Warwick Cycle Races 2008 |
A record crowd turned out to Warwick Cycle Races 2008 to enjoy both action from top national and international cyclists and an array of activities.
Sunday’s event, where roads are closed around the centre of Warwick to allow for various cycle races, attracted a top field of athletes.
And there was plenty of racing to watch – ranging from top elite action to the entertaining tricycle and unicycle races.
Nicola Small, Warwickshire County Council’s Sustainable Travel Team Leader, was delighted with the way the day went.
She said: “The square was buzzing, I’ve never seen so many spectators. I’m not sure if it was due to sunshine, our cycling success in the Olympics, the way we promoted the event, or just general increase in interest in cycling - but it was great to see so many people out and about enjoying themselves.”
The event was organised by Warwickshire County Council in partnership with British Cycling, Warwick District Council, Warwickshire PCT and TravelWise.
And this year Warwick Cycle Races was also supported by Warwickshire not-for-profit organisation Action 21.
Richard Hicks, General Manager of Action 21, said: “I’m delighted that so many people were in Warwick to enjoy the races on Sunday. We’re all about promoting cycling, including cycle commuting and everyday cycling, not just cycle sport, and I’m sure that message got out loud and clear at the weekend. The races help to demonstrate just how much fun cycling can be.”
Action 21 runs the Recycle Warehouse at Princes Drive recycling centre, and as part of their work here they promote the environment and cycling through the sale of second-hand bikes. All the bikes are checked and repaired for resale.
As part of their support for the cycle races Action 21 provided a free ‘Dr Bike’ service for members of the public during the race afternoon.
Other supporters and activities included Warwickshire PCT who provided the Blendavenda where visitors could blend their own fruit juice using pedal power, Go Ride who had a slalom cycle circuit for kids to try out and High 5 who provided energy drinks and snack bars for the riders.
The races were once again this year supported by the National TravelWise Association, of which Warwickshire County Council is a member. This is a network of local authorities, health, academic bodies and passenger transport executives working together to promote healthy and sustainable transport.
Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “This event keeps on getting bigger and better. I’m convinced that with fuel prices going up and more people looking for ways to keep fit and healthy in a fun and interesting way that cycling is on the up in Warwickshire.
“You only have to look at Warwickshire County Council’s Cycle Scheme to see the level of interest in cycling locally. More than 350 people have now taken advantage of the scheme where staff can benefit from a new cycle at a reduced cost.
“With an increasing number of cycle ways appearing in the county hopefully events like the Cycle Races will drive more people out of their cars and onto their bikes.”
The popularity of the cycle races also saw several sponsors come forward to support the race including Massey Ferguson, South Wigston and Hinckley Cycle Centre, Chiltern Railways, and the University of Warwick.
The results from the race action were as follows:
Elite Race
1st Jeroen Janssen Pearl Izumi/Planet X/High
2nd Ian Wilkinson Science in Sport/Trek
3rd Graham Briggs Rapha/Condor/Recycling
Women
1st Lizzie Armitstead Team Halford Bike Hut
2nd Katie Colclough Team Halfords Bike Hut
3rd Emma Trott Team Halfords Bike Hut
3/4 Category
1st Darren Atkins Kenilworth resident and member of
Coventry Road Club/Ride wins on his 39th Birthday
4th Category
1st Nick Head from Sutton Coldfield
Under 16s
1st Simon Yates Sports City Velo, Bury
2nd Adam Yates Sports City Velo Bury Simons Twin Brother
3rd Jordan Hargreaves Chevin Cycles Newcastle
1st Under 14 Lucy Garner Leicestershire Road Club the U14
Girls National Champion
Under 12s Boys
1st Daniel Fox Solihull C.C.
2nd Jacob Kelly Lichfield City Cycling Club
3rd Jack Ravenscroft Halesowen Athletic & Cycling Club
Under 12s Girls
1st Grace Garner Leicestershire Road Club
2nd Emily Nelson Lichfield City Cycling Club
3rd Natalie Clements Solihull Cycling Club
Under 10s
1st Charlotte Broughton Leicester Off Road Club
2nd Sophie Capewell Lichfield City Cycling Club
3rd Cameron Biddle Halesowen Athletic & Cycling Club
Under 8s
1st Matthew Shaw Solihull Cycling Club
2nd Richard Harrison Solihull Cycling Club
3rd Matthew Lewis Wolverhampton Wheelers
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The Flying Dutchman
The Flying Dutchman, and 2008 winner of the Warwick Cycle Races Elite Race, Jeroen Janssen, has taken time out from his busy racing and training schedule to chat to us ahead of the 2009 race.
Warwick suits my style of riding, it’s a very technical circuit, and certainly one for the more explosive riders.
Having gone fully professional this year (riding for team Madison), I’m hoping for good things at Warwick. Last year the bunch split early on, which made things easier.
One of the things with Warwick is to maintain your concentration levels at all times, because of its technical nature.
I started pretty late into racing at 17, and now at 25 I’ve managed to go pro for the first time. It wasn’t racing that got me into cycling though. It was through riding a bike to commute. I really enjoy cycling, and saved up to buy my first proper racing bike. It was a few years though before I started to win anything. This year has been great, particularly racing in Majorca earlier in the year shoulder to shoulder with some of the biggest names in the sport.
I’m incredibly busy with racing this time of year, the training all happens before May, with about 16-20 hours of cycling a week, and now there are all the races, with just enough time to recover and train a little bit in between. I’m working on quite a few sprints at the moment.
If I was to advise anyone, young or old, about getting into cycling I would say enjoy it. That’s the reason I cycle, because it’s fun and I enjoy it, if you don’t enjoy something it’s just not pleasurable, so have fun and get out there.
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Warwick Cycle Races 2007 |
A record number of entrants battled it out on the streets of Warwick in 2007's TravelWise Cycle Races.
In total 329 riders, aged from just six to 70-years-old, took part on the town centre course around the centre of Warwick.
Gordon McCauley became the second rider from New Zealand to win the Elite Race following the win last year by Warrick Spence. Gordon McCauley will be riding for his home nation in the Professional World Racing Championships in Germany at the end of this month.
The women’s race was dominated by Lizzie Armitstead, the current National Champion, who led from the first lap.
But it wasn’t all serious action on the track with this year attracting 36 youngsters in the under 10 category, plus some one-wheeled fun and games from the unicycle race – won again this year by world record holder Roger Davies.
There was plenty of action off the circuit as well with face painting, hula hoop demonstrations, juggling displays, a minicycle circuit and a Dr Bike session with Alex Brown from the Recycling Warehouse in Princes Drive, Leamington.
Crowds of people turned out to spectate and many would have spotted the winner of the TravelWise regional ‘Face Factor’ competition Mark Billingham in his Dame Edna garb. Mark will now be appearing in an advertising campaign for TravelWise to promote public transport.
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Warwick Cycle Races 2006 |
The sun shone gloriously on Warwick all Sunday for the 3rd year of the Cycle races. The Town Centre buzzed as a record number of race entries (284 in total) and spectators gathered in the Town Square.
The Women’s Cycle Racing Association National Circuit Race Championship was won by Lorna Webb of KSV Deerlijk Gaverzight Cycling team, Mayor McFarland did the honours of presenting the ladies with their prizes. Councillor George Atkinson who used to take part in Cycling Time trials himself a number of years ago started the 3rd, 4th and Juniors category race, this was won by Simon Holt Merlin Development Squad.
The penultimate Men’s Elite race saw a clear victory for Warrick Spence (London Dynamo) as he crossed the finish line 30 seconds clear of James Taylor (Plowman Craven RT). The race was eventful as Kristian House one of the frontrunners of the race had two dramatic mishaps. First House broke his crank with 2 laps to go then he took a tumble after trying to regain his advantage.
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Malcolm Elliot Tour of Spain points jersey winner battled it out with World Champion Rob Hayles (Team KLR) and did enough to secure the Elite race series. Peter Mooney race organiser said “The riders love the course and the setting so it always makes a good finale to the race series.” He added “the event gets better and better every year and hopefully the event will continue to run for some time.”
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For more information about this and other TravelWise events, call 01926 412252 or email sustainabletravel@warwickshire.gov.uk |