Bourne Wheelers announce strong field for Sunday's Tim James Memorial Grand Prix, raising money for Young Lives v Cancer
Bourne Wheelers Cycling Club will pay tribute to one of its own on Sunday when they host a memorial race for Tim James.
Budding professional cycle racer Tim died aged just 23 last May after almost a year battling a very rare cancer.
Tim's cycling career began with his hometown club who have attracted a strong field for the Timmy James Memorial Grand Prix. It will raise money for the Young Lives Vs Cancer charity.
A first memorial race was staged last July by SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling whom Tim had joined ahead of the 2020 season,
"We were hoping to get something organised for last summer in Timmy's memory, but with Covid restrictions it wasn't possible," explained race organiser and Tim's former coach Mark Botteley.
"Luckily his team managed to get something sorted up in Yorkshire where they were based, but now we're in a position to host the race around his training roads.
"All the local cyclists and friends who saw him develop as a rider and grow into such an amazing young man will be able to be part of the event, be it participate or spectate, to celebrate and remember him."
The 82-mile race takes in seven-and-a-half laps of the challenging Witham, Little Bytham, Ryhall circuit and finishes at the top of Barbers Hill, a regular climb for Tim.
The day will also include a round of the Junior/Under 23s National Women's series, starting at 10am, with the grand prix off at 1.30pm.
"A really strong field has been attracted for both races," Mark said.
The 80-strong field includes many riders from the Bourne CiCLE Classic race in 2019, including winner Damian Clayton and Bourne's own Ali Slater, who finished third.
Bourne Wheelers Alex and Dan Galpin also feature alongside almost 20 elite category riders.
Former Bourne Wheeler Georgia Bullard joins a classy field for the women's race.
The race, the biggest on the national domestic calendar this weekend, is supported by Phil Galpin and Bourne-based civil engineering company JJ Mac.
Mark added: "We would also like to thank the other main contributors to the event - Hoppers Jewellers and Stephanie's Flowers - as well as Mark Callun and his team at Witham Preparatory School for allowing us to use their fantastic facility as a base."
Donations will be invited for Young Lives Vs Cancer, formerly called Clic Sargent.
There will also be fundraising refreshment stalls at race headquarters and the finish where Barber's Hill Farm owner Mike Chapman has allowed race followers to park.