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25th Anniversary for Otley Circuit Races

Story posted June 8, 2010; Event Press Release

Two local World Champions will drop the flag to start the Elite Circuit Series event at the Otley Town Centre Races which will be celebrating their 25th Anniversary on Wednesday, 23rd June. Otley’s track champion Lizzie Armitstead and triathlete Alistair Brownlee, from Horsforth, will join crowds of over 3,000 to watch the town centre’s annual bike racing spectacular.

Other changes for 2010 include a new sponsor for the British Cycling Elite Circuit Series race which is the evening’s showpiece and one of four races in the series to be televised post event. Billed as the Subaru Insured Elite Race, it will once again be run off at speeds of up to 40mph by many of the UK’s top professional teams and riders. There are supporting races for local club riders and youth races with categories for Under-16, Under-14, Under-12 and Under-10.

Lizzie Armitstead’s appearance as a starter may involve a quick change, as she also has an entry to ride in the Chevin Cycles Classic race which finishes just ten minutes earlier. Speaking after riding well in last year’s Classic, Lizzie joked about the ‘lazy men’ she’d been up against. She is expected to feature at the head of the race again this year.

The Youth Races have grown to be such a crowd-pleaser that for the 2010 edition they’ve been extended to include more riders and long time sponsors WGC Landscapes have been joined by Triton Construction.  The races also benefit from an earlier start time of 6.30pm, which means that local roads will close half an hour earlier than usual, at 6pm.

Race organiser Graeme Collin, from Guiseley, said “We have had to work hard this year to ensure the continued running of the races. Economic times are tough and so we are really grateful to all the sponsors who have together helped us cover the costs of putting the races on. I’m terribly excited about the racing we have lined up. It should be a special event as always and we’re proud to be able to continue such a great Otley tradition.”

With full fields of 100 riders expected for both the Classic and Elite races and with the challenging and fast circuit that takes in Bondgate, Burras Lane, Birdcage Walk and Gay Lane, safety is of paramount importance. This year the local team of volunteer marshals will be supported by additional experts from British Cycling, who also supply the race Commissaires and infrastructure such as the podium truck and photo-finish equipment.

For the big crowds who traditionally gather on the start/finish straight on Bondgate, there is also plenty of opportunity to get refreshments from The Junction, the Rose and Crown and Bondgate Bakery.  Once again, organisers have arranged for coffee and ice-cream vans to be available and Bondgate Fisheries will be open throughout the evening to feed hungry spectators – and even a few riders!

Details

Event: Otley Cycle Races.  Wednesday 23rd June 2010 from 6.30pm. 
Location:  Circuit based on Bondgate, Otley town centre, West Yorkshire.
Other info:  Free to watch, spectators welcome.  Some local roads closed from 6.00 – 10pm

Race Organiser:
Mr Graeme Collin, Chevin Cycles Limited, The Showrooms, Leeds Road, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 1BR, 07802 614309

Send entries to: Otley Cycle Races, Chevin Cycles Ltd, The Showrooms, Leeds Road, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 1BR. Cheques made payable to Wharfedale Cycling Club.

Race Details:
Youth Only    C, D    Youth    U12/U10        18:30    £3.50 (£3.50)
Youth Only    A, B    Youth    U16/U14    9/6    18:55    £3.50 (£3.50)
Regional A    2nd, 3rd, 4th    Band 4    2/3/4    32/20    19:45    £21.00 (£30.00)
National A    Elite, 1st, 2nd    Band 2    E/1/2    45/28    20:35    £21.00 (£30.00)