NEWS FOR FEBRUARY

EVANS CYCLES SOUTH EAST SERIES

Following the agreement of sponsorship from EVANS CYCLES, there will be a new road race series in the south east of the UK for 2003 which will be known as the 'EVANS CYCLES SOUTH EAST SERIES'. The aim of the series is to provide a bridge between the existing extensive League based programme of 2nd cat racing and national level Elite and Premier Calendar racing for riders within the South East Region and to provide regular racing in the region at this level through the season.

BACKGROUND
The last decade has seen the demise of a number of good quality single day races on challenging courses and in their absence, there is a gap in the calendar for the rider aiming to move up from 2nd category to first or even Elite. It is hoped that the Series will provide a stepping stone for these riders and generate interest in new promoters to replace those races lost.

CONCEPT
A 10 event series of single day races based on pre-established events spaced through the season from March to October. Each event to maintain it's own independent prize list with the Series to be based on an overall points table. The model for the series is the UCI World Cup series and it is planned to award a Series leaders jersey from round to round.

CALENDAR
Round 1 March Dulwich Primavera (2.3.03)
Round 2 March Hounslow Spring (23.3.03)
Round 3 April Fred Cowley (27.4.03)
Round 4 May Bec CC (11.5.03)
Round 5 June John Sergeant Mem (22.6.03)
Round 6 July tbc (13.7.03)
Round 7 July Twickenham Midweek (23.7.03)
Round 8 August Surrey League Open Champs (3.8.03)
Round 9 September Les Ingman (14.9.03)
Round 10 October tbc (say 5 or 12.10.03)

ENTRY
Entry to be based on individual event criteria (at least Elites, 1st & 2nd categories) with individual race prizes open as usual. Eligibility for the Series to be only to British Cycling South East registered riders.

RANKING
To be on a points basis for each round towards final overall table. No minimum number of qualifying rounds.

POINTS TO BE AWARDED PER ROUND
1st 100 pts, 2nd 75 pts, 3rd 50 pts, 4th 30 pts, 5th 25 pts, 6th 22 pts, 7th 20 pts, 8th 18 pts, 9th 16 pts, 10th 14 pts, 11th 12 pts, 12th 10 pts, 13th 9 pts, 14th 8 pts, 15th 7 pts, 16th 6 pts, 17th 5 pts, 18th 4 pts, 19th 3 pts, 20th 2 pts, 21st - 25th 1 pt each.

PROVISIONAL OVERALL PRIZE LIST
Subject to confirmation of a sponsor for the Series, this is not finalised but it is hoped to have an overall total prize fund of approximately �2,500 and a potential overall 1st place prize in the region of �500.

ORIGINATOR
The Series is based on an idea by Tim Lawn and has been developed in conjunction with representatives of the British Cycling South East Division.