Britain’s largest one day race, the East Midlands International CiCLE Classic, returns on Sunday 26th April, having already attracted considerable European interest.

CiCLE is Britain’s own Classic, with narrow and treacherous farm tracks more reminiscent of those to be found in the Spring ‘classic races’ in northern France and Belgium. It will see 200 riders navigate beautiful East Midlands roads, villages and challenging rough terrain following the ceremonial start in Oakham. The confirmed route for 2009 will see the riders complete almost 100miles, building to an exciting finish in Melton.

Regular teams, such as Denmark’s Glud & Marstrand- Horsens; Slovakia’s Dukla-Trenchin-Merida; and The Netherlands’ Ruiter-Dekappellan squads, will return to the event, seeing it as a highlight of their racing calendar. New teams, such as the Czech Republic’s top team SC Sparta-Praha and Belgian-based Irish squad An Post-Sean Kelly, have also confirmed their intent. Further foreign squads, which may yet bring the overseas contingent to eight or nine teams of six, will be announced shortly.

The An Post team boasts 2007 Irish Road Race Champion David McLoughlin, a member of the former Pezula squad that dominated the CiCLE Classic in 2008.

Jan Bos of the Dutch-based Ruiter-Dekappellan squad returns, intent on taking the top place on the podium this time after losing out to Kieran Power following a long joint breakaway ride.

Incentives are high this year, in this East Midlands Development Agency and MARS UK sponsored race with a special Maestro UK sponsored ‘bonus award’ also on offer to the winner for the first time.

Race Director Colin Clews explained; “Mike Perry of the Willier – Sports Beans squad is a big fan of the event and offered an additional cash sponsorship to any rider winning the 2009 event spectacularly. £300 is on offer to any rider who can cross the finish line before any other riders enter the 180 metre-long finish straight.

“We’re aiming for the CiCLE Classic to be won in the classic style of great champions, and if the money isn’t won this year we’ll keep rolling it on and adding to the total each year.”

A further development this year is the staging of the ‘Discover Rutland CiCLE Tour’ cyclo-sportif event on Saturday 25th April. This event, organised by Rutland County Council in association with the CiCLE Classic organisers, will offer 100 and 50 miles rides, as well as a 30 km fun ride for those wanting to make a weekend of their visit to Rutland. Supporting attractions will take place both in Oakham alongside the race start and at the Melton Mowbray finish. Entries are also now open for the CiCLE Challenge Sportif on Sunday 12th July.