Organiser hints CiCLE Classic finish could stay in Oakham
Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic organiser Colin Clews says no final decision has been made on the race’s future finish location, but admits Oakham has proved popular and logistically simpler since replacing the traditional Melton finish.
Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic organiser Colin Clews has indicated that the Oakham finish to Britain’s only one-day UCI men’s race may be here to stay.
He told the Melton Times that although no decision had yet been made on the future of the race’s finish location, and that the potential for Melton to be used again was “very much up for debate and negotiation”, the finish in Oakham had proved popular and offered fewer logistical challenges for the race.
“It has to be said that the finish in Oakham over the last two years has proved very popular and well supported, above levels experienced previously in Melton for the same race,” he said, adding that having the start and finish in the same location “has also meant an easier task for many of our supporting services and personnel.”
The race’s finish was moved to Oakham last year for the first time since its inception in 2005 because of major roadworks on the finishing circuit around Melton. However, the now-completed Melton Mowbray Distributor Road also adds an extra challenge should organisers wish to return to the traditional finishing circuit.
Image: Milan Josy/The British Continental
“In recent years the MMDR project has presented a number of logistical issues for the race which, with the insertion of two traffic islands and increased traffic management requirements to our traditional finishing circuit in Melton, still remain a little unclear,” Clews said.
He did not rule out the race returning to Melton, with a number of sponsors based in the town and the existing route visiting the nearby Stapleford Park estate and village of Wymondham.
“With a number of our sponsors having interests in both Oakham and Melton I am currently consulting with a number to ascertain their thoughts and views upon the best fit for all concerned.
“Following this, a final decision can hopefully be made in the interests of the widest groups involved.”
The addition of a finishing circuit around Oakham saw the race pass through the town four times in total last month, with the event bringing an estimated economic benefit of around £250,000 to the town.
A valuable asset to either location, Clews did confirm that both the women’s and junior editions, held in March, would continue to finish in Melton.
“Certainly the format for the women’s and junior men’s races is solid and they will continue to be held as in previous years with a start and finish in Melton town centre,” he said.
Featured image: Milan Josy/The British Continental
Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic organiser Colin Clews has indicated that the Oakham finish to Britain’s only one-day UCI men’s race may be here to stay.
He told the Melton Times that although no decision had yet been made on the future of the race’s finish location, and that the potential for Melton to be used again was “very much up for debate and negotiation”, the finish in Oakham had proved popular and offered fewer logistical challenges for the race.
“It has to be said that the finish in Oakham over the last two years has proved very popular and well supported, above levels experienced previously in Melton for the same race,” he said, adding that having the start and finish in the same location “has also meant an easier task for many of our supporting services and personnel.”
The race’s finish was moved to Oakham last year for the first time since its inception in 2005 because of major roadworks on the finishing circuit around Melton. However, the now-completed Melton Mowbray Distributor Road also adds an extra challenge should organisers wish to return to the traditional finishing circuit.
“In recent years the MMDR project has presented a number of logistical issues for the race which, with the insertion of two traffic islands and increased traffic management requirements to our traditional finishing circuit in Melton, still remain a little unclear,” Clews said.
He did not rule out the race returning to Melton, with a number of sponsors based in the town and the existing route visiting the nearby Stapleford Park estate and village of Wymondham.
“With a number of our sponsors having interests in both Oakham and Melton I am currently consulting with a number to ascertain their thoughts and views upon the best fit for all concerned.
“Following this, a final decision can hopefully be made in the interests of the widest groups involved.”
The addition of a finishing circuit around Oakham saw the race pass through the town four times in total last month, with the event bringing an estimated economic benefit of around £250,000 to the town.
A valuable asset to either location, Clews did confirm that both the women’s and junior editions, held in March, would continue to finish in Melton.
“Certainly the format for the women’s and junior men’s races is solid and they will continue to be held as in previous years with a start and finish in Melton town centre,” he said.
Featured image: Milan Josy/The British Continental
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