News: CiCLE Classic Ever Popular

A mini criterium replaces the Rutland Water loops and 46 teams already have applied to be part of the 2019 Edition of the CiCLE Classic – the 15th running of the race – latest news here

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

News: CiCLE Classic Ever Popular

The revised opening section of the Rutland – Melton International CiCLE Classic to take place on Sunday 28th April was officially launched on Monday in the organiser’s home village of Wymondham.

Click to view a larger version of this map

Once again, the first UK international race of the year the race is proving as popular as ever with no fewer than 46 teams already having indicated their wish to take part in the race. It is also noticeable that the number of foreign squads wishing to take part has increased significantly, although owing to budgetary constraints, no more than ten will be ultimately accepted.

“The quality of the foreign teams applying to enter this year is much higher” explained Race Director Colin Clews, who continued,” and it is gratifying to all involved with the race that the race’s reputation is so high throughout the cycling world and is continuing to grow year-on-year. We expect this year’s race to enhance that reputation and be the BEST edition yet, befitting a notable landmark in our 15th edition.”
… continued after advert

Going where no other race has gone before has always been a hallmark of the race and the revised course will simply add to that claim. Competitors will be aware of the ‘ins and outs’ at Owston that the CiCLE Classic has become famous for, but the inclusion of Wymondham will create something entirely different and new.

Following a change from the original route planned around Rutland Water owing to the proximity of a local horse race meeting the same day, the race will traverse the village of Wymondham five times in just 35 minutes, featuring firstly, two laps of 4.8 kms and then a further two of 6.5 kms. The potential affect being the insertion of a 35 minutes criterium race to enliven the first 50 kms of the race.

With two new hot spot sprints to fight for at Wymondham Windmill on the two initial laps of the village, action a plenty is expected, in addition to creating a new spectator location which, occurring so early in the race still allows anyone wishing to do so, to get to Owston ahead of the race’s first passage there.

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.

With so many teams wishing to take part in the race, and with just 176 riders able to be accepted, the organisers have set a target of around 20 teams only being able to field the maximum team size of SIX. The remainder assigned FOUR places each to ensure the widest possible representation by smaller British teams. This aim being something that the race has always wished to encourage. From the 26 teams currently forming those under this latter consideration, around 14/15 ‘Wildcards’ will be chosen on merit within the next few weeks.

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.
.. continued after advert

2016_ShuttVeloRapideAdvert

The CiCLE Classic, in addition to its place in the UCI Europe Tour, will also for 2019 become part of the inaugural LCT Euro Cup series alongside several prestigious European races. It is a pleasure to see Britain’s longest running single day event, the Lincoln GP, similarly listed in the full list of races forming the Euro Cup series shown below.

— Playa de Palma Challenge – Ciclista Mallorca (Spain) – 31 Jan, 4 Feb
— Volta Limburg Classic (Netherlands) – 6 Apr
— Rutland – Melton International CiCLE Classic (UK) – 28 April
— Lincoln Grand Prix (UK) – 12 May
— Gran Premio Città di Lugano (Switzerland) – 9 Jun
— VOO-Tour de Wallonie (Belgium) – 27,31 July
— Circuito de Getxo – Memorial Ricardo Otxoa (Spain) – 31 July
— Grote Prijs Stad Zottegem (Belgium) – 20 Aug
— Grand Prix de Wallonie (Belgium) – 18 Sep

• 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.

AlpsCyclesMidstory

Cycle Division’s Shop

Send your results as well as club, team & event news here

Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)

Other News on VeloUK

Tags: