Event: 15 April 2012
Location: Cambridgeshire
Preview: Colin Coe, Anglia Cycling Development Co-Operative
Anglia Cycling are new to the world of sportives but its events team has experience in promoting road and circuit races. Their “Ronde Anglia”, taking place on Sunday, 15th April, offers something different for the sportive rider.
Hardly any gradient that resembles a hill but nevertheless a course that will provide a challenge: generally flat, sometimes dead straight, other times narrow and twisting. Road surfaces are un-even in places, as to be expected if you know the fens, yet rideable all the same. The scenary is different too, well worth a visit if you've never been before.
Particular emphasis has however been placed on safety and for a special reason. Promoters Anglia Cycling are 'testing' the course for one of their 2013 race promotions.
Any operating surplus from the “Ronde” in April is earmarked for their 2012 Elite road race in June. The “Circuit of the Fens” , scheduled for Tuesday, 5th June (QEII Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday) is to be held on a new circuit based on Whittlesey. The race will start from the town centre and the organisers are negotiating for a finish on the run-in to the town. Distance is likely to be in the region of 175km, making the race one of the longest outside the Premier Calendar.
Last year's successful “Circuit of Ramsey” (Sunday 1st May) was the 'first' promotion organised by 'Anglia Cycling'. However, with subsidence having taken its toll along much of the 2011 course, it was decided in the interests of safety, to move the race to Whittlesey.
Tom Murray (Sigma-Sport/Specialized) won the hard fought race at Ramsey last year but might be required elsewhere this June. The “Circuit of the Fens” clashes with the 'Tour Series' in Torquay on the same day but nevertheless Anglia Cycling are confident of attracting a quality field and are also hopeful that if an alternative circuit can be agreed, Ramsey will also have a race this year, in which case Tom Murray may well be able to defend his 'title'.
