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The Cheshire Classic Women’s Road Race has confirmed road bike specialist Epic Cycles as a new sponsor for 2012, ensuring the event will have the full support of National Escort Group motorcycle marshals and a motorcycle paramedic.

The race, which takes place on a challenging course on the outskirts of Northwich in Cheshire on Sunday 22 April, is the opening race to the British Cycling Women’s National Series and promoted by Weaver Valley Cycling Club.

The 2011 edition of the Cheshire Classic, which was won by now junior world champion, Lucy Garner, was overshadowed by an incident on a fast stretch of bypass which hospitalised two riders.

Promoter Terry Veal commented; “The safety of the riders is always our number one priority, we have a great group of marshals around the course but thanks to the support of Epic Cycles it has allowed us to put in place professional support from the NEG and to also have a trained paramedic on the course too.”

Epic Cycles’ Phil Weaver added; “We already support a women’s racing team and being able to support a reputable race like the Cheshire Classic fitted in perfectly.”

The Cheshire Classic has a long standing history in women’s cycling and was one of the first races on the National Series calendar when it first began. Past winners include Mandy Jones, Lizzie Armitstead and Nicole Cooke. This year sees the launch of a dedicated website for the race at www.cheshireclassicroadrace.co.uk and a Twitter feed @CheshireClassic.

The route sees the riders tackle 10 laps of a 7.7km circuit. The circuit is a mixture of winding country road and fast flowing bypass tarmac. The circuit's famous point is the climb up Acton Bridge Hill (known to locals as the Cliff) which also hosts the finish of the race.