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Top cyclists back Bourne CiCLE Classic at official launch




A major new cycle road race that will start and finish in Bourne has the potential to inject as much as £250,000 into the local economy, one of the organisers of the event has said.

The Bourne CiCLE Classic, which was officially launched at the Bourne Corn Exchange on Thursday, November 1, will see professional road races for men and women, plus a Sportive event and time trial, take place over the weekend of August 31 and September 1 next year.

Race adviser Colin Clews, who is also the creator of the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic which has run since 2005, said the new event had the ability to mirror the success of other CiCLE Classics.

Cyclists and race officials at the launch of the Bourne CiCLE Classic Photo: Lee Hellwing (5167023)
Cyclists and race officials at the launch of the Bourne CiCLE Classic Photo: Lee Hellwing (5167023)

"We did a study in 2011 looking at the economic benefits of the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic to the area and found that it was close to £250,000," said Colin.

"We won't get that immediately with the Bourne CiCLE Classic but we are in this for the long term and it's something we will be aiming for.

"We're already off to a good start thanks to the experienced team we have running the new event and many are involved in running others races like this one around the country."

Race adviser Colin Clews Photo: Lee Hellwing (5167010)
Race adviser Colin Clews Photo: Lee Hellwing (5167010)

Colin said the area around Bourne lent itself to an "exciting bike ride" as the route passed through picturesque villages and beautiful countryside.

"The terrain is not massively hilly but has good contours," he said.

Colin said they were creating a cycle race that would involve communities in and around Bourne as the route passed close to Stamford, Market Deeping and Grantham and will include Grimsthorpe Castle.

"From a spectator point of view there are plenty of great spots along the route to watch all the action," he said.

"The event has all the ingredients to make it a great sporting spectacle."

The Bourne CiCLE Classic was officially launched on November 1 at the Bourne Corn Exchange Photo: Lee Hellwing (5167016)
The Bourne CiCLE Classic was officially launched on November 1 at the Bourne Corn Exchange Photo: Lee Hellwing (5167016)

Some of the UK’s top cyclists have voiced their support for the race, including Cherie Pridham, a world class rider in a pioneering era for women’s cycling, manager of Vitus Pro Cycling and a highly experienced team manager.

“It’s hard to overstate the importance of a new, elite level race on home soil to a British-registered, UCI Continental team like Vitus Pro Cycling,” said Cherie.

“Great Britain is a hub of world class cycling talent, with homegrown athletes succeeding in the sport’s biggest events. While the likes of Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas and Simon Yates win the Tours of Italy, France and Spain, a new race in Britain will give teams like ours the opportunity to showcase the development of young, British riders on home roads.

“If this new event gains the status and recognition of the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic, it will be a very welcome addition to the domestic calendar.”

Route maps for both the women’s race on Saturday, August 31, and the men’s race on Sunday, September 1 were released at the launch.

The routes total 175 kilometres for men and 114 kilometres for women making it one of the longest women's races on the UK calendar.

Among the riders at the launch was Georgia Bullard, formerly with Bourne Wheelers and now a member of top women’s team Fusion RT.

From left front: Georgia Bullard and Leah Dixon with Charles Page (left) and Russell Downing Photo: Lee Hellwing (5167026)
From left front: Georgia Bullard and Leah Dixon with Charles Page (left) and Russell Downing Photo: Lee Hellwing (5167026)

Georgia took up cycling with Bourne Wheelers to improve that aspect of her triathlon performance.

She fell in love with cycling and, helped by Bourne Wheelers coach, Mark Botteley, started race riding and progressed to national level.

Georgia, who was the youngest rider in the Tour de Yorkshire and won this year’s Berkhamsted Road Race, still rides regularly with the Wheelers.

Other top cyclists at the launch who voiced their support for the new event included Russell Downing, a semi-professional former track racer; Team On Form's Leah Dixon; and Charles Page, a semi-professional rider with Canyon Eisberg.

SKDC cabinet member for retail and the visitor economy, Coun Nick Robins (Con), said the event would have significant benefits for the area.

He said: “It’s a brand new event for South Kesteven and part of our overall plan to stage a high profile event in each of our market towns.

“It will bring in visitors, deliver real economic benefits and put Bourne on the map for two-wheeled sport rather than the four-wheeled motor racing pedigree it has enjoyed in the
past.”



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