Top class cycling action returns to the Rutland and Melton area on 17 January 2010 when the second Rutland County International CiCLE Classic ‘Cross races take place at Whitwell Leisure Park alongside the North Shore of Rutland Water.
The races encompass the sixth and final round of this Winter’s British Cycling National Trophy series of major cyclo-cross promotions. With the Elite Men’s race being rated as a UCI Category 2 event offering World ranking points to the leaders, the event has attracted attention from several riders from the ‘hotbed’ of cyclo-cross; Belgium.
The Rutland circuit of just over 2 km rated as one of the fastest courses in the country, the course is likely to suit the foreign visitors, although coming a week after the National Championships in Birmingham, and two weeks before the World Championships in the Czech Republic, it will be the first opportunity for the new national champions to show off their champions jerseys, and to want to show their potential for the forthcoming world events.
Once again the Rutland course will go as far as possible to presenting a layout and features not dissimilar to those found in any Belgian cyclo-cross race. A set of steps; a multitude of dead turns; a finely gravelled beach to be traversed each lap; and for the real ‘cross fans a ‘mini-washboard’ along the lines of that offered at the annual Azencross at Loenout each Xmas.
“The CiCLE Classic ‘cross represents a consolidation by Sporting Club LifeCiCLE in year round quality top class cycling promotions following on from the success of the East Midlands International CiCLE Classic held each April,” says Race Director Colin Clews. “All the ingredients are there for some fantastic and very close racing on a very spectator friendly course with so many interesting features.. Having provided the ‘tools’, we fully expect the riders to respond with perhaps the best and most hard fought racing of the Winter season so far providing a wonderful showcase for both the sport of cyclo-cross and the Rutland Water venue.”
The Elite men take the start at Whitwell at 2.15 with races for the lesser categories taking place from 10.30. with an Under 12’s race; open to any local youngsters to try the sport for the first time. Entry to this event is totally free, with prizes to all finishers thanks to sponsorship from Rutland Water Cycling.
Main sponsorship for the race meeting is again provided by Rutland County Council, with the venue being made available by strong support from Anglian Water. In addition East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and MARS UK, (Dolmio) and Onimpex (Bioracer) provide secondary sponsorship..
