A record crowd turned out to this year’s Warwick Cycle Races 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 Dutch rider
2nd Ian Wilkinson Science in Sport/Trek winner of two
previous rounds
3rd Graham Briggs Rapha/Condor/Recycling winner of two
previous rounds and now National Elite Circuit Series
Winner overall
4th Simon Holt Rapha/Condor/Recycling previous winner of a
support race at Warwick in 2006, 4th place means he wins
the Under 23 category in the Elite Series
Women
1st Lizzie Armitstead Team Halford Bike Hut also winner
last year, just returned from the European Womens Track
Championships, held in Poland, with two Gold and one Silver
medal
2nd Katie Colclough Team Halfords Bike Hut also just
returned from the European Junior Track Championships, held
in Poland, with one Gold medal
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
A total of 292 entrants took part. |  | 2008 Photo Gallery
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