Road Champs Heads North East for 2011
Posted: 7th October 2010
British Cycling's National Road Race championships will hit the north east for 2011, it has been revealed today (7 October).
The Men's and Women's National Elite Road Race Championships will be the centrepiece of a weekend that also includes Newcastle's famous Northern Rock Cyclone cycling festival, which takes place from 24 to 26 June 2011.
British Cycling's National Elite Road Race Championships are the biggest single day of racing on the British Calendar. With national championships taking place across Europe on the same day the race attracts the very best of British riders from the international peloton with last year's field including Emma Pooley, Nicole Cooke, Geraint Thomas and Mark Cavendish.
For 2011, the event is expected to see 2010 national champions Emma Pooley and Geraint Thomas return to defend their titles on a challenging and scenic circuit around the beautiful Northumberland countryside.
Peter Harrison, organiser of the Northern Rock Cyclone weekend said: "Bringing the Men's and Women's National Elite Road Race Championships to the north east on the same weekend as the Northern Rock Cyclone is a massive high point for me. I'm proud that years of hard work developing cycle racing in the north east have paid off."
British Cycling cycle sport and membership director Jonny Clay said: "The National Road Championships is the biggest single day road event here in the UK and we look forward to seeing its continued development when we visit the north east in 2011. The quality of the field that the National Championships is able to generate now is testament to the growth of our sport in the UK and we look forward to seeing those riders do battle over a great course that will see a worthy national champion decided."
Taking place on Sunday, 26 June, the National Elite Road Race Championships will feature on the same weekend as Newcastle's Northern Rock Cyclone. On Saturday 24 June riders of all kinds - from amateurs and children to dedicated cyclists - take on the 33, 63 and 104 mile routes of the Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge ride. The longer two routes will take in parts of the National Elite Road Race Championships route.
The Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge is the biggest ride of its type in England. It makes the most of Northumberland's beautiful countryside and quiet roads and features well-stocked feed stations, electronic timing, free bike checks at Newcastle's Cyclelogical bike shop and a personalised certificate for every rider. To make sure everyone completes the course safely technical backup is provided by Madison, National Escort Group (NEG) motorcycle outriders accompany participants and the route is marked out by Northumberland County Council. Photos of every rider are also available within 48 hours of the end of the ride.
The weekend kicks off with the thrilling wheel-to-wheel racing of the Leazes Criterium races in Newcastle's Leazes Park on the evening of Friday 22 June. The highlight of this is the elite race, which in attracts top British and International riders. Registration for the Saturday's Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge will be open at Leazes Park on the Friday night.
The National Elite Road Race Championships and Northern Rock Cyclone weekend are the perfect excuse for a weekend away with the bikes. Full details, including routes and details of how you can ride in the Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge are available at www.northernrockcyclone.co.uk. Entries for the 2011 Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge will open on 1 November 2010.
