Press Release: Olympic gold medallist Ed Clancy to compete at Warwick Cycle Races

Olympic medallists Ed Clancy and Rob Hayles will be among 70 elite cyclists in town next month for the annual Warwick Cycle Races.

Clancy was a gold medallist in the 2008 Beijing team pursuit, while Hayles won silver and bronze medals at Athens 2004 in the team pursuit and Madison events.

The race, on Sunday, September 6, will be the climax of a day’s worth of events, including round five of British Cycling’s inaugural National Disability Circuit Race series and amateur races for local adult and junior cyclists.

Spectators will be able to try unicycling and juggling, while there will also be children’s rides, face painting and balloon making.

The first race of the day will be at 11am, starting at the Shire Hall in Market Place. The elite professionals race, sponsored by local sustainable travel group TravelWise, from 5pm for just over an hour.

Cllr Alan Cockburn, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “Since the Beijing Games and the incredible success of the Team GB cyclists, the interest in the sport has been incredible.

“It’s great news for the races in Warwick town centre to have one of the gold medallists in the elite race.

“There are also people like Kristian House, who have beaten the likes of Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins in the national championships, so it’s going to be an exciting race and very close up.”

Karen Hall, of Warwickshire County Council’s sustainable travel team, explained the racing. She said: “The town centre circuit is about one km long and the cyclists will race for an hour – then there are five laps to conclude the race. It’s about 30 miles, but spectators can get a great view.

“There are plenty of other events during the day too for families or people who just like cycling. The amateur race is open to all so if people fancy a challenge, they should definitely enter.

“Plus there is the chance for people to win their own bike and gym passes in our competition being run on the day, so look out for people handing out the entry cards.”

The race is organised by Warwickshire County Council in partnership with British Cycling, TravelWise, Warwick District Council and Action 21. The race has this year been sponsored by TravelWise, Mercia Securities Ltd, Warwickshire Direct, South Wigston and Hinckley Cycle Centre and Carillion.

To see a full plan of the day’s races and to enter, visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/cycleraces

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Race details:
11.00 Under -12s race (Youth C category) Entry fee £5.50
11.30 4th Category, Come and try it race - This is the race for the less experienced riders, including novices. Anyone can try out cycle racing, women may enter this race as well as men. Entry fee £5.50
12.15 Under-10s race (Youth D/E categories). Entry fee £3
13.00 3/4 Category race - this is the race for most local club riders, including women. Entry fee £12.50
13.50 Solo and Tandem Disability Race. Entry fee £10.50
14.30 Women's Race sponsored by Hinckley and South Wigston Cycle Centre - this race is for the serious women riders. Novice women riders and women club riders can enter the 4 Category and 3/4 category races. Entry fee £12.50
15.20 Under-16s race (Youth A/ B categories). Entry fee £5.50
16.20 Tricycle and Disability Race. Proper racing trikes. Entry fee £10.50
17.00 Elite Mens Circuit Race (Categories El, 1 & 2). The professionals show how it's done. Entry fee £12.50

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