London circuits mount Condor Cycles 3-day 2014

Stuart Benstead

3 Day stage race held at Hillingdon, Cyclopark and Velopark

The new Condor Cycles London 3-day to be held on three traffic free London purpose-designed race circuits. Especially tempting is that the first stage presents club riders with an early opportunity to compete at the brand new Lee Valley VeloPark circuit in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The innovative Condor Cycles 3-day stage race is to be held 3/4/5 May 2014. It will be open to 2nd and 3rd category riders with attractive overall and stage prize lists.

Following the opening stage at the brand new Lea Valley VeloPark circuit on the Saturday, the second stage is at CycloPark in Gravesham within the already preplanned SERR League meeting on the Sunday. The final stage is at Hillingdon on the Bank Holiday Monday.

Initiated by Jez Cox, Stuart Benstead, and Paul Panton, of the managements of the three venues, each stage will have a local organiser with supporting programmes of events that will vary in each case to promote local sport most appropriately on that date.

“We are thrilled to be supporting an innovative three day race series that is spread across iconic London, a place where Condor first put down roots over sixty five years ago. The event is a great platform for riders to gain experience of stage racing and show their talents. It also further deepens our commitment to grassroots racing, which we focus on with our development programme at Rapha Condor JLT as well supporting the grassroots programmes of County Cycles and Catford Bank Equipe RT”: Grant Young, Managing Director.

The organisers all have thriving weekly leagues and want to offer their regular riders the opportunity to ride a stage race, which is a very rare opportunity at club level. It is also recognised that each circuit would gain by encouraging newcomers to look further afield to give a more balanced knowledge and enjoyment of what is available in the London area.

Each circuit is conscious of the huge growth in interest in racing by newcomers to cycling, whether through charity rides, triathlons, or inspired by watching the London Olympics from the roadside and the subsequent Surrey London race and sportive. This new stage race will broaden that experience.

Exact details are on the BC website. Basically it is for 2/3 cat riders, with all stages being 80km, with an entry fee of £65. Transponders will be used for ultra accurate timing, supplemented with photo finish or similar electronic equipment. Both the stages and the GC qualify for BC ranking points.