Otley (Yorkshire) the Place to be Next Wednesday

 

Story posted June 17

Event: Wednesday 20th June 2007
22nd Otley Town Centre Cycle Races

 

Russell Downing, 2006, going one up on the result in 2005 when he was second in the Championships here. His form of late has been nothing short of awesome and he goes in to the race one of the big favourites.

 

You would always expect an excellent line-up at a British Cycling National Championship event but the Circuit Race Championship at Otley on Wednesday has a fantastic line-up of 100 plus riders and an exciting race is in prospect in the Yorkshire town north of Leeds.

 

The circuit for the race is tough and always produces a worthy winner – star names like Mark Cavendish and Russell Downing are but two who have been on the top step of this race which hosted the Championships a few years ago when Cavendish was crowned the winner. The Isle of Man rider has gone on to win Pro Tour races and although not entered for Wednesdays race, the 22nd running of the event does have some names that are worth putting up in lights.

 

Last year’s winner Russell Downing returns and is joined on the start sheet by a rider who this year finished the Tour of Italy – Stephen Cummings. Defending champion James Taylor returns with his strong team that includes Tony Gibb who was second last year and the winner of the first Circuit Race Series event in 2007, Simon Gaywood. The latter has showed by winning a Premier Calendar event in 2007 that on this tough circuit, he has the ability to be in the mix for the medals.

 

Many other riders who have been on the podium this year are also entered. Dean Downing – winner of two Premier Calendar events also has the pedigree to win on a tough course like this as has Chris Newton and Malcolm Elliott. Ian Wilkinson has been on the podium before at Otley (3rd three times  in four years) and so has a liking for the course if the results are anything to go by and if there’s a sprint for the medals involved – Rob Hayles, winner of a mass gallop at the Hillingdon GP last Saturday.

 

The list goes on… David Clarke, Ben Greenwood, Robin Sharman, local Tom Barras and a large group of young riders who have shown their ability in senior races this year already. Olympic Development riders Andrew Fenn, World Junior champion Peter Kennaugh and last years bronze medallist and still a junior, Adam Blythe. Can Adam achieve a unique hat trick having already won the Otley Youth and Senior Races in previous years?

 

Other young local riders to watch are Otley’s Sam Webster (Glendene CC- Biketrax) and Burley in Wharfedale’s Mark Thwaites (Kinesis). And from youth to experience and good old Yorkshire grit -- Sportscover-Planet X include hard as nails trio of Mark Lovatt, John Tanner and Wayne Randle. Others also to look out for is Morley’s Liam Holohan and Simon Holt who defied all the odds at Brentwood by closing an impossible gap to get third in a Town Centre criterium there.

 

One look through the start list (these are include below) and you will see plenty of other names capable of springing a surprise and the race is sure to be a big hit with the large crowd that is expected to line the barriers at Otley.

 

 

Other former winners of the Senior Race now in the Elite Race are 2006 winner and demon sprinter Giles Pidcock (Fensham Howes CRT) (below) and Sporting Tours’ race sponsor Graham Baxter (Team Aqualia) returning home from Spain especially to ride the event!

 

 

Facts and Figures for This years Race

 

Sponsors
The event is financed by riders entry fees, grants and sponsorship from local businesses. This year’s event will be sponsored by Chevin Cycles of Otley with support from Richard Alexander Volkswagen, Travelwise, JN Bentleys, WGC Landscapes, Otley Town Council and Leeds City Council along with many other local businesses.

 

Record Entry
The popularity of the event continues to grow. For the first time ever the organisers have had to announce that both the Senior and Elite Races were fully subscribed as of the closing date - three weeks before the event. For safety reasons, British Cycling stipulate that a maximum of 100 riders are allowed to compete in each race. This could easily have been exceeded and as a result the organisers have set up a list of reserve riders who can only ride if any pre-entered riders don’t turn up.

 

Nights Programme

Senior 3/4/Women/Juniors Race
The evening’s racing starts at 7pm when for the fifth year the organisers stage the event for British Cycling category 3/4/W/J category riders. This was introduced for the first time in 2003 and has been a great success. This race is intended to give local club riders the chance to race at a realistic level of competition and an opportunity to compete in front of a large crowd.

 

Can Otley’s Lizzie Shine in her home town?
The Senior Race has proved to be even more popular than last year with a record entry of 110 riders at closing date. Organising Club Otley CC is represented by James Cullen. Racing for Team Chevin Cycles are six riders. Leader of the Race Organising Committee Mike Gill, Chevin Cycles Shop Manager Matthew Peacock, Christopher Hope, Craig Armitage, Mike Salkeld & Steve Whitehurst.

 

Eight ladies are also entered for the Senior Race and top of the bill being Otley’s very own “Every Boy’s Dream” GB Squad Rider and 2005 World Junior Track medalist Lizzie Armitstead. Lizzie, now riding for Global Racing Team, is the reigning ladies National Circuit Race Champion, so this could be a unique opportunity for her to wear her national champion’s jersey whilst racing in her home town of Otley.

 

Other riders to watch in the Senior race are Otley brothers Jonathan & James Farnaby representing Crosstrax RT, Otley teacher Barry Mordue (Crosstrax), WGC Landscapes’ Charles Warren (sponsor of the Youth Races), current Yorkshire Regional Masters Road Race Champion Andrew Mitchell (Ellis Briggs RT), Adel’s John Oldridge (Airedale Olympic) and Harrogate’s Matthew Mannakee (VC Briganti).

 

Otley AC 5km Running Race
At 7:40pm is a new event for this year is a 5km running race staged by Otley Athletics Club.

 

WGC Landscapes Youth Races
At 7:50pm is the “WGC Landscapes Youth Races” for Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 youth riders. The youngsters will have the opportunity to race around the full circuit.

 

With the safety of closed roads, this is a great opportunity for them to experience road racing at first hand in front of a large crowd. These races add to the atmosphere of the event and we recognise the importance of encouraging young athletes into the world of cycle racing.

 

For this reason and thanks to sponsorship from Otley Town Council there is no charge to enter the Youth Races – but riders must enter in advance. I hope every young rider will come away inspired by the experience and eager to ride in their next event.

 

British Cycling National Men’s National Championship Circuit Race
The climax to the evening at 8.30pm is the Elite Race with riders racing round the full circuit for just over an hour. This prestigious championship was last staged in Otley just two years ago when it was won by Commonwealth Gold Medalist, and former World Track Madison Champion Mark Cavendish. This race will be contested by the country’s top riders, with the winner earning that sought after gold medal and the National Champion’s jersey.

The Circuit
The racing will take place on the now well established circuit which goes along Bondgate, up Burras Lane, past the supermarket, left onto West Chevin Road, left again onto Birdcage Walk. At the end of Birdcage Walk it turns left again down East Chevin Road and onto Gay Lane where speeds up to 50 mph are expected.  The circuit continues left, passing Chevin Cycles, and through the start finish line next to the podium on Bondgate to begin another lap.

 

 

Road Closure / Diversions
Upon Police advice and to ensure the safety of the riders and spectators all roads around the circuit will be closed to traffic and roadside parking will be prohibited between 18:30 and 22:15.

 

There will be crowd barriers along the busiest parts of the circuit. To allow preparation before the event and clearing up afterwards roads around the circuit will be closed from 18.30 and will re-open at 22.15hrs.

 

Access will be available for all remaining parts of the town but in some cases this may involve following longer signed diversionary routes for example via the bypass (A660), Menston or Pool.

 

To avoid traffic congestion and roadworks in the area, riders and spectators from south of Leeds are advised to approach Otley via the A1(M), A6  Collingham, Harewood and Pool in Wharfedale.

 

There are public car parks in Otley town centre but this is limited. Overflow parking is available at Stephen Smiths Garden Centre on Pool Road. 

 

Race Programmes
Race programmes containing full list of riders can be purchased in advance from Chevin Cycles and will be available from programme sellers around the circuit throughout the event priced £1.

 

Organisers wish!
Last year’s event was the organising team’s best ever with estimates of a crowd of 4,000 people watching the race.  They have therefore, their fingers crossed and like us all, hoping for a warm dry fine evening, some exciting racing and another record crowd.

 

EVENT SCHEDULE WEDNESDAY 20TH JUNE 2007

Event Timings
18.30
Start of official road closure period around circuit.

 

18.30 to 19.00 
Implement secure road closure prior to event - erection of barriers,
signs, cones, podium, finish gantry, public address system etc.

 

18.30 to 18.55
Course available for riders/runners warm up. Designated warm up period for ALL RACES.

19.00 to 19.40
Senior Race (Regional B) for 3rd, 4th, Women, Junior (3/4) riders on full circuit. Race duration 12 laps (16.8 miles / 27 km). Prime announced during race.
 
19.40 to 20.05
Otley AC 5km Running Race.Race duration 25 minutes (2½ laps) Start outside Cattle Market on West Chevin Road after last rider in Senior Race. Max time to “Beat the clock” = 21 minutes. Any slow runners who will not achieve target time will be withdrawn from the race at the finish line after 11/2 laps.  

 

20.05 to 20.25 
Youth Races for Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 (Boys & Girls) on full circuit. Race duration 4 laps (9 km).

 

20.30 to 21.30 
Elite Race (National A) for Elite, 1st, 2nd category riders on full circuit. British Cycling Men’s National Elite Circuit Race Championship. Race duration 19 laps (26.6 miles / 42.75 km). Four primes announced during race.

 

21.30 to 22.15
Remove barriers & signs etc to re-open roads.

 

21.35 to 21.55
Presentation to selected prize winners on podium on Bondgate after race. Presentation order Runners, Youths, Senior then Elites.

 

22.00
End of official road closure period. All roads re-opened (with exception of Bondgate).

 

22.15
Bondgate re-opened. All roads now open.

 

START SHEETS