East Midlands International CiCLE Classic
(Rutland - Melton)
 The peleton exits the Owston Manor
special sector during the 2007 CiCLE Classic in front of a large an appreciative crowd.
Owston; the little village with a big 'heart', - "Cycling Weekly" 3rd May 2007
Essential Guide to the CiCLE Classic
It is hard to believe that in only the five years that the CiCLE Classic has existed that it has moved from being a promising new event on the British cycle racing calendar, to possibly the most attractive new one day race for many years to enter the international scene.
What makes it so attractive is its unique character and course; a blend of wide roads around Rutland Water; possibly the major tourist centre in the East Midlands; to narrow and treacherous farm tracks more reminiscent of those to be found in the Spring 'classic races' in northern France and Belgium.
That the race has made such an impact upon the Brtish road racing scene can be gauged from the following comments made concerning the 2006 edition of the race.
(Mike Perry, proprieter of Maestro UK and team sponsor))
(Cycling Weekly Magazine)
(RoadCyclingUK.com)
(CyclingNews.com)
(Team Managers comments)
(Spectators letter to Cycling Weekly)
(Rob Hayles, double World Cycling Champion 2005)
With the race in 2010 once again being Britain's ONLY single day international road race, can you afford to miss it??
When and where is it happening?
Sunday 25th April 2010
Start: Market Place, Oakham town centre, 11 am
Finish: Sherrard Street, Melton Mowbray, approx 3 pm
Who's racing?
In 2005, the CiCLE Classic had 110 entries, while in 2006 the race organisation accepted 150 entries from the 193 received and in 2007 156 riders started from 182 accepted from the 242 received. In 2008 and 2009 the race broke new ground with 200 riders accepted with a maximum of 180 riders being allowed to take the start. This figure gives the race the largest ever field in Britain outside of either a World Championship or World Cup race.
In the past three years the field has included World and Commonwealth Games Champions, as well as Olympic medallists. In 2006 the flavour of international racing was provided by the inclusion of the Australian based FRF Couriers -Caravello team. In 2009 eight full continental based teams took part with each making a significant contribution to a very active day of racing as did the five teams accepted to the race in 2007and 2008 . Whilst during its first three editions the race formed part of the British Cycling Premier Calendar, in 2008 the CiCLE Classic was removed from this competition by British Cycling on the grounds that it was an international race. In 2010 the race will again stand alone as Britain's ONLY international (UCI Europe Tour)one day road race. For any British rider with ambition, the race will once again be THE race to win, and with a planned participation of TEN foreign based teams this is likely to become a far more difficult task than previously although Halfords Bikehut rider Ian Wilkinson proved in 2009 that it is not impossible. 2008 saw the very first foreign winner in the form of former Giro D'Italia competitor Kieren Power of the Irish Republic, and in 2009 the race saw the participation of former Paris-Roubaix winner Magnus Backstedt of Sweden.. It is hoped that the event will once again be filmed and televised by British Eurosport.
Where shall I go and watch?
There will be lots of great vantage points on the route.
At the start and finish, there will be various cycling and sport related activities, including ‘Go Ride’ type skill activities for children sponsored by the East Midlands Development Agency and Mars (UK). In Oakham ton centre there will once again be an accompanying Italian Fair to entertain specatators afte before the race start and while they await the riders return from two laps of Rutland Water.
For a village fete atmosphere, try Owston or Burrough on the Hill, both of which are visited by the race several times. In Owston, there will be a barbeque and teas at the village hall, and also toilet facilities and parking! There will also be regular announcements from the race commentator who will be taking up their vantage point in Owston, as the riders come through the village no less than six times. In Burrough on the Hill, the Stag and Hounds is well placed to see the race several times as it laps the village.
Main points on route and approximate times:
Will roads be closed?
To protect the cyclists and members of the public there will be road closures in operation along the route, including a 20 minute road closure on the main road into Melton. Other routes of entry into the town will be closed to traffic in either direction 10 minutes before the leading riders reach the outskirts of the town.
Spectators are advised to plan their arrival at their preferred viewing spot well ahead of the scheduled time of arrival of the race, to ensure they are able to take their positions.
Where can I find out more?
A full copy of the course is provided under "The route of the Classic 2010"
Information on the preparations and results as they are known will be posted here! Check out the 'news' section for more information on the race.
|