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East Midlands International CiCLE Classic
Story posted March 1; Event: Sunday 25th April 2010; Event Press release | Race Details |
'Race becomes ‘ten’ times harder!' says organiser
This years edition of the East Midlands International CiCLE Classic is set to be the hardest ever with an addition to the route of another ten kilometres; including a second ascent of the Cold Overtonberg; and at least ten foreign teams to challenge Britain’s best road racing competitors on Sunday 25th April.
Whilst the additional ten kilometres have been added basically for logistical reasons, it is expected that the consequence will be that the further climb of Cold Overtonberg will provide an added opportunity for breakaways coming as it does shortly in advance of the first passage of the feared ‘Somerberg’ sector.
“Over the past five years, the CiCLE Classic has built its reputation as the race to win and in 2010, as once again Britain’s only single day international road race, we have even more to prove by being bigger and better, and showing that it is not just Britain’s best road race, but also Britain’s biggest international race on that day,” said race director Colin Clews.
The potential reward to the winner will also be greater once again this year with the roll-over of the £300 Maestro UK sponsored ‘ bonus’ prize for the first rider to win the event in the ‘grand manner’; or in other words; alone. Whilst in 2008, Keiren Power and then Ian Wilkinson in 2009 (above), rode to their wins by outsprinting another rider, had ‘Wilko’ won alone without any other rider having entered the finishing straight by the time he crossed the line, he would have received another £300 to his £1800 first prize. Because he failed to do so, in 2010 a bonus prize of £600 is now on offer to any rider winning the CiCLE Classic alone.
The village of Owston will again feature as the ‘heart’ of the race and the attractions for the many who congregate there to see the seven passages of the race are likely to be greater than ever this year. And, with the Discover Rutland CiCLE Tour taking place the day before with over 600 participants this year, all looks set for a great weekend of cycling action throughout the Rutland and East Leicestershire area.
An Itlaian Fair will accompany the start of the race in Oakham’s High Street, and for the second year the finish of the race in Melton’s main street will coincide with the St Georges Day parades to be held involving local scout and other youth groups. Once again the race receives main sponsorship from the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and MARS UK under the Dolmio brand name, but additional sponsorship is provided this year from Dare2b extreme clothing who will be providing clothing for the officials working on the race.
“With the extreme nature of the CiCLE Classic in British road racing, our partnership with Dare2b is a perfect match which we look forward to developing further at both the CiCLE Classic and its sister promotion, the Rutland International CiCLE Classic ‘Cross where Dare2b products were first used to such good effect in January of this year.”
As in previous years the ‘Most Agressive Rider ‘Award is sponsored by the Melton Building Society, and Rouleur magazine sponsors the four main ‘special’ sectors on the course.
No ordinary course for this unique event!
RELATED LINKS
Race Details in the Racing Calendar
British Cycling's 2009 Race Report and Photos
