| Sunday 16th of June 2013

A new National A road race, the Circuit of the Fens, has been added to British Cycling's calendar for 2013! The event will form part of the Whittlesey Cycling Day and will be based at Whittlesey Town Centre, Fenland, Cambridgeshire. The event will be organised and promoted on 16th June by Anglia Cycling Development Co – operative & St Ives Cycling Club

At 200km, the “Circuit of the Fens” will be the longest single day road race on the British Cycling calendar in 2013 and is scheduled one week before the British Cycling National Road Race Championships.

The organisers say: "We are confident of attracting all of the top UK based teams and hope to invite one or two foreign squads to add international flavour. Starting and finishing in Whittlesey town centre, the race will be unique insofar that the course will be totally flat without the usual hills to test the riders. Instead the wide open roads will leave the riders completely exposed to the renowned fenland winds.

A special skill will be needed, that of forming echelons, often across the full width of the road to gain maximum shelter. Fortunately, and thanks to support from both Cambridgeshire Highways and Police, the riders will have a clear road for the race. There are also a couple of narrow stretches towards the end of the race which will take the riders over rough and poorly surfaced roads that will again call for the ultimate in bike control.

Whilst the racing cyclists are battling it out across the fens, we are planning to stage a number of supporting events, both competitive and non-competitive, in the town centre, including:
Family Cycle Ride, Leisure Cycle Ride, Cycle Maintenance Clinic, Cycle Jumble, 'Go-Ride' event for local youngsters, BMX demonstration, 'Come-and-try-it' roller session and Refreshment stalls."