Spring CiCLE Classic in the East Midlands - April 27th 2008

Massive field set to take on the ultimate ‘spring’ CiCLE Classic East Midlands challenge on Sunday April 27th

180 riders from nine countries will take the start of this years East Midlands International CiCLE Classic making the field the biggest ever to have lined up on Britain’s roads outside of the Tour de France.
Whilst the course remains largely unchanged from the 2007 edition; except for the resurfacing of the initial Stygate special sector of the race; the recent poor weather suggests that this years race will be the hardest ever with the notorious ‘Somerberg’ special sector waiting to greet the unwary and less able amongst the massive field.
The race continues to prompt greater local interest than ever in cycle sport in the East Midlands, and with an Italian fair planned to be held in association with the race start in Oakham at 11.00 on Sunday 27th April, more spectators than ever are expected to see this fourth edition of the unique and spectacular race take place.
Last years winner and runner up, Britain’s Malcolm Elliott of Pinarrello and Ian Wilkinson of Science in Sport both return to try their hand once again, whilst third placed rider in 2007, Michael Skelde of Denmark, returns this time as manager of a young and talented Danish based Glud & Marstrand squad.
The East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and MARS UK sponsored race will once again feature various intermediate competitions such as the East Midlands Airport ‘High Flyer’ King of the Hills, and the Melton Building Society ‘Most Aggressive rider’ awards in addition to NFU Mutual Hot spot sprints competitions in Oakham Town Centre and in the real ‘heartland’ of the race, the tiny village of Owston where the crowds are once again expected to congregate, ‘warmed up’ by the CiCLE Classic Kermesse race for lower category riders earlier in the day.
A barbeque and beverages will once again be on offer to the spectators who flock to Owston welcomed by the villagers whose reputation has been enhanced by its absorbtion in the race, which is now being taken up by other local viIllages such as Whissendine which appears on the race route again just eight miles from the finish line in Melton Mowbray’s Sherrard Street.
Just who will fight out the finish of this years race waits to be seen, but with the organisers having given attention to the increased provision of neutral wheel and service support this year, all those unlucky enough to puncture on the worst roads that the course throws in their way, will hopefully have greater opportunity of rejoining the leaders, if they have the ability to do so.
The East Midlands is represented again by a team sponsored by emda and although they are unlikely to feature in the top places, this generous sponsorship gives the opportunity to six young local riders to participate in an event at the highest level which they may not have otherwise obtained.
With several British based riders representing forewign based squads returning in order to contest the CiCLE Classic this year, it shows the growing reputation that the race is building for itself through the severity of the course and the level of competition that it engenders amongst all those wishing to take on the challenge it presents.

Several of the continental teams taking part such as Dukla Merida Trenchin from Slovakia and Irelands newest professional squad, Pezula, have spent the past winter racing in the far east and Pezula will arrive fresh from encouraging performances against the very top teams in the world in the recent Presidential Tour in Turkey where Cieron Power once agin showed why only a few years ago he was being courted by some of the biggest teams in Europe.

“ The CiCLE Classic has come along way in a short space of time” said Race Director Colin Clews,” and the fact that several teams are planning to reconnoitre the course over the week leading up to race day shows the respect that the riders have for the truly unique course that the race presents, and the importance that a good perfomance in the race now represents and means to so many riders. Any winner of the race needs luck, but they need even more the physical and mental strength required of the very best to remain at the front of a race which is truly unrelenting, from the initial breakneck speed of the compact bunch around the two laps of Rutland Water to the final strength sapping and gruelling climb of Sawgate Lane into Burton Lazers, and then the final off road section before the descent into historic Melton. Everyone that survives should be considered a modern day gladiator. Only one can win, but everyone will have a tale to tell of their day in the 2008 CiCLE Classic!”

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