News: CiCLE Classic 2019

The first British UCI International road race of 2019, will be the 15th Edition of the Rutland – Melton International CiCLE Classic, Britain’s longest running international single day cycle road  which sees some major route changes

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News: CiCLE Classic 2019


The Rutland – Melton International CiCLE Classic will again ‘launch’ the UK’s international road racing season in 2019 when the 15th edition of what is Britain’s longest running international single day cycle road race takes to the roads of Rutland and East Leicestershire on Sunday 28th April.

As another milestone is reached for the ever popular ‘British/Belgian Classic’ race, changes to the opening section of the route look set to cement the race’s boast as the UK calendar’s ‘only real Spring Classic’ by seeing the race distance approach the magical 200 kms maximum for a race of its status.

Gone will be the tortuous and high speed two laps of Rutland Water following the Oakham town centre start, to be replaced by a winding route through Burley-on-the-Hill, Ashwell and Teigh to Wymondham.

This is where spectators will be treated to four laps of varying length around the village including two ascents of Butt Lane with two sprints outside the local Windmill landmark, and five passages in total. All this within a period of no more than 35 minutes. The race will then retrace its outward route to pass through Oakham to continue its traditional route via Owston and the notorious special sectors including ‘Somerberg’ , ‘StaplePark’ and ‘Sawgate’ to finish in Melton town centre.

“For several years it has been the wish to open up new spectator viewing points on the course, and with Wymondham being my own village and enthusiasm from a wide swathe of the residents to see the race, it presented itself as a perfect opportunity in our 15th edition to bring the ideas together,” said Race Director Colin Clews. He continued, “With the plan being to complete two laps of 4.8 kms and then two further laps of 6.5 kms through and around the village, a completely new and exciting dimension will be added to the early stages of the race, as well as an amazing spectacle for those choosing to watch the race in Wymondham before moving on to longer established viewing locations.”

At least two new ‘hot spot’ sprints prizes will be on offer during this new section of the course, with the popular Wymondham Windmill landmark businesses offering awards to the first rider past their entrance on each ascent of the tough Butt Lane climb. The climb is already well known to the many local cyclists who us the landmark café as their regular coffee stop.
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The event will again retain as its main sponsors, the Giant Store (Rutland Water) and Schwalbe UK, supported by Dare2b sports clothing and Duvel Belgian beer but, will also see some new additions to its secondary sponsors. After a year as sponsor of the race’s timing car, Pearce’s Jewellers of Oakham and Melton will also assume sponsorship of the local East Midlands team that will take part in the race. Pearce’s name being added to the jerseys that the 5 man team will wear to contest the race alongside that of the race’s chosen charity, The Mount Group RDA.

Another name well known to the race following their unforgettable victory in the 2017 with their then rider Dan Fleeman, local machine engineering company Metaltek CNC are to join the race as sponsor of the primary ‘off road’ sections of ‘Somerberg’, ‘StaplePark’ and ‘Sawgate’. After 14 years support of the race’s official vehicles, Tim Norton (Ford) Motors of Oakham are also to be joined in 2019 by more substantive support from Ford UK to assist in meeting increased requirements by the international cycling authorities (UCI) upon vehicles used in race convoys. Further additional sponsor announcements are expected in due course.

The popularity of the race remains unabated with 10 foreign teams already having submitted entries and over 20 British squads already seeking entry with many more expected after entries were opened on 1st November. The final decision upon the teams accepted for the 2019 race will be made by the end of February from what is already expected to be far more than the maximum 176 riders now allowed for any international race anywhere in the World. … continued after advert

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• The associated Rutland CiCLE Tour which takes place on Saturday 27th April, starting and finishing from the premises of one of the Classic’s main sponsors, Giant (Rutland Water) will also receive a face lift. Next year those taking part will be able, if they choose, to ride several of the off road sections included in the following days Classic for the Pros. On road alternatives will remain however, so presenting the best of both ‘gravel’ and ‘road’ riding. Entries are available at www.itpevents.co.uk

• The Women and Junior Men will again get their chance to take part in their own editions of the CiCLE Classic on Sunday 9th June over shortened versions of the International race route. Both events will form part of the British Cycling national Road race series for both their respective categories.

• Entirely new for 2019 the ‘CiCLE’ stable of events will see the addition of races for Elite Men and Women within a freshly created Bourne CiCLE Festival in neighbouring Lincolnshire, organised by South Kesteven District Council under the auspices of their tourist promotional arm, InvestSK.

History

The Rutland – Melton CiCLE Classic was first held in 2005 and after spending two years as a purely British domestic race quickly moved to International status, as a UCI class 1.2 race. As such it is the longest established international one day race in Britain and also holds the record for the most competitors ever to take part in a race on British soil with around 180 riders taking to the roads of East Leicestershire and Rutland each April.

The race is unique in the UK in that it involves many off road sections within its now 198.6 kms (124 miles) course. In doing so it sets out to mimic the style and atmosphere of racing that is normally associated with the major Spring Classic one day races of Northern Europe.

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