This weekend: 18th CiCLE Classic UCI 1.2

Now in its 18th year, the Sigma Sports/ Schwalbe Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic is the race everyone wishes to win and sets off from Oakham on Sunday – here’s a preview and provisional startlist

This weekend: 18th CiCLE Classic UCI 1.2

Summary
– Oakham to Melton Mowbray
– Starts 11am
– 185km

Preview: 18th Edition Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic

Now in its 18th year, the Sigma Sports/ Schwalbe Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic shows no signs of losing its attraction to competitors and spectators alike. With 33 teams totalling 174 riders having entered this year’s race on Sunday 28th April, another exciting edition to rival those that have gone before looks possibly to surpass previous editions of Britain’ ONLY international one day race for Elite men.

Following a circuitous 185 kms route across Rutland and East Leicestershire from its start point in Oakham Town centre to its conclusion some five plus hours later in Melton town centre, the race is set to be the greatest challenge this year within the UK. Six foreign professional teams are listed for the event and will provide a particularly strong challenge to the otherwise British participants. With Trinity Racing who provided last year’s winner in Luke Lamperti opting to race in France instead, the remaining domestic teams are headed by Britain’s only other Internationally registered team,
Saint Piran, who have dominated the British domestic racing scene in recent times.

What may be lacking in numbers of foreign teams this year is, however, made up in quality. A new name to many in Britain until this year is Joe Blackmore, who nevertheless has burst onto the continental scene with seven victories already this year including events such as the Under 23’s version of the legendary Liege-Bastogne-liege race, as well as several major national tours as far afield as Taiwan and Rwanda.

“We continue to be proud that an event created out of a passion for the sport of cycling has developed into the biggest and most sought-after race to win on the British one-day calendar”, said Race Director Colin Clews. “Without a two-year break due to COVID restrictions, this would have been our 20th year and very few races other than long standing races such as the Lincoln Grand Prix can boast that longevity. That this has been possible in an area such as Rutland and Melton where top class sport is not otherwise overly available, is wonderful to see.

Seventeen nations will be represented in the 33 teams all of whom will be vying for a share of the overall £6500 plus on offer to those wishing to contest the prestigious king of the Bergs hills competition this year sponsored by MiSupplies, your workwear specialist. This competition will be contested over six registered climbs at Cold Overton, Burrough on the hill and Cuckoo Hill just outside Melton.

The race will start in Oakham town centre at 11.00 am after a formal presentation of the competing teams at the pre -race podium in Oakham Market square from 10.00am. Having been ‘flagged off’ by local dignitaries, the race route will then follow a course to Wymondham where the first of the 12 ‘special off road’ sectors for which the race is renowned, will be covered. With five passages of Wymondham village over just 35 minutes including two ascents of Butt Lane past Wymondham Windmill, the village serves as an ideal viewing point to the early part of the race.

Click to see a full size map | Learn about where the race goes when in VeloUK’s Guide

After repassing through Oakham, the race then heads to the first classified climb of the day at Cold Overton. That climb and the five to follow will be sponsored by Mi Supplies. Once again however, the ‘heart of the race’ will undoubtedly be Owston village where a main commentary point and enhanced facilities including a licenced bar, courtesy of Belgian Bier sponsor Kwaremont and the famous village BBQ can be found offering spectators entertainment and sustenance for several hours of viewing the racing. There will also be supporting activities in Owston promoted by Sigma Sports .

The village will also be the scene of several sprint prizes during the race, including the Grainstore (Oakham) sponsored award of a rider’s weight in beer.

The unique nature and character of the CiCLE Classic is unlike any other in Britain with its mixture of tarmac roads. and farm tracks including the majestic parkland of Stapleford Park on two occasions and its international status make the race one which many riders wish to add to their career records, but only a few are able to achieve this, with the winner each year requiring to haver luck, and technical ability as well as speed to master their fellow competitors and the course itself.

Before its first passage of Melton and the special ‘Dickinson & Morris ‘sponsored Pork Pie Sprint, the race then makes its way to Stapleford Estate Park where it returns for a second passage before reaching the finish line for the second and final time around 15.45.

Dan Fleeman winning in 2017

FORMER WINNERS

2023: Luke Lamperti
2022: Finn Crockett
2019: Colin Joyce
2018: Gabriel Cullaigh
2017: Dan Fleeman
2016: Conor Dunne
2015: Steele Von Hoff
2014: Thomas Moses
2013: Ian Wilkinson
2012: Alexander Blain
2011: Zakkari Dempster
2010: Michael Berling
2009: Ian Wilkinson
2008: Ciaran Power
2007: Malcolm Elliott
2006: Robin Sharman
2005: Scot Gamble

STARTLIST

SAINT PIRAN – GBR
1. Alexandar RICHARDSON GBR
2
3. Dylan HICKS GBR
4. Rowan BAKER GBR
5. Harry BIRCHILL GBR
6. Bradley SYMONDS GBR

Cycling Sheffield – GBR
7. James HARTLEY GBR
8. Matthew WARHURST GBR
9. Max KRASINSKI GBR
10. Jack HARTLEY GBR
11. David HIRD GBR
12. Sam CHAPLIN GBR

Parkhotel Valkenburg – NED
13. Mathis AVONDTS BEL
14. Vincent HOPPEZAK NED
15. Stef KONING NED
16. Mike SCHUCH NED
17. Niek VOOGT NED
18. Lars HOHMANN NED

Israel Premier Tech Academy
19. Joseph BLACKMORE GBR
20. Pier-André CÔTÉ CAN
21. Pau MARTI SORIANO ESP
22. Rotem TENE ISR
23. Luke VALENTI CAN
24. Emry FAINGEZICHT ISR

WPG Amsterdam Racing Academy – NED
25. Koos Jeroen KERS NED
26. Niels REEMIJER NED
27. Bas VAN BELLE NED
28. Raymond SPLINTER NED
29. Lucas VAN HEMERT NED
30. Quinten VELING NED

Team PB Performance – GBR
31. Jacques COATES GBR
32. Sam LLEWELYN GBR
33. Adam CHARLESTON GBR
34. Thomas CHARLES GBR
35. Harry PAVELEY GBR
36. Tobi NG GBR

Novapor Speedbike Team -MKD
37. Ross LAMB GBR
38. Lukas Sulaj KLOPPENBORG ALB
39. Igor HALICKI POL
40. Jorre DEBAELE BEL
41. Glen VAN NUFFELEN BEL
42. Oliver ROBINSON GBR

BC South West Region – GBR
43. Jack SOUTHCOTT GBR
44. Jack JEE GBR
45. Oscar PRATT GBR
46. Thomas GELATI GBR
47. Charles MCFALL RSA

Torres-Trigon – ESP
49. Elian MORALES ARG
50
51. Enrique HERRERO ESP
52. Adrian GARCIA ESP
53. Callum TWELVES GBR
54. Ismael CARMONA ESP

Xspeed United Continental – CAN
55. Matthew KING GBR
56. George RADCLIFFE GBR
57. Matthew DOBBINS IRL
58. Declan KELLY CAN
59. Dylan HUMBER-KELLY GBR
60. Leo DOYLE IRL

Scotland – GBR
61 Jacob SMITH GBR
62 Ross BIRRELL GBR
63 Calum MOIR GBR
64 Charlie ALDRIDGE GBR
65 Ciaran MC SHERRY GBR
66 Aaron KING GBR

BC East Midlands Region Carter-Legrand – GBR
67. Adam LEWIS GBR
68. Freddy PETT GBR
69. Joe HOWCROFT GBR
70. Lucas JOWETT GBR
71. Damien CLAYTON GBR
72. Owen LIGHTFOOT GBR

Thriva-SRCT – GBR
73. Matthew ELLIS GBR
74. Tom WILLIAMS GBR
75. William TRUELOVE GBR
76. Joseph BECKINGSALE GBR
77. Benjamin BRIGHT GBR
78. Jake JACKSON GBR

Spirit TBW Stuart Hall Cycling- GBR
79. Alexander BOSLEY GBR
80. Jamie WHITCHER GBR
81. George KIMBER GBR
82. William PERRETT GBR
83. Matthew HOULBERG GBR
84 Ethan ROWELL GBR

Richardsons Trek DAS – GBR
85. Cai DAVIES GBR
86. Matt LORD GBR
87. Alex PETERS GBR
88. Peter COCKER GBR
89. Jordan GILES GBR
90. Alexander PRITCHARD GBR

HUUB BCC Race Team – GBR
91. George STEPHEN GBR
92. Zak MACHIN GBR
93. Tobias BARTLETT GBR
94. Sebastian GARRY GBR
95. Josh HOUSLEY GBR
96. Dan GALPIN GBR

Shibden-A.Fawcett RT – GBR
97. Will THOMPSON GBR
98. Euan CAMERON GBR
99. Jake EDWARDS GBR
100. Jack LUCAS GBR
101. Joe SHILLABEER GBR
102. Matthew JONES GBR

Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli -GBR
103. Tim SHOREMAN GBR
104. Tom MARTIN GBR
105. Lee ROSIE GBR
106. Callum LABORDE GBR
107. Joseph SMITH GBR
108. Thomas ARMSTRONG GBR

BC South East Region pb Sigma Sport – GBR
109. Ryan CHRISTENSEN NZL
110. Benjamin HELLEBO NOR
111. Oliver RICHARDSON GBR
112. Mattie DODD GBR
113. Daniel MCQUILLAN GBR
114. Michael WEAVERS GBR

Project 1 Cycling Team – GBR
115. Thomas MEIN GBR
116. Jenson BROWN GBR
117. Ben MARSH GBR
118. Logan MACLEAN GBR
119. Adam KELLY IRL
120. Hamish ARMITT GBR

Spectra Racing – GBR
121. Edward MORGAN GBR
122. Frederik SCHESKE GER
123. Daniel BARNES GBR
124
125. Toby BARNES GBR
126. Jenson YOUNG GBR

Ribble Rebellion – GBR
127. Ruben APERS BEL
128. Max RUSHBY GBR
129. Tom COUZENS GBR
130. Fergus ROBINSON GBR

HAC Halesowen A&CC-Mapei -GBR
131. Luke HARRIS GBR
132. Patrick FOTHERINGHAM GBR
133. Luke BRENNAN GBR
134. Otto CHILTON GBR

SGT Stolen Goat Racing Team -GBR
135. Oli HURDLE GBR
136. Callum SLADE GBR
137. Thomas HEAL GBR
138. Gabriel DELLER GBR

LEADOUT Performance /Team North East – GBR
139. Jack REES GBR
140. Sean DODSWORTH GBR
141. Ben ETHERINGTON GBR
142. Alex LUHRS GBR

The Cycling Academy – GBR
143. Callum SALISBURY GBR
144. Finn MCHENRY GBR
145. Louis MOORE GBR
146. Callum REID GBR

Moonglu Race Team – GBR
147. Will TAYLOR GBR
148. Ben MEWES GBR
149. Jonny BRITTON GBR
150. Carl STUBBS GBR

Ride Revolution Coaching – GBR
151. Gabriel TAYLOR GBR
152. Jake HALES GBR
153. Matthew WILSON GBR
154. Matthew WATSON GBR

Beeston Road Club – GBR
155. Sam WALSHAM GBR
156. James ALEXANDER GBR
157. Alex GALPIN GBR
158. Adam MILLINGTON GBR

Mud Dock RT – GBR
159. William JEWITT GBR
160. Felix SKELTON GBR
161. Joshua HORSFIELD GBR
162. George WHITLOCK GBR

trainSharp Orro Elite – GBR
163. Danylo RIWNYJ GBR
164. Sam SHEPHERD GBR
165. Tim TORRIE GBR
166. Tom MAZZONE GBR

TEKKERZ – GBR
167. Alec BRIGGS GBR
168. Rob SCOTT GBR
169. Joe HOLT GBR
170. Benjamin TUCHNER GBR

TAAP Kalas – GBR
171. Harry MACFARLANE GBR
172. Jamie PULLEN GBR
173. Lance CHILDS GBR
174. Cameron MCLAREN GBR

The day prior, a special all comers Sportif rides of 50 and 100 kms from the Sigma Sports shop in South Street, Oakham which will offer the opportunity for 200 plus riders to take in sections of the CiCLE Classic route ridden by the Pro’s the following day.

Major sponsors of the CiCLE Classic are Sigma Sports and Schwalbe UK, with additional support from Carter Legrand Wealth Strategies, Melton BID, Metaltek Engineering, , Kwaremont Bier, Mi Supplies, GSG Cycle Clothing, Pearces Jewellers, The Grainstore Brewery, Manor Farm feeds, A&R Signs, Newstyle Print, Oakham Wines, Wymondham Windmill, and Dickinson & Morris. To each of these companies and entities the organisation we are indebted, as without such support the event could not take place.