New partnerships bring new dimension to CiCLE Classic
With the 7th edition of the Women’s CiCLE Classic just one week away arrangements are already being confirmed for the 17th edition of the Sigma Sports/Schwalbe sponsored International men’s race on Sunday 23rd April.
Nine foreign based teams from across the globe, representing New Zealand, Canada, Denmark, Belgium, Poland, and the Netherlands will lead the challenge against Britain’s best. In total 33 teams have now accepted for the 176 man field and the 180 kms event which will again be Britain’s only UCI single day race in 2023, with the exception of the World Championships to be held in Scotland.
Several of the foreign teams, and one or more British teams will also have in their ranks the reigning national champions of the riders respective countries such as developing cycling nations such as Rwanda.
Speaking today, CiCLE Classics Race Director Colin Clews said, ”The appeal of the CiCLE Classic seems to increase each year and the quality and strength within the visiting teams and the breadth of nations that they will represent in this year’s race will be greater than ever. Along with our new sponsor, Sigma Sports and the continued support of Schwalbe UK and our other local partners, we look forward to making 2023 the best ever edition of the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic.”
Speaking for Sigma Sports CEO James McEuen said,” With multiple retail stores and an extensive website, Sigma Sports caters to cyclists and triathletes of all abilities. As well as being one of the UK’s leading premium bike retailers, Sigma Sports has also had a long history of supporting the cycle racing scene in the UK, and for 2023 are proud to come on board as co-title sponsor of Britain’s biggest one day bicycle race, the Rutland–Melton CiCLE Classic.
We are extremely excited to be involved with the Rutland–Melton CiCLE Classic after fielding our very own UCI registered cycling team multiple times at the race over the years. As a retailer we have our fantastic Oakham store on the route of the 2023 race and are looking forward to welcoming all those local and those traveling to the area over the course of the weekend.”
To celebrate this involvement, Sigma Sports are offering 10% off all items purchased in their Oakham store (please see terms and conditions on their website) to customers until 31st May. Follow the link below to find out more about this offer and discover the Sigma Sports Oakham Store –
https://www.sigmasports.com/stores/oakham
A further new partnership with Kwaremont cycling themed Belgian beer will add to the Spring Classics character of the race at Owston with a licenced bar serving Kwaremont there for the first time to accompany the traditional BBQ.
Once again local sports retailer Melton Sports are carrying CiCLE Classic ‘T’ shirts and race jerseys at very competitive prices for any fan wishing to get into the CiCLE Classic mood with five weeks to go to the ‘BIG’ day.
Background.
The Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic first held in 2005, continues to occupy a unique position and character within British cyclesport and an unrivalled popularity amongst competitors, fans and spectators. As the only single day international race within the UK providing the opportunity for British road racing cyclists to compete against foreign competition on home roads. Previous editions of the race have been contested by such names as Mark Cavendish, three times World Champion Peter Sagan, Alex Dowsett, 2022 Tour de France stage winners Tom Pidcock and Mads Pederson, as well as three times World Road Race champion Peter Sagan.
As part of an annual programme of races for all categories the CiCLE Classics also promote a Women’s and Junior Men’s editions which will in 2023 take place on Sunday 26th March. These additional races, which were themselves subject to sponsorship issues earlier this year, since resolved as announced recently, are unaffected by the above.
