZ SANCHEZ Jose Carlos
56
57 MILITIADIS Andreas
58 SILVA Paulo
59
60 LOPES GONZALEZ Fernado

Zappi-Holdsworth (GBR)
61 DRAPER Nathan
62 WOOD Reece
63 MEREDITH Charlie
64 QUARTERMAN Charlie
65 WRIGHT Paul
66 HAMILTON Ben

Dovy Keukens (BEL)
67 WIGGINS Doron
68 DEVOOGDT Tiebo
69 DEWEER Jochen
70 DE MAREZ Ruben
71 DEKONING Fabrizio
72 BETSBRUGGE Jonathan

Saint Piran (GBR)
73 LAMPIER Steve
74 MAXWELL Oliver
75 JEFFERS Cameron
76 EVANS Joe
77 ALDERMAN Jake
78 NOWELL Matthew

Team Bioracer-DHL-FR Svs (IRL)
79 CORKERY Dillon
80 SMITH Luke
81 BOLLAND David
82 BULLER John
83 MORE Sean
84 McCANN Conor

SwiftCarbon ProCycling (GBR)
85 WILLIAMS Peter
86 MUNDY Isaac
87 SCOTT Jake
88 BJERGFELT Will
89 HARDY Ben
90 SHAW James

Team Sauerland NRW SKS Germany (GER)
91 HODAPP Johannes
92 LEINAU Joann
93 KNOLLE Jon
94 LEINAU Louis
95 INTRA Felix
96 TOUPALIK Adam

BEAT Cycling Club (NED)
97 HOEYBERGHS Daan
98 BUGTER Luuc
99 HAVIK Piotr
100 LEWIS Adam
101 MENGOULAS Alex
102 SEYE Guilaume

Spirit-Tifosi RT (GBR)
103 MAZZONE Tom
104 MAZZONE Leon
105 WALKER Charles
106 PEACOCK Jordan
107 DREDGE Chris
108 GRAHAM Rupert

Cycling Sheffield (GBR)
109 RENSHAW Charlie
110 KNIGHT Tom
111 SZYMANSKI Louis
112 SAVAGE Kieran
113 PULLEN Dan
114 CLARK Joe

GSC Blagnac VS31 (FRA)
115 LAMB Ross
116 CALVERT Charley
117 DUBOIS Corentin
118
119 WALSH Ben
120 JONES Harrison

TAAP Cervelo (GBR)
121 DOWNIE Matt
122 WEBSTER Matt
123 IRVING Ben
124 VISSER Ryan

Bryan Steele Academy (GBR)
125 BOOTH Thomas
126 FORD Jack
127 GARRY Sebastian
128 OXLEY Jonathan

Holohan Coaching RT (GBR)
129 VICKERS Kirk
130 SMITH Danny
131 HAYWOOD Oliver
132 CHILDS Chris

Bikestrong KTM (GBR)
133 AMBROSE-PARISH James
134 BECK George
135 EDWARDS Andrew
136 PHILLIPS James

Richardsons-Trek RT (GBR)
137 SUTTON Joseph
138 BULLEY Lewis
139 CLEMENTS Mathew
140 COCKER Peter

East MIDS-Pearces-RDA
141 DOWNING Russell
142 ORR Rob
143 STURGESS Colin
144 DUSSEK Tom

Flamme Rouge CT (GBR)
145 BATES Oliver
146 EXLEY Matthew
147 SCOTT William
148 HUMPAGE Matthew

Team PB Performance (GBR)
149 SYMONDS Bradley
150 HOUSLEY Josh
151 HILL James
152 HARLOW Sion

Leisure Lakes (GBR)
153 HAYDON James
154 PERRETT William
155 HORNBLOW Jonathan
156 PERKINS Joe

Active Edge RT (GBR)
157 YATES Jesse
158 BARKER Felix
159 BRATT Charlie
160 KIRBY Laurence

DAP Cycling (GBR)
161 BACON Morris
162 RICHARDS Mark
163 TAYLOR Andy
164 MATTHEWS Harley

OVB (GBR)
165 BURKE Michael
166 BRINKLEY Andrew
167 PRITCHARD Alex
168 TAIT Steve

Team LDN (GBR)
169 ELWOOD Tom
170 WILEY Tom
171 KRUKOV Michael
172 THOMPSON Ben

ProVision RT (GBR)
173 JOUGHIN Ben
174 SIMMONS Alex
175 BOURNE Jonathan
176 LLOYD Ben

Crimson Orientation Mktg RT (GBR)
177 WOMERSLEY Jake
178 FYNN Tarn
179 HARRISON Elliot
180 THOMAS Alistair

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2016_ShuttVeloRapideAdvert

Where to see the 2019 race?

In 2019 the opportunities to view the race will be greater than ever. For the enthusiastic spectator the race is possibly the most spectator friendly races to ever watch. it is possible to see the race in between 15 – 20 places during its circuitous route between Oakham and Melton. And with the sponsorship this of the start area in Oakham by ‘Bills Bar’ and the finish area in Melton by ‘Melton BID’ more to do and see at each end of the race let alone in between!.

Suggestions:

1. The START in Oakham Town Centre (TEAM PRESENTATION AND interviews with the Race favourites ON THE RACE P[ODIUM FROM 10.15 UNTIL THE START AT 11.00, ‘Café Allez’ providing liquid refreshment and many giveawys to keep all entertained)

2. For those wishing to see the race’s first action of the race the top of Barnsdale Bank on the North Shore of Rutalnd Water as the riders this year lap the Water in reverse direction for the first time ever.

3. Or at the Stamford Road bypass island just outside Oakham to view the actual start.

4. NEW for 2019! It will be quick, with FIVE viewings in around 35 minutes, but Wymondham village will play host to the race on its new opening section. You will need to leave Oakham in advance of the race start to make it to Wymondham by just after 11 o’clock when the village will be closed down, but refreshments and entertainment will be there, and it is totally practical that having seen the race there, leaving via Stapleford and Leesthorpe, to get to Owston before the race arrives there for the first time. Why not give it a try? It will be AWESOME!!

5. Back then to Oakham Town Centre to see the Oakham Wines sprint be contested.

6. Then off quickly to the top of Cold Overton Road where the race route will now exit the new ‘special’ sector of ‘Barleyberg’, (Manor Lane.

7. The top of Cold Overton hill for the first King of the Hills climb.

8. In Somerby for the first passage of the race there.

9. Owston or Burrough on the Hill for the races many passages through those villages. At Owston enjoy the party atmosphere of the day, or enjoy a more relaxed view of the race from Grant’s Free House at Burrough over Sunday lunch and or a welcome drink.

10. 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 .

11. Stapleford Park to see the race traverse the two passages of the new off road sectors dissecting the beautiful parkland area.

12. Or at the entry or exit of the penultimate rough sector of the race at Sawgate Lane just on the edge of Melton.

13. in Melton town centre where following the local annual St Georges day parade the race will pass through the town and riders contest a sprint for the ‘Pork Pie’ sprint award donated by Dickenson & Morris, before commencing their finishing circuit via Burton Lazers and Stapleford Park.

14. At the FINISH in Sherrard Street.

Hot & cold drinks and snacks will be available at various locations on and around the course, not the least at the start and finish areas in Oakham and Melton town centres, and ‘al fresco’ BBQ style at Owston where a party atmosphere is always guaranteed, and where there will be a commentary point for much of the race.

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.

Have a great viewing day!

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