Milk Race coming back to Nottingham in May

The Milk Race – once, the UK’s premier stage race and revived last year as a one-day event – will be returning to Nottingham in May for its second edition in its new guise, which incorporates one-day races for Britain’s top male and female cyclists.

From 1958 until 1993, the Milk Race was the name given to the event now known as the Tour of Britain, alternating during the last dozen years of its existence with sponsorship by Kellogg’s – well, it’s what you put on your Corn Flakes, after all.

Last year, the Dairy Council and Milk Marketing Forum relaunched the event, with 60,000 spectators taking to the streets of the East Midlands city to watch Olympic gold medallist Dani King of Wiggle-Honda win the women’s race, and Rapha-Condor-JLT’s Felix English triumph in the men’s event.

English will be returning to defend his title this year. He said: “As the current men’s Milk Race champion, it’s brilliant that the event is returning again in May. The atmosphere last year in Nottingham was fantastic so I can’t wait to race the circuit once again.”

Confirmed as riding in the women’s race is Dame Sarah Storey, riding for The Madison Boot Out Breast Cancer Cycling Team.

Storey, who has won five Paralympic gold medals in the swimming pool and six in road and track cycling, said: “I am very excited to see The Milk Race return to Nottingham for 2014. It was a superb event in 2013 recapturing the excitement of the event from its previous format.

“This year I am excited to be riding with my new road team and I look forward to seeing the amazing crowds that watched the event in 2013. A huge thanks to everyone who has worked to bring us this superb event again.”

The race was relaunched last year by two-time world individual pursuit champion and former British Cycling president, Tony Doyle,  who said: “I am delighted to be involved in 2014’s event.

“Last year was a great success and a brilliant addition to the cycling calendar. It’s a very exciting time for cycling and with the heritage of The Milk Race, combined with its new city centre format, I’m sure it’ll once again prove to be a big hit with cyclists and supporters alike.”

You can find more information about the Milk race on its website.