The latest addition to the fantastic road facility at Tudor Grange Park, Solihull has been officially launched by the Mayor of Solihull, Counsellor Ken Hawkins. The installation of the lights is the latest development at the facility that was itself, opened in August 2008.

The Solihull Cycling Club was present en masse to witness the ceremony before departing for the regular round of youth road rides to the Saturday morning café.

The story behind the project is also quite poignant for the Solihull CC. Half of the funding was found through the Sport England Inspired facilities fund. The other ‘half’ required match funding. It was this half of the funding that has special meaning. Two years ago, former Solihull CC rider, Olympic Silver medallist and Tour de France rider, Bob Maitland sadly passed away. His estate was left to British Cycling. It was a portion of this estate that came to the rescue of the project and provided the required match funding element. It seems rather fitting that Bob’s legacy has gone full circle and is now directly benefitting his old club and its hundreds of young riders who use the facility on a weekly basis.

A large black and white poster of Bob, in full flight at Herne Hill Velodrome was prepared by the club and was present at opening ceremony.

The Solihull CC is undergoing a surge in membership since the circuit opened with numerous coaches giving their valuable to coach many riders, from the six year olds entering the Go-Ride program for the first time to the national youth and junior champions who represent the club today at the top of the sport.