MORE than 140 elite riders, including Olympians and Tour de France stage winners, will compete on Fenland’s roads in Britain’s longest single day cycling race on Sunday.
The Circuit of the Fens is a mammoth 200km National A category race, which begins and finishes in Whittlesey town centre. It is organised and promoted by Anglia Cycling and St Ives Cycling Club.
It will serve as excellent preparation for British Cycling’s National Championships, which take place in Glasgow on June 23.
The race begins at noon in Whittlesey market square. Riders will be sent on their way by the mayor of Whittlesey, Councillor David Mason.
The race will be neutralised until riders reach Turningtree Farm, in Turningtree Road. From there, riders will do six laps of a 27km circuit, which will take them through Pondersbridge, Ramsey Mereside, Ramsey Forty Foot and Benwick.
At the end of the sixth lap, riders will make their way back into Whittlesey via Coates and Eastrea. They will complete six laps around Whittlesey before a sprint finish in Market Street.
Since the course is flat, riders will be completely exposed to the winds.
The races will be run under a Temporary Traffic Restriction Order, providing a ‘rolling closed road’. The start and finish area is subject to a road closure.
A supporting amateur race begins at 12.15pm and will cover four laps of the 27km circuit before returning to Whittlesey town centre, but will not use the finishing circuit.
Police will provide an escort to both the elite and amateur races.
As well as the racing, there are plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained in Whittlesey town centre.
Events include a leisure cycle ride, cycle maintenance clinic and cycle jumble. BMX demonstrations will be held and a ‘come and try it’ roller session has been organised.
A variety of refreshment stalls, including a hog roast, will be set up.
The sprint section of the race will be in Benwick, outside the Five Alls pub in High Street.
There will be stalls and games to entertain visitors from 11.30am, with a children’s painting competition and a photo competition along with a free hog roast.
? If you are able to help marshal the event or would like to sponsor the prizes e-mail info@circuitoffens.co.uk
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