ANEXO/CAMS Women’s and Junior Men’s CiCLE Classics race preview
With a field of 119 and 121 riders respectively, Sunday’s 7th ANEXO /CAMS Women’s and 9th Junior CiCLE Classics look certain to live up to their classic titles as the first National showdowns of 2023 for their respective cycling categories.
With the absence of any of the illustrious names of World and Olympic champions who have won the Women’s CiCLE Classic race in the past, we can look forward to scintillating racing as new names will look to take home the coveted, £1000 first prize and Dame Laura Kenny trophy that awaits the winner.
Similarly with just a two year age band for the Junior Men, a new name first across the finish line in Melton is guaranteed for the Junior Men’s race.
Race Director, Colin Clews, said: “ Since the Women’s Classic was first held in 2016 the race has consistently been won by World and Olympic Champions such as Katie Archibald and Neah Evans, with Josie Nelson following in her sister Emily’s wheel marks when winning the race last year. The junior race can also look to some notable names taking part such as Tom Pidcock, who although never a CiCLE Classic winner has now progressed to the World cycling stage at the renowned INEOS Team alongside 2017 Junior CiCLE Winner Josh Tarling. With a winner able to come from any quarter in either race will make for exciting racing with both events being the first major British race in 2023 for both categories. Every rider will therefore be wishing to impress!”
Both races once again form part of the season long British Cycling Road Race series for their categories, on this occasion the first round of each competition.
Whoever does come out on top will be greeted and presented with the winner’s trophy bearing her name by Dame Laura Kenny who will also be accompanied on the Presentation podium by CAMS brand ambassador, former multi World and Olympic champion Ed Clancy. Cycling royalty indeed in Melton Mowbray.
The junior Men’s race will commence at 9.00 am from Sherrard Street and return for its first passage of the town around 11.00 before finishing close to the Market Place approximately 20 minutes later.
The Women’s CiCLE Classic then starts at 14.00 and returns to Sherrard Street for its fist passage around 16.00 and then finish around 16.20.
Both events will follow the same arduous and demanding 105 kms course passing through Pickwell, Somerby and Burrough, on a number of differing circuits in and around Owston where most of the off roads sectors can be found.
