Britain’s only single day international cycle road race
With 34 teams lined up for the 17th edition of the Sigma Sports/Schwalbe UK sponsored Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic on 23rd April looks to be the most international and exciting edition of the race yet.
With over 25 nations represented and no less than seven current National Champions named amongst the teams involved the race is likely to be spectacular throughout its 180 kms route.
Race Director Colin Clews said:” Each year interest in the race from foreign teams increases and this year the quality of the teams that have been accepted from abroad is exceptional. All the top teams in the World now have ‘feeder’ development squads and we are able to welcome two such teams this year in the form of Lotto-Dstny and Ecoflo-Chronos. In addition the Coloquick team from Denmark are responsible for having developed in the past Jonas Vingegaard the 2022 winner of the Tour de France. There can be no doubt that the standards that they set themselves are incredibly high. So 2023 looks like a bumper year for CiCLE Classic excitement which will be played out on the backroads of Ruland and East Leicestershire on 23rd April.”
After the unfortunate demise last month of the AT 85 professional team, the remaining two British professional teams, Saint Piran and Trinity Racing line up to face off the foreign challenge, but with 2023 winner Finn Crockett wearing number one and the jersey of his native Scotland in order to defend his title, there can be no doubt the race will be hard fought.
While it will be the professionals who will have pride of place following the highly successful Women’s and Junior Men’s CiCLE Classics last month, there will also be a unique opportunity for ‘all comers’ to experience the atmosphere of the race proper by a special ride out being organised by Sigma Sports from their Oakham base on the day before the professionals ride.
The Spring Classics are here, and Sigma Sports want you to have a slice of the action. On Saturday 22nd April, the Sigma Sports x Hotchillee Rutland Classic Rideout will roll out from the Sigma Sports store in Oakham, and tackle some of the most famous sections of the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic route.
This ride takes place the day before the UCI men’s race comes to town! In true Spring Classics fashion, you too can test your mettle on parcours that could easily feel at home on the cobbled lanes of Flanders, or the white gravel roads of Tuscany.
If you’re a seasoned rider of the Rutland CiCLE Tour Sportive, you’ll no doubt have been disappointed by the cancellation of this year’s event. Sigma Sports and Hotchillee are offering the perfect alternative, and a great way to kickstart your social cycling season. And if you’ve never ridden in Rutland, you’re in for a treat with two stunning routes to choose from.
This is a group ride with a difference. With ten groups heading out on the day, the Hotchillee Ride Captains will help you find the right group for your ability, and their ‘no drop’ policy ensures you won’t ride alone. As well as fantastic routes to explore, Sigma Sports will be enlisting the services of Caffe Velo Verde who will be based at their Oakham store and will be providing complimentary post-ride coffee and cake.
Are you up for the challenge?
Find out more about Sigma Sports involvement in the CiCLE Classic and sign up today for the Rutland Classic Rideout for the incredible price of just £15 – https://www.sigmasports.com/cicle-classic
