CYCLING NEWS

| NEWS CENTRE| RESULTS | PHOTOS | INTERVIEWS | FREE CLASSIFIEDS |

ARCHER INTERNATIONAL GRAND PRIX

Sunday, March 30, 2003 -- THE FIRST big cycling event of the year takes place this weekend, the Archer International Grand Prix. In a season where the year is packed with big events such as the star studded Good Friday meeting, the UCI World MTB Cup event at Fort William and a host of major road races, this weekend is where the season really gets going.

What a finish! Last years finish between Kevin Dawson and Gordon McCauley with the Kiwi champion winning it for the second time. Picture by Gerry McManus

To celebrate this week, we've had interviews with a number of the riders expected to do well this Sunday, such as Mark Lovatt, Kevin Dawson and today's interview, John Tanner. On a sad note, our thoughts go out to one of the riders down to ride, Dan Fleeman (Team Lichfield), but not now riding because of a serious car accident. I remember myself being hospitalised the day before the Archer one year and to add insult to injury, being put in Stoke Mandeville which is only a few miles from the course of the main event. So get well soon Dan.

On a happier note though, the main race is packed with stars incuding World Points champion Chris Newton fresh from winning a bronze medal at the Mexico World Cup and Paul Manning who did likewise and the riders from the team Pursuit who won silver. National Road Race champion Julian Winn who has just ridden the major European classic Paris Nice, is expected to start as well, along with lots of overseas riders.

Prior to the main race, there will be two support events which start at 8.30am from the crossroads at the end of Ledborough Lane in Beaconsfield and cross the finish line at the top of Gore Hill five times,which means the riders do four and three quarter laps approximately. The circuit for the support race is almost exactly 10 miles.

The circuit for main race is a little bigger, well a lot bigger actually! We have two maps (button links to them below) to help you find your way round to various vantage points. To create your own, go to Streetmaps and start with Rose Avenue, Hazlemere.

Map 1(26k) (map 2 detailed -- 350k plus)

And for those wanting a detailed listing of the race route, click here!