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news
CiCLE Classic 2011.jpgFuture of Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic secured thanks to new sponsorship
The immediate future of what in recent seasons has been the UK’s leading one-day race, the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic, appears to have been secured after organisers secured new sponsorship from the Giant Store – Rutland Water and Schwalbe Tyres.
Previous sponsors Mountivation, who had signed up to support the UCI 1.2-ranked race until 2014, pulled out in November, leaving organiser Colin Clews to face the prospect of dipping into his pocket to ensure April’s race went ahead, as he has had to do on occasion in the past.
There was even some talk that the race, which is modelled on Paris-Roubaix and began in 2005 as a Premier Calendar event, might disappear altogether.
Last year’s race, won by French rider Alexandre Blain of Endura Racing in filthy conditions – the race was described as the toughest ever edition – was also in doubt until Mountivation reconfirmed its commitment early in 2012.
Thanks to the new sponsorship that has been obtained, as well as increased support from existing backers Rutland County, this year’s edition will now go ahead on Sunday 21 April as planned.
It is hoped that the race may one day secure UCI 1.1 status, putting it on a par with events such as Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne, which would open the field up to UCI ProTeams.
That is the ranking that has been granted to this year’s inaugural edition of the Olympic legacy pro race in London and Surrey, the Ride London Classic, which will therefore rank higher than the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic.
Clews told the Melton Times: “I firmly believe we have created in Melton and Rutland a truly world class event which, with proper support, can see the very top teams in the sport racing on our roads within the next few years.
“In the newly-found commercial sponsorship from Rutland Cycling Giant Store and Schwalbe, the race has found partners who share this aim.”
The Giant Store - Rutland Water is run by Rutland Group, which also operates independent bike shops Rutland Water Cycling and Grafham Water Cycling.
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
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3 comments
At last - Hats off to Giant and Schwalbe for putting their hands in their pockets and for having faith in Colin and the team putting this race together, and for believing in what they are trying to achieve.
Its races and people like this that make cycling what it is but it could never be that without the vision of sponsors....and their cash.
No doubt, Giant will assist in the progress of this race through its teams sponsorship and influence with the UCI.
Thank goodness
This is excellent news, well done to Colin Clews on securing the deal and the race. A few more races at this standard would be welcome, is it only London-Surrey and Lincoln this year at UCI level? What a shame that there are not more, it's great that GB have a home TdF winner and immediate past world road champion, but getting companies to back races at a level to produce more champions is a thankless task for organisers, heroes of the sport.