Road racing’s grassroots calendar has suffered another blow. Organisers of the ECCA Road Race – folded around the Eastern Counties Cycling Association’s senior title – have cancelled the 18 May fixture after receiving just 38 entries, well short of the break‑even mark. A stark red banner now tops the British Cycling event page: “This event has been cancelled – lack of entries.”
The 38‑strong start‑list would not have covered the costs of running the race, according to organisers. A source close to the race felt that “a lack of depth with the number of riders wanting to race” was a key factor. Timing was another potential headwind: the race clashed with two other National B fixtures – the BUCS Road Race Championships in Devon and Yorkshire’s Wheldrake 200 – siphoning off students and northern squads. The Gralloch gravel event takes place in Scotland this weekend. And many elite amateurs are resting up ahead of international racing blocks; no fewer than ten British teams head to Ireland next week for the Rás Tailteann stage race, which rolls out on 21 May.
It is the second National B to vanish in as many months. Project 51 were forced to withdraw the Giles Ree Memorial, scheduled for 20 April, when rider numbers failed to reach viability for its 20 April running. And in early April Bec CC conceded defeat after four decades, mothballing its storied road race altogether. Organiser James Hughes told The British Continental that dwindling interest and rising costs had made continuation impossible.
Road racing’s grassroots calendar has suffered another blow. Organisers of the ECCA Road Race – folded around the Eastern Counties Cycling Association’s senior title – have cancelled the 18 May fixture after receiving just 38 entries, well short of the break‑even mark. A stark red banner now tops the British Cycling event page: “This event has been cancelled – lack of entries.”
The 38‑strong start‑list would not have covered the costs of running the race, according to organisers. A source close to the race felt that “a lack of depth with the number of riders wanting to race” was a key factor. Timing was another potential headwind: the race clashed with two other National B fixtures – the BUCS Road Race Championships in Devon and Yorkshire’s Wheldrake 200 – siphoning off students and northern squads. The Gralloch gravel event takes place in Scotland this weekend. And many elite amateurs are resting up ahead of international racing blocks; no fewer than ten British teams head to Ireland next week for the Rás Tailteann stage race, which rolls out on 21 May.
It is the second National B to vanish in as many months. Project 51 were forced to withdraw the Giles Ree Memorial, scheduled for 20 April, when rider numbers failed to reach viability for its 20 April running. And in early April Bec CC conceded defeat after four decades, mothballing its storied road race altogether. Organiser James Hughes told The British Continental that dwindling interest and rising costs had made continuation impossible.
Featured image: Mark James
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