Top cyclists head to county
TOP class cycling returns to Rutland with the International CiCLE Classic Cross on Sunday January 17.
It will be the second time the race has been staged in at Whitwell and forms the sixth and final round of the British Cycling National Trophy cyclo-cross series of the 2009/2010 winter season.
Race director Colin Clews said: "Cyclo-cross is a tremendous spectator sport, providing quick-fire cross country action by the competitors over a short two to three kilometre course.
"In Belgium it is the major winter sport and is regularly held in front of crowds of 20,000 to 30,000 people.
"While its popularity in Britain is currently far less, our aim is to stage racing as near as possible to the Belgian style and present the races at the high level of professionalism that has become a trademark of the CiCLE Classic."
The course devised for the Rutland CiCLE Cross involves a mixed terrain of tarmac, grassland, rough tracks which include a set of steps especially built at the Whitwell venue for the first event just over 12 months ago; a set of hurdles, and a stunning ride along the shoreline of Rutland Water.
The course also features a mini 'washboard' section which will be familiar to the several Belgian competitors who are expected to give the best British riders stiff competition on home soil.
A Rutland Schools race will also be at the same venue, the day before, by Rutland County Council over a shortened and simplified course.
The event is sponsored by Rutland County Council and is supported by the East Midlands Development Agency, MARS (UK), Dare2b clothing, Tim Norton Motor Services, Anglian Water and Abacus Equipment Hire. Entry for spectators is free.
* THE CiCLE Cross event is seen as the little sister of the East Midlands International CiCLE Classic, which is held in April on roads between Oakham and Melton Mowbray.
The CiCLE classic, with riders from all over Europe, takes place on April 25 and is preceded by two CiCLE tours the previous day - a 100 mile race and a 50 mile race, and entry for these is now open.
For more details of the CiCLE Classic visit www.cicleclassic.co.uk and for information about the tour see www.sientries.co.uk
* VELO Club Rutland, which began racing this year, is looking at the Cross event with the possiblity of entering next year's event.
Club secretary Paul Slater said: "We only started racing this year but some of the muontain bikers will be looking at it for next year."
The club meets on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays and will host a regional Friday Might Summer Series mountain bike race at Greetham in August.
For details about riding with Velo Club Rutland call Paul on 07801 619743.
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Weather for Bourne
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -6 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to -0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
