East Yorkshire's Big Weekend of Cycling

Event Dates: 24-26 July 2009

Television cameras from British Eurosport will follow some of the nation’s top cyclists as they compete on the streets of Beverley. The British Cycling National Elite Circuit Race Championships and the East Yorkshire Classic Race will be held on Friday 24 and Sunday 26 July.

Action from the 2008 East Yorkshire Classic

Councillor Jane Evison, portfolio holder for cultural services, housing and public protection at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “I am delighted to welcome these events back to the East Riding, with the promise of some challenging cycling in beautiful landscape.  I am sure thousands of residents and visitors to the town will enjoy watching these athletes compete.”

Race media chief Michael Boyle said: “The weekend boosts local businesses and protects tourism-related jobs. It has been calculated that the event is worth £250,000 to the local economy.”

Eight events over three days will start with four events on Friday including a five kilometre athletics race at 6pm and the National Elite Championships at 7.45pm, which will see 70 top cyclists, including Olympic medallists, race around Beverley for 70 minutes.

On Saturday, the Hull Thursday Road Club runs three circular sportif or touring rides from Beverley, with a choice of 60km, 100km or 160 km courses. Organisers are hoping that 500 cyclists will take part this year.

Sunday will see around 140 racers, 50 support vehicles and motorcyclists line up at 10am in New Walk for the 98-mile East Yorkshire Classic.  The race through the wolds is part of the elite British Cycling Halfords Premier Calendar series.

It has support from main sponsor East Riding of Yorkshire Council as well as Humberside Police, Beverley Town Council and local companies.

Entries to all the cycling events may be made at www.eastyorkshireclassic.co.uk/nationals, which provides route details and timings.