News: CiCLE Classic Back on June 27

The CiCLE Classic for Women and Junior Men will be hosted by Melton Mowbray on June 27 when the town is poised to lead the country back to some measure of ‘normalisation’ as it stages the first major cycle races on the road to take place in Britain in 2021.

News: CiCLE Classic Back on June 27

Melton Mowbray, and CiCLE Classics show the way ahead!

Photo: SWPix – Emily Nelson, a former world champion in the Madison, was the last winner of the Women’s CiCLE Classic in 2019

Former winners of the Women’s Race

2016: Rebecca Durrell
2017: Katie Archibald
2018: Neah Evans
2019: Emily Nelson (RST/Cycle Division RT)

Former winners of the Junior Men’s race
2019: Samuel Watson
2018: Alfred George
2017: William Tidball
2016: Reece Wood
2015: Nathan Draper (Cero – Cycle Division Racing)
2014: James Shaw

Following a near 18 months cessation of cycle racing on the open roads of Britain owing to the COVID 19 pandemic, the host town for the Women’s and Junior CiCLE Classic – Melton Mowbray – is poised to lead the country back to some measure of ‘normalisation’ when the town looks to stage the first major cycle races on the road to take place in Britain in 2021.

It was announced this week that a ‘green light’ has been given to plans for the prestigious Elite Women’s CiCLE Classic race along with its accompanying Junior Men’s race to take place on Sunday 27th June. Both races which start and finish in Melton’s town centre form part of British Cycling’s National road race series for their respective categories.

With lockdown restrictions currently expected to be lifted on 21st June, the two CiCLE Classics will be the first National Series level races to take place in Britain this year, although several smaller ‘trial’ events under COVID protocols will have taken place by that time. The first Road Race since late March 2020 was held on April 18.

“With the forced cancellation of the International Elite Men’s Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic in April for a second year, we are delighted British Cycling has shown confidence in our organisation to allow the Women’s and Junior Men’s races to go ahead so soon after lockdown has hopefully been lifted”, said Race Director Colin Clews.

He continued, ”Having only been held four times to date, the Women’s CiCLE Classic has already gained an enviable reputation with three of those editions having been won by either a reigning World or Olympic champion. As such, it is considered a highlight of the UK Women’s calendar and with so little racing to date, we are expecting a particularly strong and competitive entry to both that and the accompanying Junior Men’s race.”

Both events have already been the subject of significant consultation with sponsors and partners and remain dependent upon the Government ‘Roadmap’ continuing in a favourable direction. In accordance with the resumption of other sports over the coming months, both races, and all those participating and spectating etc will continue to be subject to stringent protocols and controls to ensure that the current Government advice and guidance pertaining at that time are followed.

Speaking for British Cycling, Head of Sport and Major Events, Jonathan Day, said: “We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Colin and the wider Women’s and Junior men’s CiCLE Classic organising team for all of their efforts to ensure that this year’s event goes ahead, despite the continued uncertainty of Covid-19.”

Entries for both events will be available via the British Cycling online system from 30th April. Details can also be found there concerning the selection criteria for the Junior Men’s race, which will provide some greater flexibility on this occasion as a result of the long cessation of racing last year and early this year.

Together with the above events, over the same weekend, the rescheduled Rutland CiCLE Tour sportif rides, organised by Velo29, will take place on Saturday 26th June. These rides are also expected to be well subscribed, providing once again the opportunity for ‘all comers’ to ride the roads which the Elite level competitors will cover the following day. Entries to the CiCLE Tour can be made at: www.Velo29events.com

The Women’s CiCLE Classic will once again be sponsored by Peter Stanton, with support From Melton Bid, Schwalbe UK and Duvel (Belgian Beer). Additional local sponsors are expected to be announced in due course. Given the nature of the pandemic and period that has elapsed since the races were last held, a number of usual volunteers at the race have been lost during the cessation. Most notably Tony Palmer, well known to many in Melton, together with Brian Newton from Gainsborough, and most recently Stuart Shaw the coordinator of the East Midlands National Escort Group who provide safe passage for the race.

“There are always places and roles available for anyone wishing to volunteer to help at our races“ said Race Director Colin Clews, “Clothing, and all required equipment, PPE and packed lunch are provided as will be full instructions to anyone wishing to join the organisational team. Anyone interested will be made more than welcome and guaranteed a FUN day.” Interest can be expressed by e mail to cicleclassics@gmail.com