Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic

Sunday, 14th of May

 

A British Cycling Premier Calendar Event (Home Page)
Oakham to Melton Mowbray, 155km
Race Website: www.cicleclassic.co.uk |

preview by Larry Hickmott (larryhickmott@britishcycling.org.uk) 
Start: Oakham town centre, 11 am | Finish: Melton Mowbray, approx 3 pm

 

If yesterday's look at the course for the next Premier Calendar event, the Rutland-Melton CiCLE classic, is anything to go by, then the race on Sunday is sure to be a very open and exciting race. It is the course that makes the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic the most unique Premier Calendar event in the country. A race with that Continental Spring Classic feel about it -- in May! Sure, there are long running classics like the Archer, the Lincoln, Five Valleys and others but the Rutland race has a course like no others and it will be on that special course where the race could be won and lost.

But to have a race, you need riders, and again, this event has attracted the very best from around Britain and the World. Last year, a field of almost 100 riders were sent down farm tracks where they sent plumes of dust spiralling into the air, creating iconic pictures for photographers eager to capture the action of Britain's 'Roubaix'. This year the farm tracks may well be more muddy than dusty and these more unpredictable type of roads mean the 140 plus riders will have to choose equipment and tyres that are more robust than those required for 'normal' races because a breakage or puncture may well cost a rider the sought after victory.

 

 

This is the good part and the rolling roads you see are a feature of the 100 mile long road race around the smallest county in Britain, Rutland.

Not only that, because many of the roads will be narrow, perhaps even single track in parts, riders caught at the back may never see the front again and so the race will favour the smart and strong rider, one able to choose the appropriate tactics for such a course, as well as cope with the rough roads, be 'light' on the bike to look after it as well able to power repeatedly over the short steep 'bergs' (hills). In all, there are 12 sectors of 'special tracks' which could provide the spring board for the strongest riders to turn on the gas and explode the race behind them.

 

When I went to see the course, I found out just why this race has such a huge reputation after just one year of it being. I met up with the organiser Colin Clews in Oakham where the race will start from. Colin had just picked up his 'Ranger' pickup from Tim Norton Ford. In the back it was packed with signage and foods (chocolate!) from Masterfoods. I had already been out for a drive around Rutland Waters where the riders will do two 14 mile loops over good roads that are by and large fairly tame. The calm before the storm perhaps?

I then got in the Ranger pickup with Colin and we ventured out to the course starting with the Northfield Farm lane where after going through a gate, I had my first taste of what was in store for the 140 plus riders. Up until this point, the roads are quite wide with good surfaces. The single lane road past Northfield farm (natural reared meats) signalled the end of all that - from now on, in the main, the route comprised rolling hills with very little flat in between and narrow roads that varied between good tarmac and no tarmac at all!

 

 

An example of one of the sectors surface or lack of it ...

 

 

The feedzone...

The first special section was sector 12 and it was indeed quite special - gone was the good smooth tarmac and we were bouncing around inside the Ranger as we sped over what was left of the road which had grass growing down the middle. In reality, this was just the start as each special section I got to see steadily got worse. Like the next one which was through the feed zone where the sheep had to be moved aside before we could climb up the hill and past the brilliant yellow rape seed fields.

Some of the sectors, like the one at Stygate, will be raced over from both directions but some you wonder whether they can be raced over at all. After Stygate, I'd seen the farm track past the Rural Energy farm centre in Owston, a loose gravel track of a few hundred meters that was mainly climbing up before rejoining the main road (lane). After that we headed to the RCC Recycling site, turned right into it and onto 'Somerberg' (sector 7).

 

 

The worst section, 'Somerberg' had some of the locals out to see what all the fuss was about.

As we approached the closed gate, a herd of cows were lined up behind it, staring back at us as if to say 'what do you want here?'. It wasn't long before they got their answer as Colin gave them their marching orders and we looked at the thick, muddy, track which climbed gently up past the recycling site. Colin said something about having to have this one looked at before the race (one of the few times he thought it was probably too rough) and one wonders how the riders will fare on it after having had raced for over two and a half hours before they reach it.

Having shown me most of the special sectors, we then headed for the final two, starting with the airfield where the riders simply come off the main road, race down a broken concrete track for a few hundred yards before rejoining the road with only 6 or so kilometres left. Not so bad I thought.

The only sector left after that is sector 1, less than 2 kilometres from the finish and it's a nasty piece of work if I may say so. After 100 miles under their wheels and this finale is nothing but a raw gravel track which may or may not see the final attacks launched before they cross the bridge into Melton Mowbray and the sprint that may ensue the wrong way up the one way street to cross the line opposite Flower Paradise who will be providing the winners bouquets to the race.

 

 

Second last sector at the airdrome...

 

 

Final sector.. only a few k to go from here ...

In summary, riders who haven't done this race - its not just narrow roads interspersed with farm tracks - there are also many many hills through an area I have to say is very picturesque indeed. Small, unspoilt villages with the odd chocolate box cottage and stone buildings that have been on this earth for hundreds and hundreds of years.

Holding a race around such a large area, one that boggles the mind when you try and make sense of where it goes, is no mean feat. A squad of 80 marshals including four motorcycle mounted ones for example, 12 National Escort Group outriders and 2 police on motorbikes. Not only that, many more police, up to 30 static ones in the villages. Rolling road closures (spectators be warned) as well to keep the riders safe.

Organising such a race, like many of the Premiers that take in large parts of the country, is a major undertaking for an organiser but Colin has added some spice to the event by taking riders over farm tracks and so on. It has been tried before apparently and although that race was discontinued after three years, Colin decided to go ahead with his idea and the proof of its success is him getting twice as many entries this year as he did last.

"I am surprised at the popularity of it" he explained to British Cycling, adding "but I think of myself as an average bike rider and I love riding my bike on those roads and I like to think what appeals to me, will appeal to others and so it has".

"The feedback I get from riders is that the event is totally different. Comments like 'how incredible it is' and 'how they didn't know where they were going but that it didn't matter because you were chewing your stem trying to keep up in the race'".

 

Right: Posters for the race at the local car park in Oakham.

"I have not had any adverse comments, even from those who had cause to like the rider who lost a wheel after a puncture but is coming back this year. I get the feeling talking to riders they think its so tremendous, they can't miss it."

"I want to put on a bike race that mimics as much as possible the professional presentations you see time and time again on the continent. It has to look good, because we shouldn't be just giving the riders a race, it should also be helping to sell the sport and capture the public's imagination. I think this race does that and has a much wider appeal than other races and its one the riders like."

Colin then explained how he has spent the last three weeks working full time on putting the final touches to the race. This week for example, he has been chasing sponsors for their banners as he looks to have part of the course ringed with banners giving the event a real professional atmosphere. He's also organised a raffle for the race with the Rotary club which had the draw on Monday which was then followed by a meeting with a group of people who are doing the marshalling in Melton.

On Tuesday, he had yet more meetings with the Oakham council and Police before picking up the keys for the airdrome and then another meeting with more marshals. The jobs for the race are non-stop and the good news for the sport is that BBC East are taking an interest in it which can be added to the coverage by Cycling.TV and Eurosport.




Above: Related to the above plaque at Oakham, Colin tells me they came up the idea of taking a cycling show cleat and mounting that on a plinth and last year Rob Hayles (double world champion at the time) presented it to the local council. They were so chuffed, another has been arranged for this year which will be presented to them by Commonwealth Games champion, Chris Newton.

 

 

The 'castle' at Oakham where the team cars will be seen on Sunday.

What spectators will see?
Spectators at road races, in this country, are by and large an endangered species. There are exceptions - the Lincoln despite the rain packed them in and this race too will no doubt get people coming from far and wide to see how the 140 plus riders fair on the Roubaix style roads.

But besides the race, spectators can also expect to see some ongoing activities in Oakham in the Market Place and then also at the finish area where there will be more activities for novices and such like. Out on the course, Colin explained there will be plenty to keep people occupied ?"For a village fete atmosphere, try Owston or Burrough on the Hill, both of which are visited by the race several times."

"In Owston, there will be a barbeque and teas at the village hall, and also toilet facilities and parking! There will also be regular announcements from the race commentator who will be taking up their vantage point in Owston, as the riders come through the village no less than six times. In Burrough on the Hill, the Stag and Hounds is well placed to see the race several times as it laps the village".

For those looking to go to some of the special sectors, be warned parking is not going to be easy, especially if the ground is wet so you may need to walk a bit to get to them. Of them all, Somerby is perhaps the most interesting, or difficult for the riders but there are so many places to see the race, I don't think anyone will be disappointed with what spot they choose!

The Competitors
Whilst the course is an attractive proposition, the event needs riders to make the race and there are plenty ready to take part. A field of 140 plus 10 reserves on top of the 40 odd entries sent back. In a short space of time, the word has got out and this event has riders from all over the world wanting to take part. As well as the British, there are competitors from United States, Australia, New Zealand, Holland; Germany and Ireland. The race which is only in its second year, has certainly caught the imagination of cyclists, and cycling enthusiasts throughout Britain.

But who will win?

The Lincoln is known for being a really tough race but at the end, more than 50 riders were within a minute and a half of each other, showing just how close the competition is in Britain and the difficulty in choosing a winner in the next event at Rutland.

On a course like this, the rider will need to be strong enough to make his own luck which he'll need plenty of. Of course, after Lincoln, the Recycling.co.uk team have a number of aces up their sleeve including Kristian House (above right) who not only won the Lincoln, and the Girvan but also leads the Premier calendar by a big margin. Chris Newton though showed just how strong he is at the moment with time off the front alone at Lincoln and will no doubt have come out of Lincoln all the stronger for it.

Robin Sharman too can never be discounted but its far from a done deal that the Recycling team will win this race. Far from it indeed. In 7th place at Lincoln was SIS rider Ian Wilkinson. The day before the Lincoln, Ian was second in the Sherwood Pines Premier Mountain Bike Series event after dicing with Commonwealth Games Silver medallist Oli Beckingsale and then finished 7th at Lincoln. He's good on and off road and is one of the key favourites.

Now whilst its always difficult to say a rider doing well in one race, will then do well in another when in good form, I think we can safely say that should he be riding, Jonathan Dayus (Arctic-Shorter Rochford RT) is a major threat. In his last two stage races he has been in great form, winning the last one in France this week and will be at home on the roads of Rutland.

The roads of the Rutland race are certainly a far cry from those on the track where Rob Hayles has won himself World Titles and a bucket load of medals, but he showed at Lincoln he's up for racing and was right up there when the race for the podium was on for one and all. He ended up sixth but this guy has had a decade or more on the road (and track) and has experienced the real 'Roubaix' so I am sure Rutland won't phase him!

It certainly won't trouble Sigma's Matthew Stephens who was on the podium last year (awarded the Most Combative Rider as well as finishing 3rd) and at Lincoln was the picture of aggression willing to give everything in the race. There's no easy ride when racing alongside the experienced and former British Champion as he comes with a well earned reputation as a 'never say die' type of rider. Don't believe me - look at the picture!

Speaking of experience, John Tanner and Mark Lovatt have that in abundance and may well spring a surprise or two. And speaking of surprises, New Zealander Matt Talbot of the Glendene showed at Lincoln he has the legs to go the distance with the favourites and now all of a sudden, will have a few riders looking to him during the race. Speaking of Kiwis, New Zealand's Warrick Spence of the club London Dynamo was also in contention for the podium until the last lap at Lincoln.

A rider who didn't figure in the top placings, due to a mechanical, but was certainly looking at his best during Lincoln was Scotland's Gary Hand riding for Agisko-Dart and whilst Midlands rider, David Clarke, was below par at the Lincoln, he may well be back at the front of a race at the Rutland. Being a road race where the riders go off road in parts, some of the off road specialists may well find it to their liking and as well as Ian Wilkinson mentioned earlier, others who could find themselves on the podium are Phil Dixon (SIS), Nick Craig (Scott UK) and Dave Collins (Scott UK).

Finally, one rider not yet mentioned is the one who was many people's favourite for the Lincoln and although he spent time off the front, chasing victory, for the first time in a few years he wasn't on the podium at the finish -- Malcolm Elliott (Plowman Craven). Perhaps being favourite jinxed him so lets call him the under dog this time because he can certainly never be discounted.

Up for grabs in the race are ?2500 plus in prizes for competitions such as the Nottingham/East Midlands Airport 'High Flyer' King of the Hills competition, and the Melton Building Society Most Combative Rider awards. Its going to be a great event, much more than a bike race, with an atmosphere all of its own. British Cycling will have photographers there to bring you all the action next Sunday and during the days that follow and our thanks to organiser Colin Clews for all his help.

 

 

There are a few sectors like this, gravel roads and no tarmac in sight ...

 

 

Picture says it all about this sector...

 

 

Rolling roads but sections like this are few and far between.

 

 

The finishing straight in Melton.

RIDERS
1. Chris Newton, Recycling.co.uk
2. Robin Sharman, Recycling.co.uk
3. Ben Greenwood, Recycling.co.uk
4. Kristian House, Recycling.co.uk
5. Evan Oliphant, Recycling.co.uk
6. Dale Appleby, Recycling.co.uk

7. Peter McDonald, Team FRF Carravello\Camplins(Lincoln) (Australia)
8. Joshua Marden, Team FRF Carravello\Camplins(Lincoln (Australia)
9. Peter Herzig, Team FRF Carravello\Camplins(Lincoln Australia)
10. Cody Stevenson, Team FRF Carravello\Camplins(Lincoln (Australia)
11. Joe McDonnell, Team FRF Carravello\Camplins(Lincoln (Australia)
12. Ian Wilkinson, ScienceinSport.com
13. Phil Dixon, ScienceinSport.com
14. Tim Lawson, ScienceinSport.com
15. Jack Woodward, ScienceinSport.com
16. Stuart McManus, ScienceinSport.com
17. Robert Hayles, Team KLR\Parker International
18. Craig Butland, Plowman Craven - Opera - Leica
19. Wesley Cole, Plowman Craven - Opera - Leica
20. Malcolm Elliott, Plowman Craven - Opera - Leica
21. Tony Gibb, Plowman Craven - Opera - Leica
22. Tom Smith, Plowman Craven - Opera - Leica
23. James Taylor, Plowman Craven - Opera - Leica

24. Jonathan Dayus, Arctic-Shorter Rochford RT
25. James Dobbin, Arctic-Shorter Rochford RT
26. Tim Bayley, Arctic-Shorter Rochford RT
27. Andy Proffitt, Arctic-Shorter Rochford RT
28. Michael Brodwith, Arctic-Shorter Rochford RT
29. Allister Tulett, Arctic-Shorter Rochford RT
30. Duncan Urquhart, Agisko-Dart-Cycling TV
31. Kevin Dawson ,Agisko-Dart-Cycling TV
32. Gary Hand, Agisko-Dart-Cycling TV
33. Eric Ransom, Agisko-Dart-Cycling TV (USA)
34. Clayton Barrows, Agisko-Dart-Cycling TV (USA)
35. Rob Enslin, Agisko-Dart-Cycling TV (RSA)

36. Mark McKay, Glendene CC\Bike Trax
37. Ben Hallam, Glendene CC\Bike Trax
38. Matthew Talbot, Glendene CC\Bike Trax
39. Kristian Downs, Glendene CC\Bike Trax
40. Chris Bartlett, Glendene CC\Bike Trax
41. Daniel Davies, www.agisko-viner.com-U23
42. Gyles Wingate, www.agisko-viner.com-U23
43. Sean Brennan, www.agisko-viner.com-U23
44. Jimmy Wright, Stilton RT\Specialised
45. James Sampson, Stilton RT\Specialized
46. James Cambridge, Stilton RT\Specialized
47. Damian Harris, Stilton RT \ Specialized (Aus)

48. Ross Adams, Red kite Cycles
49. Euan Adams, Red kite Cycles
50. Ian Legg, Red kite Cycles
51. Chris Ward, Red kite Cycles
52. Joe Andrews, Loughborough Students CC
53. Alec Leslie, Loughborough Students CC
54. Adam Duggleby, Loughborough Students CC
55. Karl Freeman, Team Milton Keynes
56. Martin Smith, Team Milton Keynes
57. Richard Cartland,Team Milton Keynes
58. Roy Chamberlain, Team Milton Keynes
59. Tom Kirk, Team Milton Keynes

60. Geoff Beetham, Magura
61. Daniel Booth, Magura
62. Carl Sturgeon, Magura
63. Martin Ford, Team Lloyds TSB
64. Graeme Stone, Team Lloyds TSB (NZ)
65. Chris Debens, Team Lloyds TSB
66. Matthew Higgins, JE James RT\Direct Plastics
67. Chris Belsham, JE James RT\Direct Plastics
68. Mark Wordsworth, JE James RT\ Direct Plastics
69. Christopher Daddy, JE James RT\Direct Plastics

70. Andy Collis, De Rosa RT
71. Paul Wilkes, De Rosa RT
72. Matthew Bottrill, De Rosa RT
73. Matthew Stephens, Sigmasport RT
74. Mike Harrison, Sigmasport RT
75. John Tanner, Planet X \ Cycling Plus
76. Mark Lovatt, Planet X \ Cycling Plus
77. Richard Wikinson, Rapha\Condor
78. Ben Price, Rapha\Condor
79. Ben Pochee, Rapha\Condor
80. Guy Andrews, Rapha\Condor

81. Graeme Hatcher, Isle Of Man CG Team
82. Andrew Roche, Isle Of Man CG Team
83. Mark Cavendish, Isle of Man CG Team
84. Nick Craig, Scott UK
85. Dave Collins, Scott UK
86. Mike Moss, Cottingham Coureurs
87. Julian Gromett, Cottingham Coureurs
88. Gareth Jones, Team Fuji UK
89. Ryan Henry, Private Member
90. Sean Polson, V.C.Azzurri
91. Ronnie Batey, V.C.Azzurri
92. Warrick Spence, London Dynamo\Cyclefit (NZ)
93. Sam Humpherson, London Dynamo\Cyclefit

94. Henry Furniss, Ride Beyond\bike & Run
95. Shawn Blakey, Ride Beyond\bike & Run
96. Lee Davis, Pinarello RT
97. Chris Parlett, Wildside RT
98. Greg Roche, Nippo KFS vehicles
99. David Clarke, Nippo KFS vehicles
100. Jonathan Pain, Leisure Lakes RT
101. Julian Sharples, M.R.Cycles
102. Alex Atkins, Evans Cycles RT
103. William Thompson, Geoffrey Butlar Cycles
104. Gavin Evans, East Midlands BC (PM)
105. Steve Gibson, VC Briganti
106. Matthew Charity, Team VC Nottingham
107. Charles Tennick, Stealth RTt
108. Ashley Brown, Featherstone RC
109. Neil Swithenbank, MK Cycles
110. Mark Dziobon, MK Cycles
111. Thomas Gardner, Heron Cyclesport
112. Dean Shannon, Heron Cyclesport
113. Stephen Ward, Team Swift-Allsports
114. Matthew Jennings, Websters Cycling Team
115. Andrew Stuart, Ashfield RC
116. Matthew Sewell, West Pennine RC
117. Simon Earnest, Felt Racing
118. Peter Williams, Kinesis UK
119. Mark Thwaites, Kinesis UK
120. Wayne Webster, Beauvale CC
121. Stephan Wolfer, Zenith CC
122. Lewis Meadows, Cleveland Whls
123. Alastair Kay, York Cycleworks
124. Dafydd Dylan, Team Continental
125. Steve Ferguson, EC St Etienne-Loire
126. Dieter Droger, Wakefield CC
127. Daniel Alexander, Ace RT
128. Jon Mozley, Merlin Development Squad
129. Gary Adamson, Kuota\Biemme
130. Steven Kenny, Kuota\Biemme
131. George Richardson, Kona\Richey
132. Adam Weaver, Doncaster Whls
133. Adam Broyad, Climb on Bikes \ Trek
134. Neil Jones, Gateway RT
135. Richard Bowen, Gateway RT
136. Richard Lambert, Rossington Whls.
137. Stuart Axcell, GB Fire Brigade
138. Steven Marrows, GB Fire Brigade
139. Andy Eagers, Derby Mercury RC
140. Meurig James, Citihub

RESERVES
141. Ashley Whipp, Manx Road Club
142. Matthew Barrett, Lutterworth Cycle Centre
143. Andy Hayton, Cherry Valley RT
144. Gareth Williams, Cherry Valley RT
145. Nigel White, Sherwood CC
146. Jonathan Hunt, Sherwood CC
147. Neil Beasley, Ashfield RC
148. Chris Yates, Bikinmotion CC
149. Ian Bond, CC Giro
150. Hugo Hocknell, Angliasport\Condor