International CiCLE Classic 2008

With the status of the East Midlands International CiCLE Classic (The UK's own Paris Roubaix) increasing year on year the will to win the race has also increased amongst the visiting teams as much, no doubt, as it has amongst the British competitors.

Welcome to Hell

More continental teams than ever before will line up for the East Midlands CiCLE Classic, sponsored by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and Mars uk. Of the foreign teams already declared for the 2008 edition of the CiCLE Classic, which will be fought out on the roads and byeways of Rutland and East Leicestershire on Sunday 27th April, each are indicating that this year whoever takes the winners spoils will have won a battle royal.

Last year, ex Tour de France Veteran Malcolm Elliott (Pinarello) from Sheffield slid home in a tight sprint in front of a lead group of 12 who were the survivors of the punishing 100 miles course between Oakham and Melton Mowbray. Well represented in that group were Glud & Marstrand of Denmark, Dukla Trenchin from Slovakia and Sparebanken Vest of Norway, all of whom return again with just one aim, to take back with them the 2008 winners trophy.

Also from 2007 the Ruiter de Kappellan team from the Netherlands returns having undergone a radical overhaul during the winter as a result of former Tour de France star Steven Rooks having joined the team as Technical Advisor. The affect this has had on the team can be judged by the recent success of one of the teams youngest riders Germ van den Berg in the Netherlands first major race of the season, the Ster van Zolle ahead of 185 other riders from another 30 of that country’s best teams. Van den Berg, 24th in the 2007 CiCLE Classic has already been named by his team to compete again along with top cyclo-cross rider Maarten Nijland, 2007 winner of the Mallory Park Round of the British National Triophy series.

Firstimers to the CiCLE Classic in 2008 will be Ireland’s top team Pezula, featuring Ireland’s national champion David O’Loughlin, and top Belgian continental team Profel – Prorace who bring with them British rider Daniel Shand.

Also returning especially for the CiCLE Classic are Belgian based British riders Andrew Griffiths and Alex Atkins both of whom are looking to put one over their domestic based counterparts during a rare outing on British soil.

The East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and MARS uk sponsored CiCLE Classic always provides a highly competitive race in which luck also plays a great part. This year special static neutral wheel pits will be located at the end of each of the worst ‘off tarmac’ sections, and an additional moto service bike will be available to reduce the potential time loss by riders suffering punctures and mechanical problems. The latter will be provided by ex top riders gary and Glenn Coltman under the banner of PedalPower of Loughborough.

“The organisation and sponsors are always looking for ways to improve the event via our joint commitment to presenting an event race which is both spectacular and justifies its international tag,” said Race Director Colin Clews. “We also wish it to be seen as developing access to cycling in the region and demonstrating the opportunities for competitive and leisure forms of cycling that the area offers. What better way to prove this than by having some of the best racing cyclists in the world putting on the best FREE show of the year”.

Speaking about emda’s sponsorship of the CiCLE Classic, Tracy Croft, East Midlands Coordinator for the 2012 Games said: “We are delighted to once again be a principal sponsor of the CiCLE Classic. The rising standard of riders taking part is testament to the growing reputation the race is gaining, not only in Britain, but around Europe. It is a great opportunity to showcase the East Midlands. The Cyclo-Sportif also continues to grow and is particularly exciting as it allows the people of the region the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the professional riders later in the summer.”

Race website - www.cicleclassic.co.uk