Sunday: CiCLE Classic UCI Road Race

For the first time in its over 20 years of existence, the Rutland International CiCLE Classic will both start and finish in Oakham town centre. Here’s a look at where the race goes …

Sunday: CiCLE Classic UCI Road Race

The 19th CICLE CLASSIC set to hit local roads on Sunday! For the first time in its over 20 years of existence, the Rutland International CiCLE Classic will both start and finish in Oakham town centre. Sponsored jointly for third year running by Sigma Sports and Schwalbe UK, the race reaches new roads in and around Oakham and Britain’s smallest county.

Large version of map

Its unique character involving taking in the harshest terrain and farm tracks that the area can offer, will however be unchanged as will its ‘Belgian Classic’ style atmosphere. Covering 177 kms in total and taking the international field of 176 riders around just four and a half hours to complete the race, the event is set to be the biggest ever and compensation for the disappointment of the race’s forced cancellation just 12 months ago owing to severe flooding over most of the course.

The popularity of the event remains high with teams from the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Ireland and for the very first time Italy will face the best British domestic riders which include a Great Britain team comprising current Olympic and World Champions.

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Speaking today, Race Director Colin Clews said;” This year the race enters uncharted territory with the finish in Oakham, but a challenge which we feel will be very much worth the effort with Rutland County Council offering strong moral support to the event. A craft and food fair will be active in Oakham all through race day and we hope that more spectators than ever will come out to support the event and associated activities.

There will inevitably be significant traffic disruption in and around Oakham particularly between 15.00 and 16.00 hours when the race finishes. However, we would ask for anyone who may be potentially inconvenienced by the race to plan their routes and timing of their travel accordingly.” Between that above hours, the centre of Oakham from the Level crossing, through to the Burley Road / Burley Parkway Island and the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial, will be completely closed to civilian traffic to ensure the safety of the race competitors and public alike.

Now the longest ever running international one day cycle road race in the UK, the race each year brings to the area international competitors and spectators from Europe and beyond, and with it considerable economic benefit to the area over the weekend of the race and its associated sportif rides.

Clews continued, “For the race to be based totally in Rutland for the first time presents a wonderful opportunity for the people of Rutland and local businesses to benefit from event and we hope that along with villages like Owston and Wymondham, that the race passes through many times on its route, that the atmosphere on the day in Oakham can be like a local carnival.”

Approximate timings along the route which will also be accompanied with rolling road closures are as follows:

START Oakham — 11.00
Wymondham — 11.20 – 1215
Ashwell — 12.20
Oakham — 12.30
Cold Overton — 12.45
Somerby/Owston/Burrough — 12.50- 14-30
Stapleford — 14.45
Wymondham — 15.00
Market Overton — 15.05
Cottesmore — 15.10
Ashwell — 15.20
Burley on the Hill — 15.25
FINISH Oakham — 15.35 approx

WHERE TO WATCH
As in previous years, the opportunities to view the race will be greater than ever in 2024. For the enthusiastic spectator the race is possibly the most spectator friendly races to ever watch. it is possible to see the race in between 15 – 20 places during its circuitous route between from Oakham and on this occasion returning to finish in Oakham. This year we have sponsorship of the start and finish areas in Oakham is by ‘Pearces The Jewellers. Who also sponsor the King of the Bergs and Top Team competitions.

Suggestions:
1. The START in Oakham Town Centre (Team Presentation and interviews with the race favourites on the race podium from 9.50 until the start at 11.00am, with many outlets open and serving coffee to help keep all refreshed as well as entertained.

2. For those wishing to see the race start proper, this will take place close to the entrance to Rutland Enterprise Park entrance on Ashwell Road. After a 4.3 km neutralised ride out from the Market Place.

3. Once again, It will be quick in Wymondham with FIVE viewings in around 35 minutes, but Wymondham village will play host to the race on its new opening section. Where better to watch that at the Berkeley Arms in Main Street or the Windmill where three Hot Spot sprints take place on the climb.

4. This year the new ‘Mataberg’ sector, adds an extra attraction to this early part of the race. Whilst this sector is NOT open to spectators, the final steep and narrow climb back to Glebe Road just a short distance from the village centre is well worth a viewing.

5. You will need to leave Oakham in advance of the race start to make it to Wymondham by just after 11 o’clock when the village will be closed down, but refreshments and entertainment will be there, and it is totally practical that having seen the race there, leaving via Stapleford and Leesthorpe, to get to Owston before the race arrives there for the first time. Why not give it a try? It will be AWESOME!

6. Back then to Oakham Town Centre to see the Oakham Wines sprint be contested.

7. The ‘Barleyberg’ climb, newly resurfaced will be reinstated into the route and gives extensive views across Rutland Water as the riders crest this ascent or if that preferred to the high speed sprint in Oakham for the ‘Oakham Wines’ sprint.

8. That leads directly to the top of Cold Overton hill for the first King of the Hills climb.

9. Or alternatively await the first passage of ‘Somerberg’ which this year occurs before the race reaches Owston for its first passage of the village.

10. Owston or Burrough on the Hill for the races many passages through those villages. At Owston, enjoy the party atmosphere of the day, the village BBQ, and the opportunity of taking in the pleasure of a ‘Kwaremont’ Belgian beer to accentuate the real character of the race. Or enjoy a more relaxed view of the race from Grant’s Free House at Burrough over Sunday lunch and/ or a welcome drink.

11. Or back to Cold Overton Hill for the fourth King of the Hills climb, or onto ‘Somerberg’ (Bruces Lane) for the ultimate CiCLE Classic experience.

12. Stapleford Park to see the race traverse the passage of the new off road sectors dissecting the beautiful parkland area.

13. The race then heads back for a further quick passage of Wymondham village passing the Windmill and Berkeley arms once again before heading to Market Overton, Cottesmore and Ashwell before plunging down Burley Road to the Finish in the High Street in Oakham around 15.30.

14. Because of the nature of the final run in to Oakham, be aware that there is likely to be significant disruption traffics flows into and around Oakham between 15.00 and 16.00 hours, so to ensure seeing the finish, early arrival in Oakham is recommended.

Hot & cold drinks and snacks will be available at various locations on and around the course, not the least at the start and finish areas in Oakham town centre, and ‘al fresco’ BBQ style at Owston where a party atmosphere and ‘Kwaremont’ bar is always guaranteed, and where there will be a commentary point for much of the race.

Please allow plenty of time to get from one point to another and be prepared to encounter the road closures which will apply as soon as the race approaches and will apply until the last of the ‘effective’ race passes. Also please remember to park your cars well off the road especially if parking on any of the many narrow roads that the race uses particularly around Owston and Burrough on the Hill.

If viewing at Owston, please use the identified car parks and always obey any instructions from race marshals.

Have a great viewing day!

Full route details are available at www.cicleclassic.co.uk

Whilst Sigma Sports and Schwalbe UK are the main sponsors of the event, this year more than ever the supporting sponsors represent several local companies. Pearce’s the Jewellers sponsor the King of the Bergs and Top Team competitions, with the winner of the former receiving in addition to a cash prize of £100, a special edition Tissot Tour de France chronograph valued at £560. Race vehicles are once again and for the 20th year are provided by Tim Norton Motors of Oakham, and The Grainstore Brewery sponsor the race numbers and the special ‘riders weight in Beer’ award. Metaltek Engineering of Melton sponsor several of the ‘special sectors’ for which the race is renowned and ‘ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe ‘of Melton, and Wymondham Windmill both sponsor special awards for the winner an a special sprints competition with Oakham Wines once more sponsoring the sprint award for the first rider back into Oakham on its first return passage after visiting Wymondham.

Anyone wishing to take part in the all comers sportif rides from and back to Sigma Sports premises in Oakham on Saturday 26th Aoril can still enter at Entry details as follows:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-sigma-sports-cicle-classic-sportif-tickets-779392292327?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Background.

The Rutland CiCLE Classic has been running since 2005. It has been a full international race since 2007. No other race in British cycling history has retained international status for the length of years that the CiCLE Classic has. The CiCLE Classic remains the only single day International road race in the UK.