British Cycling Olympic Podium Programme rider Joanna Rowsell is the top name on the start list for the 27th edition of the Guildford Town Centre races held on Wednesday 10 July.
Above: Joanna Rowsell MBE on her way to the 2013 British time trial championship title.
The best of the British cycling scene will descend on Guildford for the iconic cobbled criterium; the short but ultra tough cobble based course provides the perfect arena for epic cycling battles whilst the historic market town of Guildford, nestled in the Surrey hills, provides the perfect backdrop.
This year Guildford based cycling club Charlotteville CC is honoured to welcome Olympic gold medallist Joanna Rowsell MBE. Joanna, born in Surrey, is currently riding as a professional for the Wiggle-Honda team and was recently crowned national time-trial champion and will be escorted on a parade lap of the circuit by the Charlotteville Rascals junior section at 6pm.
Later in the evening Joanna will compete in the inaugural Gold-i ‘Gold Rush’ where she will have to contend with 2013's in-form woman criterium rider Hannah Barnes.
After the dust has settled on the women's race and the night draws near the men will have their chance of glory in the Colbornes Elite Criterium. This promises to be one of the fiercest fought races of the year. Team Raleigh are sending a six strong squad headed by Tom Scully. Scully is on a winning streak after claiming the overall sprinters' prize at the recent Tour Series and victory at the London Nocturne.
Local favourite and previous winner Wouter Sybrandy will look to claim the crown he holds so dear after a superhuman come back from a career threatening crash last year. As if the race needed more excitement there are the two dominant local teams of Pedal Heaven and Felt-Colbornes who field a combined 14 riders and engage in a fierce rivalry. Expect sparks to fly!
To complete the evening’s entertainment there are the Chapters Financial youths races and the Cycleworks ‘Local Heroes’ race.
Complete Program:
- 6pm Rascal parade with Jo Rowsell MBE
- 6.30pm Chapters Financial Youth Criteriums
- 7pm - Cycleworks 'Local Heroes' Criterium
- 7.30pm - Gold-i ‘Gold Rush’ Womens Criterium
- 8pm - Colbornes Elite Criterium
