LifeCiCLE  sports & Health

East Midlands International CiCLE Classic

Sunday 27^th April 2008

TECHNICAL GUIDE

Article 1. Organisation

The East Midlands International CiCLE Classic (Rutalnd - Melton) is organised by the British Cycling Federation registered Sporting Group LifeCiCLE under the regulations of the Union Cycliste Internationale.

The race distance will be 160 kms. (100 miles)

The race will take place on Sunday 27^th April 2008 starting at 11.00 a.m.

The race is essentially a place to place event starting in the town centre of Oakham, the county town of Rutland, and finishing in the town centre of nearby Melton Mowbray. The direct distance between these two towns is approximately 16 kms. (10 miles)

Race Director: Colin L Clews

                        Sporting Group LifeCiCLE

                        “Roubaix, Spring Lane,

                         WYMONDHAM

                         Nr. Melton Mowbray

                         Leicestershire, LE14 2AY

                         Great Britain

                         e.mail; colin.l.clews@btinternet.com

                         Telfax; +44 (0) 1572 787726

                         Mobile: +44 (0) 7979 856262 

The event is accorded UCI Class 1.2 status, and in accordance with article 2.10.11 of the UCI regulations, points will be awarded to the first 8 finishers as follows towards the UCI individual rankings:

40 – 30 – 16 – 12 – 10 – 8 – 6 – 3

In 2008 the event will not form part of the British Cycling Federation’s Premier Calendar series and will not offer points for qualifying riders towards the overall standings of that domestic competition.

Article 4. Race Headquarters

Saturday 26^th April 2008

-The Thistle Hotel, Nottingham East Midlands Airport.

14.00 - 17.00  Rider/officials registration, licence check  and number/accreditation collection.

19.00  Official Race reception

Sunday 27^th April 2008

Pre race

- Vale of Catmose College Sports Centre, Cold Overton Road, Oakham.

              (NB. Team and rider ONLY on Saturday afternoon)

10.45  All vehicles to be in place at the start, Oakham Market Place.

11.00  Official Start, Oakham, Market Place.

ALL riders are requested to be at the Official Start point by no later than 10.30 a.m.

N.B.Various supporting activities will be taking place this year in and around the start area, so parking for non official race vehicles will be severely restricted. It is recommended that spectators and non race convoy personnel park their vehicles in the Burley Road car park. (left at the mini roundabout immediately after the turn for the Market Place. 2 minutes walk.)

TOILETS are available at the rear of Oakham Castle building, which is immediately adjacent to The Butter Cross, and accessed from The Market Place. PLEASE ENSURE THAT BOTH YOURSELF AND YOUR HELPERS USE ONLY THIS FACILITY AT AND AROUND THE START AREA. ANY RIDER NOT COMPLYING WITH THIS REQUEST WILL BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE RACE.

-          King Edward VII Sports Centre, Burton Road, Melton Mowbray.

      (approximately  1.5 kms (1 mile) before the finish line) 

Article 5. Radio Tour

Radio Tour will be provided via a CB channel or private channel radio system to be to be notified and confirmed at the DriversTeam Managers meeting.

Article 6. Prizes awarded for the finish placings

All overall race prize awards will be in accordance with the tables as indicated for a UCI Class 1.2 race as set out in the 2008 Financial Obligations document.

Article 7. King of the Hills competition

The King of the Hills competition will be contested over four climbs during the race as follows:

-          Cold Overton Hill at 56 kms (35 miles)

-          Burrough-on-the-Hill at 73 kms (45.6 miles)

-          Burrough-on-the-Hill at 97 kms  (61.0 miles)

-          Burrough-on-the-Hill at 113 kms (70.6 miles)

5, 3, 2, and 1 points will be awarded to the first FOUR riders at each hill prime line, in addition to cash prizes of £25, £15, £10 and £5. The rider accumulating the most points from the above climbs will be awarded in addition the title of ‘King of the Hills’ and £100.

In the case of equality of points, the greatest number of first, second, third, and fourth places will be examined to achieve an outright winner of the competition.

Article 8. Hot Spots competition

Hot Spot sprints will be held at the following points within the race.

-          Oakham Town Centre, adjacent to Victoria Hall.  45.6 kms. (28.5 miles)

-          Owston Village Centre, adjacent to Manor Farm 119 kms ( 74.3 miles)

-          Owston Village Centre, adjacent to Manor Farm 129 kms ( 80.6 miles)

Prizes of £50, £25, and £15 will be awarded to the first three riders respectively passing each point.

Artcle 9. Time limit

To ensure that the race at all early stages of the race meets with the strict arrangements agreed with the local authorities and Police for road closures, various time limits and cut off points for riders will be operated as follows.

- End of second lapentry to Oakham at 46 kms (29 miles)        FIVE minutes.

- Third passageentry to Owston at 96 kms  (60 miles)               EIGHT minutes.

- Third passageentry to Stygate Lane at  144 kms (90 miles)    TWELVE minutes.

Any competitor in excess of the above deficits either before reaching or passing the above points will be advised by the ‘Broom Wagon’ Commissaire (Last vehicle on the race) that they are no longer within the protected area of the road, and should make their own way to the Post race HQ under 'normal' road traffic conditions. No rider passed by the ‘Broom Wagon’ will be placed in the final race classification.

In the event of having been passed by the ‘Broom Wagon’, no such rider MUST pass the Finish Line under any circumstances whatsoever.

All riders withdrawing from the race should immediately remove their numbers.

Article 10. Anti-doping tests

Any Anti-doping control held in connection with the CiCLE Classic will take place at the post race HQ at King Edward VII Sports Centre, Burton Road, Melton Mowbray. All riders required to attend the control will be posted on the finish line and also outside the room used for the control at the post race HQ.

Article 11. Official ceremony

The first three riders to finish the race, together with the winner of the ‘King of the Hills’ and any other secondary classification will be required to attend the immediate post finish presentation and awards ceremony performed on the podium at the finish line.   

Article 12. Penalties

All penalties applied to riders, helpers or officials will be in accordance with those currently laid down in the 2008 regulations of the UCI.

Article 13, specific instructions and regulations.

N.B. The Start and Finish points are approximately 10 miles apart.

Whilst cars may be parked at the pre-race HQ during the day, ALL clothing and belongings should be removed from the building prior to departure for the official start in Oakham Town Centre.

Upon registration for the event, in addition to receiving race numbers ALL riders will receive a baggage tag with their race number written on it. Any rider without helpers should deposit their clothing bag, with the tag attached, with Bill Vetcher. (Competitors Transport Manager.)at the entrance to the pre-race HQ before leaving for the official start. All such bags will then be transported to the post race HQ.

Any rider requiring to be given transport back to Oakham to collect their cars after the race should also sign the additional sheet at the registration desk at the pre-race HQ.

THE COURSE.

The race route has been designed to provide a ‘Paris-Roubaix’ style of race and challenge. It cannot therefore be stressed enough that the minor roads used for the last 60 or so miles of the race are extremely rough, potholed and broken, and likely to be well coated with the usual materials expected of out of the way rural roads. Unlike ‘Paris-Roubaix’ however, the course is not flat, and is interspersed with frequent short sharp climbs similar to the route of the ‘Tour of Flanders’.

The special sectors occur as follows:

-Sector  11   Stygate-                           (500mts)      at  64 kms      ( category   1-Sector  10   Newbold                          (1300mts)    at  71 kms      ( category   1)

-Sector  9  Owston Manor                   (800 mts)    at  80 kms        ( category   3)

-Sector   8   Stygate (reverse)             (500 mts)      at  84 kms      ( category   1)

-Sector   7   Owston Manor                   (800 mts)    at  103 kms    ( category   3)

-Sector   4   Newbold                           (1380 mts)    at 120 kms     ( category   1)

-Sector   2   Stygate (reverse)               (500 mts)     at  136 kms    ( category   1)

-Sector   1  Sawgate Lane                     (700 mts)     at  157 kms    ( category  3)

Sector categorisation.

Category 1

Metalled, narrow, single track road, with possible deteriorating surface and possible grass along the centre.

Category 2

Metalled, narrow, single track road, well sprinkled with potholes. Road edges rough, and sections likely to have a coating of mud and gravel depending upon prevailing weather conditions.

Category 3

Broken concrete surface, or predominantly gravel tracks likely to be heavily potholed and lose in places, especially on the corners.

Category 4

Originally metalled road, but not resurfaced for over 60 years. Although a public road, now only used by farm vehicle traffic, tarmac that remains is of very poor condition, and large gaps and potholes predominant over the vast majority of its length. This sector also includes a climb, short and steep at 107 kms, and a longer dragging ascent at 130 kms.

Very light tyres are not recommended, although most good race quality ‘clincher’ tyres are fully capable of completing the course with minimal problems.

Whilst the above 12 special sectors are particularly highlighted for your safety, and their start  will be clearly marked, the road surface conditions of other parts of the route are also very poor. Riders should therefore avoid riding at the edge of the road once on the smaller roads.  Please note that Sectors 11, 8 and 2 (Stygate) has been considerably shortened this year due to recent ‘inconsiderate’ resurfacing work by Leicestershire Highways. Attention is also drawn to the descent of marefield Lane shortly after Burrough-on-the-Hill on each of the small circuits, Marefield Lane contains a badly surfaced descent, with a very sharp and roughly surfaced bend at the bottom. ALL riders should exercise extreme caution on this descent, especially when the bunch is still relatively compact in the early stages of the race.

The race will take place on closed roads throughout, and every effort is being made to ensure that this is absolute, particularly on the minor roads. However, should you find yourself behind the main group and convoy, please be aware that you may encounter moving civilian vehicles, and that it is therefore your personal responsibility to take all usual measures for your own safety and that of other road users.

There is also an active and much used level crossing on the course on leaving Oakham at around 29 miles. This comes immediately after the Welland SSP Hot  spot sprint in the town. Trains will be running on race day, and therefore a potential stoppage cannot be ruled out. Should the crossing be closed ALL riders affected MUST STOP, and the Technical Regulations covering this matter will be applied by the race commissaires.

THE FINISH

The finish is in the main street (Sherrard Street) in the heart of Melton Mowbray. From the final (Sector 1) exit of Sawgate Lane there is a very fast descent into Melton. The 200mts to go is shortly before a sharp right hand bend into the finish straight.

Spectator parking is available in either Mill Street or Chapel Street close to the finish line. Please note however, that the main access to either of these areas, ie: Burton Road (A606), is the route used by the race, and this will be closed to traffic in either direction 10 minutes before the leading riders reach the outskirts of the town.

Feeding.

An official (Science in Sport) FEED Zone will be available on the small circuit to be used between Owston and Burrough-on-the Hill. The race will pass this point three times; at approximately 72, 111 and 120 kms.(If the route has to be amended as above, then a 4^th passage of the feed zone will take place at 145kms) Access to this zone will be available either from the Owston direction prior to the race reaching the circuit for the first time at approximately 12.30, or via the small road from Somerby. Maps giving directions will be available at registration. ALL cars using the feed zone MUST be parked off the road. Please take care when parking at this point. Thank you.

Other feeding, especially that from cars will be at the discretion of the race commissaires as usual from 50 kms. covered, until 20 kms.before the finish.

Following team and neutral service vehicles etc wishing to move to a forward group once the race is on the Owston circuit, may do so by turning left on entry to the village. Race marshals have been briefed to expect this detour to be used to assist the movement of race vehicles forward which might otherwise prove extremely difficult to achieve.

Final note from the Race Director.

The East Midlands CiCLE Classic (Rutland-Melton) is different, and unique as far as British races are concerned. The first three editions of the race showed however, that it is a true test of both man and machine. The course in particular has to be given respect. Once on the small roads it is almost everyman for himself. The result is a race once experienced, will never be forgotten. I hope that you will enjoy what we have on offer for you. I am sure that you will help us make the race the sporting spectacle that it presents. Have a good, safe race one and all.