Imperial Winter Circuit Series

John Mx/PR

Imperial Winter Circuit Series

The Imperial Winter Series returns on Saturday 7 December 2013 for an 11 week run at West London’s Hillingdon circuit. Imperial Cycles, the new West London race oriented shop, is the title sponsor of this classic series now in its 15th year, the last seven run under the Imperial Racing Team banner.

Picture by Dave Read

The series now comprises three races each day, starting with the ever popular 4th category men – and with a full field of 65 riders already entered for the first race this promises to be as hard fought as ever. Places are obviously going to be limited so early entry is recommended. There’s also the opportunity every week for 4th cats with enough points to move up to take their chances in the Elite race!

Imperial are committed to recognising the growing demand in women’s racing so running alongside 4th cat race will be a new event – a Women’s Go-Race – an opportunity for novice and 4th cat female riders to try their hand at racing without the need for a license or pressure of gaining points. So that they’re not left out the experienced women riders are encouraged to ride in the men’s events (down a category if they wish) and there will also be an all-category one-off Women’s Championship race on New Year’s Day.

The main event is also re-vamped with the E12’s being joined by the 3rds for a single series race of 1hr plus 5 laps: acknowledging that the 3rds will have their work cut out to get points against the E12’s Imperial have agreed a special dispensation with British Cycling for 3rds to secure their own points. Imperial are expecting big fields for this; this race was the founding event for the series and remains extremely popular both with a hard core of riders returning year after year and those newcomers who focus on it for a season.

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Imperial Cycles
The success of Imperial Racing Team and its winter series provided the catalyst for the formation of Imperial Cycles (www.imperialcycles.co.uk): the shop is based in Isleworth and opened its doors in August. Primarily aimed at the sporting rider it clearly has a very strong link to the winter series. The shop itself is first and foremost a workshop but also offers racing frames and bikes from Sarto, one of the only remaining truly handmade frame sets from Italy. Imperial Cycles becomes the principal sponsor of the series, sponsoring the 4th cat with a weekly prize draw of a free full bike service worth £120 and a weekly winner’s prize for the 3rd Cat race – £20 voucher to spend in the shop. You can follow Imperial Cycles on www. Facebook and twitter

Roger Hammond at Imperial Cycles
British racing legend Roger Hammond is special guest at the Imperial Cycles pre-series party at the shop in Isleworth on Saturday 30 November starting 4pm. Hammond (ex-Junior Cyclocross World Champion, 3rd place in Paris-Roubaix) was one of the first riders to race on the Hillingdon circuit when it was opened and has extensive knowledge of racing there, even beating people on his cross bike! The current Directeur Sportif of Madison Genesis, Hammond will give his views and tips on racing successfully at Hillingdon and take a Q&A to cover those burning questions that might make the difference between glory and 20th place! There will also be some racing related special offers.

Websites:
www.imperialracingteam.com for all race information
www.imperialcycles.co.uk for all your bike needs