There was some excellent racing in the big local road races at the weekend. Sunday afternoon it was the Bourne Cicle GP National A race with 100 of the top riders in the country competing over 112 miles of narrow grippy country roads which constantly changed direction, with no big climbs but constant ups and downs giving 5400 ft of climbing over the whole course in the lanes between Bourne and Grantham.
From the start the bunch started to split, particularly the first time through the Grimsthorpe estate as the cross winds caught out the weaker riders. Peter Cocker (Richardsons Cycles) used his local knowledge to ensure that he was always near the front and despite having to chase back after two mechanical problems he made the decisive split of 20 riders which formed with around 15 miles to go. This group rapidly pulled ahead and then split again with 9 riders going clear with Damian Clayton (Ribble Pro Cycling) proving the strongest going on to win on his own in 4.03.59. Peter placed 13th overall coming in 4th in the chasing group of 11 riders 3.40 later. The tough nature of the race was indicated by the fact that only 48 riders finished with the last one some 17 minutes behind the winner. Peter was very pleased with this result, his best placing at this the highest level of domestic racing.
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This Sunday 1st Sept ex-wheeler Peter Cocker and many of the countries top riders can be seen locally as they race in the Bourne GP. This is part of the first weekend long Bourne Cycling Festival organised by South Kesetevn District Council which will include many cycling related activities for young and old of all abilities. The feature events include
Sportive – 8.00am-12pm Saturday
Womens Road Race – 2.45 to 6pm Saturday
Womens Team Time Trial – 10.30 to 11.30 Sunday
Mens Road Race – 1 pm to 5.40pm Sunday
The mens race starts and finishes in Bourne town centre and takes in 3 circuits out into the countryside between Bourne and Grantham with a rolling road closure for a total of 174kms, the constant small climbs, changes of direction and grippy country roads are sure to produce a worthy winner.
Full details of events and routes can be found on the event website at https://www.bourneciclefestival.com
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News: Website for Bourne CiCLE Festival
As activity builds towards the festival, organised by South Kesteven District Council and its economic growth company, InvestSK, the website – www.bourneciclefestival.com – will be constantly updated. It carries some details on the four major cycling events taking place over the weekend (31 August – 1 September) – men’s and women’s elite races, a time trial and an amateur riders’ sportive.
Cycling route plans are now online, with timings, car parking, activities in Bourne over the weekend and ideas for community events along the race route. Most of the UK’s professional teams have indicated an interest in participating, with entries opening on 5 April, and the website will carry profiles on riders and teams taking part. The sportive, run by Bourne’s cycling club the Bourne Wheelers, takes place over three different distances and can be booked online.
There will also be full details of events in the town, from BMX cycling displays to heritage cycles. Cllr Nick Robins, SKDC Cabinet Member for Visitor Economy, said: “The momentum for this event is starting to build among residents, businesses and the cycling community and now we have the website live to add to that. “It’s even got suggestions for how people can get involved with what promises to be an amazing event.
“We would love to see communities along the route arranging events to celebrate what’s happening on their doorstep, perhaps a village BBQ, race bunting, painted or even knitted cycles along the route”.
New cycle road race in South Lincolnshire
New Major Event in South Lincolnshire
A major new cycle race is to be staged in South Kesteven in 2019 – starting and finishing in Bourne.
The Bourne CiCLE Classic will see professional road races for men and women, plus a Sportive event, over the weekend of 31 August and 1 September 2019 – promising significant economic benefits as well as an exciting spectacle.
South Kesteven District Council’s Visitor Economy team is organising the event and working with professional cycle event organisers including Colin Clews, responsible for the Rutland / Melton CiCLE Classic, to stage the event.
The routes, which fill a geographic race gap on the east of the UK, total 175 kilometres for men and 114 kilometres for women riders (one of the longest womens’ races in the UK calendar). It will take riders close to both Stamford and Grantham and will include historic Grimsthorpe Castle.
Coming at the end of the season, it is a golden opportunity for riders to justify their selection for the following week’s Tour of Britain and the World Championships in Yorkshire. Professional cyclists will be at the launch, including Anna Henderson and Rebecca Durrell along with Carl Lawrenson, Race Director Brian Moran and Race Advisor Colin Clews. A GoPro film of the route will be revealed as well.
