News: Another Circuit Series Round Added to Calendar

NEW RACE! The Dudley Grand Prix on July 14 added to National Elite Circuit Series for Men and Women

News: Another Circuit Series Round Added to Calendar

The Dudley Grand Prix bring organised by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Stoubridge Cycling Club and Generation Pro Cycle Events, will be the fourth round of this year’s Elite Circuit series.

The event builds on the success of last year’s Commonwealth Games in the region and coincides with Black Country Day celebrations taking place in the borough. Confirmation of the event follows last week’s announcement that Guildford will host the third round of the series on Wednesday 5 July, and the addition of the East Cleveland Classic to the men’s and women’s National Road Series on Sunday 1 October.

The circuit will run on roads around the town centre on a route which will total just over 1km and will be designed to minimise disruption to the road network. Chris Lawrence (Generation Pro Cycle Events), organiser of the Newark town centre events (and events at Barnsley too), said: “The Dudley Grand Prix will continue to build on our #inspirethenextgeneration ethos. It will give racing opportunities and a major platform of a National Circuit Series event for riders from the age of 10, right up to Olympic and world champions to shine and showcase how exciting the UK racing scene can be.”

The Dudley Grand Prix will be a Friday evening’s racing around Dudley Town Centre on the 14th July 2023.

– 4.00pm – The Ceremonial Opening followed by the Dudley Community Ride
– 5.00pm – Under 12s racing for 15 Minutes
– 5.30pm – Under 14s racing for 20 Minutes
– 6.00pm – Under 16s racing for 25 Minutes
– 6.35pm – Regional / Amateurs race for 45 Minutes
– 7.30pm – Women’s National Circuit Series Finale 50 mins
– 8.30pm – Men’s National Circuit Series Finale for 50 mins

Lee Wood of Stourbridge Cycling Club, said: “Being born and bred in Dudley, I was thrilled with last year’s Commonwealth Games and approached the council about the possibility of this kind of event. I’m so pleased that with the support of British Cycling and Dudley Council, we’ve been able to turn our dream into a reality and we’re now really looking forward to supporting on the event planning and making it a huge success.”

British Cycling’s Acting Cycling Delivery Director, Jonathan Day, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome the Dudley Grand Prix to our National Circuit Series calendar, and would like to extend our thanks to organiser Chris Lawrence, Dudley Council and Stourbridge Cycling Club for their vital support in making it happen. Last year’s Commonwealth Games was a fantastic moment for the wider West Midlands region, and I know that the event team will do a fantastic job to build on that inspiration and signpost people to local opportunities to ride.”

Councillor Patrick Harley, Leader of Dudley Council, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for Dudley and we’re thrilled to be hosting elite sports again in the borough on the back of the success of last year’s Commonwealth Games cycling time-trials held in the borough. Last year, we saw thousands of people line the streets to take in the action and we’re hopeful that this event will give local people plenty to be excited about so they can visit the town and see world class sports on the doorstep. This national level event will help raise the profile even further of the Black Country Day as it will be a key event as part of our celebrations throughout the month of July to celebrate the culture and heritage of the area.”

Whilst full details of the event are yet to be finalised, it is expected to run from late afternoon and will offer the community the chance to get involved on their bikes before the elite racing takes centre stage.

For further details on the event, please see www.dudleygrandprix.com

Full national road calendar:

National Championships
• National Time Trial Championships, Croft Circuit – Wednesday 21 June
• National Circuit Race Championships, Redcar – Friday 23 June
• National Road Race Championship, Saltburn – Sunday 25 June

Women’s National Circuit Series
• Round 1: The Santini Otley Women’s Grand Prix, Yorkshire – Wednesday 28 June
• Round 2: The Ilkley Cycle Races, Yorkshire – Friday 30 June
• Round 3: Guildford Town Centre Races, Surrey – Wednesday 5 July
• Round 4: Dudley Grand Prix, West Midlands – Friday 14 July
• Round 5: Sheffield Grand Prix, Yorkshire – Wednesday 19 July
• Round 6: Newark Town Centre Races, East Midlands – Friday 28 July

Men’s National Circuit Series
• Round 1: Property Development Group Otley Men’s GP, Yorkshire – Wednesday 28 June
• Round 2: The Ilkley Cycle Races, Yorkshire – Friday 30 June
• Round 3: Guildford Town Centre Races, Surrey – Wednesday 5 July
• Round 4: Dudley Grand Prix, West Midlands – Friday 14 July
• Round 5: Sheffield Grand Prix, Yorkshire – Wednesday 19 July
• Round 6: Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix, North West – Tuesday 25 July
• Round 7: Newark Town Centre Races, East Midlands – Friday 28 July

Men’s National Road Series
• Round 1: Men’s Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix (Completed)
• Round 2: Lancaster Grand Prix, North West – Sunday 16 July
• Round 3: Ryedale Grasscrete Men’s Grand Prix, Yorkshire – Sunday 20 August
• Round 4: The Beaumont Trophy, North East – Sunday 17 September
• Round 5: The East Cleveland Classic – Sunday 1 October

Women’s National Road Series
• Round 1: The ANEXO/CAMS 7th Women’s CiCLE Classic (Completed)
• Round 2: Women’s Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix (Completed)
• Round 3: Lancaster Grand Prix, North West – Sunday 16 July
• Round 4: Ryedale Grasscrete Women’s Grand Prix, Yorkshire – Sunday 20 August
• Round 5: The Curlew Cup, North East – Sunday 17 September
• Round 6: The East Cleveland Classic – Sunday 1 October

UCI events
• Rutland – Melton CiCLE Classic (Completed)
• RideLondon Classique – 26-28 May
• 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, Road – 5-13 August
• Tour of Britain – 3-10 September