Rutland – Melton International CiCLE Classic

What can then be said of the other newly created British Team, Team Wiggins. Established by Sir Bradley himself to support his own aspirations and broaden the chances of Britain’s aspiring Team Pursuiters at taking gold again in that discipline at next years Rio Olympic Games, their racing has been to date largely based in Europe this year where neverleless even without Sir Bradley currently they have via Owain Doull, John Dibben and Andy Tennant been putting up some very strong performances such as at last week’s UCI Under 23’s Nations Cup race in the Netherlands. Still officially contracted to Team Sky until the end of April, Sir Bradley rode his last race for that team at ‘Paris-Roubaix’ with a creditable performance, and whilst he is not expected to compete in this year’s CiCLE Classic, it is possible that he may put in an appearance at the CiCLE Classic in support of his squad.
 
As ever though the greatest challenge to the recent British domination of the CiCLE Classic podium is expected from the top European teams such as An Post-Chain Reaction, ParkHotelNL, Bike Aid for Africa from Germany, newly created team CCT-Champion Systems, top Czech Team Sparta Praha and up and coming Belgian based team with a big name behind them, Team 3M.
 
An Post – Chain Reaction always field strong teams wherever they go and with riders of the calibre of 2014 World’s Under 23 TT silver medalist and former World Track Champion Aaron Gates on their roster they are not expected to be happy to leave Melton with anything less that another top three placing this year.
 
Whilst ParkHotelNL from Valkenburg are yet to name their full squad, last year they brought along former Tour of Britain stage winner Kai Rees and their team is expected to be equally as strong this year, with a local interest angle by the inclusion in the team of James Judd, the Netherlands based Kiwi nephew of the CiCLE Classic race organiser Colin Clews.
 
Meanwhile Bike Aid for Africa have named among their possible team, Mekseb Debesay from Eritrea, the current holder of the UCI Africa Tour and no stranger to climbing, a feature that he can no doubt put to good use around our local roads.
 
With 15 wins to their name in 2014, top Czech Team Sparta Praha return to the CiCLE Classic after a few years absence and will no doubt put their experience of the race to good effect, whereas CCT-Champion Systems and 3M are both new to the race but enthusiastic to make a name for themselves, especially the latter who made their Tour of Britain debut last year.

The FEED Zone for the riders is midway between Owston and Burrough-on-the-Hill – villagers will once again see plenty of action for helpers riders and spectators in this year’s CiCLE Classic.
 

 
Latvian team Reitumu –Delfin, Team Asea from Ireland and Spanish squad Keith-Mobel-Partizan with high ambitions at the CiCLE Classic, round out the continental based challenge.
 
Not to be outdone the supporting British teams such as local Melton based SportGrub-Kuota with consistent CiCLE Classic performer Will Bjergfelt, Leicester’s former World Professional Pursuit Champion and Britsih National Road Race Champion Colin Sturgess, and young Ollie Maxwell making the transition from a second place in last year’s Junior CiCLE Classic to the professional ranks, are expected to be in the overall mix of racing on Sunday.
 
The International race will follow the same 180 kilometre course as in 2014 with major climbs of Cold Overton (x2), Burrough-on-the-Hill (x4) and finally Cuckoo Hill being climbed just over 20 kilometres before the Melton Mowbray finiish line.
 
Particularly significant this year is the addition of a number of new first time local sponsors amongst those supporting the race. Melton based Watch and Clock repairer Vortex Watch & Clock Centre are sponsoring the race timing system, ‘The Whipper In’ in Oakham are sponsoring the King of the Hills competition, and The Grainstore Brewery in Oakham are the new sponsor of the numbers worn by the riders in the CiCLE Classic. The Grainstore Brewery will also sponsor a new award of a quanitiy of their beer for the first rider reaching the sprint line point in Owston village outside Manor Farm.
 

 
With the introduction of the circuit finish through Melton in 2013, the race has a much greater focus and spectator appeal in the town and this year ‘Ye Olde Porke Pie Shoppe’ will sponsor an award on the finish line of the first passage of the race through Sherrard Street of a specially commissioned pork pie. What more could a tired cyclist want along with a Duvel beer after 180 kilometres of racing?
 
First time through the finish line in Melton for the riders in 2014 ; but in 2015, the effort to reach this point will be far more rewarding thanks to ‘Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe’ and Duvel !

Main sponsorship of the race will again be provided by the Giant Store (Rutland Water), Schwalbe UK, and Dare2b clothing, the latter also supporting the ‘Rutland weekend ‘of wider events including the Rutland CiCLE Tour on Satuday 25th April, when over 1500 participants are expected to test themselves over varying distances of sportives from 22 to 100 miles, and the Junior CiCLE Classic held to and from Oakham earlier in the morning of the CiCLE Classic. For anyone wishing to ride the sportifs entries are still available at www.itpevents.co.uk.
 
The Junior CiCLE Classic race introduced for the first time in 2014 is once again repeated, this race newly established as a major counting event in British Cycling’s National Junior Road race series.

Rutland – Melton International CiCLE Classic