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This coming Sunday, Rutland and East Leicestershire play host to the biggest one day cycle race and ONLY International one day race in Britain this year when the 17th edition of the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic Sigma Sports/Schwalbe UK sponsored takes to local roads once again.
Race Director Colin Clews said: “Every year we say that the field assembled for the race is the strongest ever, but this year that statement can be made without hesitation. With 34 teams lined up and riders from over 20 nations including seven current National Champions the race looks set to be an amazingly competitive edition. This year the spectator experience is also enhanced significantly by the activities promoted by Sigma Sports in and around Owston, where there will also be a licenced bar selling Kwaremont Bier alongside the village BBQ."
The unique nature and character of the CiCLE Classic is unlike any other in Britain with its mixture of tarmac roads and farm tracks including the majestic parkland of Stapleford Park on two occasions and its International status make the race one which many riders wish to add to their career records, but only a few are able to achieve this, with the winner each year equiring to haver luck, and technical ability as well as speed to master their fellow competitors and the course itself.
Only one rider, Ian Wilkinson now retired, has managed to win the race twice, and no rider has yet managed back to back wins of the race in consecutive years. This year Finn Crockett, winner of the race in 2022 returns as number one to attempt that feat. Whilst a bronze medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Road race against top flight competition has been a further highlight of his past 12 months, the sad demise of the AST85 Team earlier this year
presented a major blow to his defence of his CiCLE Classic title. It was only after the rapid creation of a Scottish National team to support his bid that he has been able to be on the start line this year.
But Finn is unlikely to have an easy ride should he manage the ‘double’ as last years runner up Tomas Kopecky returns to the race with his new TDT-Unibet squad, with Tomas vowing to go one better this year.
Neither are likely to find their task easy as both the visiting foreign and domestic team are littered with 2023 race winners such as Jasper Rasch of the Netherlands Abloc team, a recent stage winner at the Tour de Loire et Cher, and prolific UK winner Alex Richardson of Saint Piran.
The highest ranked team internationally however remains the New Zealand Based Bolton Equities-Blackspoke team who will no doubt be hoping to show their class over lesser ranked squads.
Many of the foreign teams are bringing to the race their British team members who already have experience of the race, something that may prove crucial for any team seeking success. Whilst British based Trinity Racing have amongst their squad recently crowned British National Cyclo-Cross Champion Cameron Mason obviously buoyed by the success internationally of cyclo-cross stars on the Classics racing scene.
The Cicle Classic returns this Sunday. Photo: NEMM
For the first time ever the race sees two top level development teams in the form of Belgian squad Lotto-Dstny and Canadian team Ecoflo-Chronos as well as the first time participation in the race of a Saudi Arabian cyclist, that countries National Champion Mohammed Aliaber.
As always the race will start at 11.00 am from Oakham Market Place, flagged away on this occasion by the areas MP Alicia Kearns. Before departing the town for its initial section via Wymondham the race will carry out a ceremonial ride past the shop premises of first time race sponsor Sigma Sports who this year join long standing sponsor Schwalbe UK.
After repassing through Oakham the race then makes it way to Owston where a BBQ will be served by the local villagers and this year will have the added attractions of a licenced bar serving Kwaremont Belgian Bier, and an e bike experience presented by Sigma Sports.
A race commentary will also accompany the race on its six passages of the village. The race then makes its way to Stapleford Park and it entry to Melton fort the first time where a giant pork pie courtesy of Dickinson & Morris awaits the first across the finish line with one lap o go. The final winner’s prize then awaits the rider following the challenging 17 km circuit involving Sawgate Lane and Stapleford Park special off road sectors.
The day prior a special ‘Ride out’ is being organised from the Sigma Sports shop in Oakham for anyone wishing to take in the CiCLE Classic experience for themselves. For further details of this and the e bike experience: https://www.sigmasports.com/cicle-classic
The Major sponsors of the CiCLE Classic are Sigma Sports and Schwalbe UK, with additional support from Carter Legrand Wealth Strategies, Melton BID, Metaltek Engineering, Oakham Canal Project, Kwaremont Bier, GSG Cycle Clothing, Pearces Jewellers, The Grainstore Brewery, Manor Farm feeds, A&R Signs, Newstyle Print, Oakham Wines, Wymondham Windmill, and Dickinson & Morris.
For a list of road closures please click here.
For a comprehensive guide of where to view please click here.