The 18th edition will be held on
Sunday 28th April 2024.
For detailed route, map of course and roads affected by possible closures during the running of this event, please see details on ‘The Route of the CiCLE Classic ‘page.
Technical Guide 2024:
How the 2023 race unfolded.
From a field of 173 riders and after 180 kms of one of the most gruelling and didfficult editions of the CiCLE Classic to date, the USA’s Luke Lamperti (Trinity Racing), finaly secured the win that his team have been striving to achieve for the last 9 years. We are delighted that his win contributed towards his host of wins in 2023 which have secured him a contract with World Tour Team Soudal-Quick Step in 2024.
Sadly, at the same time we mourn the passing of the rider that Luke closely beat on the line in Melton, Tijl de Decker (Lotto-DSTNY). Winner of the Under 23’s version of Paris-Roubaix shortly after the Rutland-Melton, Tijl died in a tragic traininbg accident a few months later.
Luke Lamperti (Trinty Racing) 2023 Winner.
From a leading group of 26 that formed with just 20 kms of the race remaining Lamperti scored the win by just 4 cms from Belgium’s Tijl de Decker (lotto-Dstny) with James McKay (Cycling Sheffield) cvlose behind in third spot.
Now we have nearly a year to wait before the race, in its 18th season, will take to the local roiads of Rutland and East Lewicestershire once again.
The most longed for Spring Classic race after ‘De Ronde’ and ‘Roubaix’.
We contune to be grateful to Schwalbe UK who have continued to act as one of our joint title sponsors since 2013 providing one of the longest continuous running sponsorships in British Cycle Sport.
….and for 2024 and for the next 2 years we are delighted to announce that Sigma Sports will share joint tiotle sponsorship of the event with Schwalbe UK.
Where to see the race
For suggestions of spectator spots see Where to see the race.
The UK’s own TRUE Spring Classic; judge for yourself!
Sponsors and Supporters
Tim Norton (Ford) of Oakham continue their support of the CiCLE Classic as the official vehicle supplier to the 2019 CiCLE Classic, their 17th consecutive year.
The CiCLE Classic and its associated events are Britain’s most unique, challenging and spectacular Elite single day cycling events. We pride ourselves that although British romotions, that they are truly ‘Britain’s Belgian Classics’.
One of the most unique races on the international calendar anywhere in the World.
Based upon the legendary Paris – Roubaix and Ronde van Vlaanderen spring classic races of Northern Europe Rutland – Melton is essentially a place to place race between the nearby towns of Oakham in Rutland and Melton Mowbray in East Leicestershire.
Since 2014 Junior riders also had the chance to also participate in their own Junior CiCLE Classic, and in 2017 for the first time, they were able to ‘savour’ the delights of ‘Somerberg’ as their race took place earlier in the day and alongside the 2nd Women’s CiCLE which staged for the first time in 2016.(See Women’s page for details.) Both the latter races have continued to take place each year sence. A date for these two races is curently awaited for 2023 as British Cycling puts together its racing calendar.
With the 2012 edition being long remembered by all those who took part; worked on it; or saw it from the roadside for its horrendous weather conditions, the worst that can be remembered for a British race, 2013 restored faith in British weather being dry in April with Ian Wilkinson of UK Youth winning his record breaking second CiCLE Classic and in 2014 the event took on an even greater characteristic. In 2014, it was the turn of the youngest ever winner Tom Moses from Rapha-Condor-JLT to take 1st place on the podium, followed by Australian Steel Von Hoff (2015.), Conor Dunne (JLT-Condor) 2016 and then the popular but controversial win in 2017 of Dan Fleeman representing local semi -pro squad Metaltek-Kuota. It was then the turn of Gabz Cullaugh (Wiggins) to take the glory in 2018 and returning in 2019 hoping to make it two in a row. He was however thwarted by Colin Joyce of US squad Rally/UHC. Missing to 2020 and 2021 owing to COVID 19, the race returned with a vengeance in 2022.
“Is this not the most beautiful race ever?” someone asked on Twitter.
Judge for yourself:
Owston 2018. (photo : Alex Duffill.)
The original CiCLE Classic took, and continues to take competitors where no other British race dares; on and off road for 105 miles; whereas the 2017 edition took the riders 121 miles (195 kms) providing a course as near to a continental classic as it is possible to create within Britain. European riders compared it to the renowned “Paris – Roubaix but with hills reminiscent of the “Ronde van Vlaanderen”.
In just three years the race went from being a domestic race within the Premier Calendar of British Cycling events, to an international event, targeted and coveted by competitors as the race that they all want to win. The race is not just about the competitors, who come from all over Europe and beyond, but also about the creation of an unforgettable experience and wonderful day out for spectators. Visitors and locals, young and old, marvel at the feats of the Elite riders as they literally ‘pass through Hell’.
First held in 2009 on the day before the CiCLE Classic, the Rutland CiCLE Tour proved an instant success with over 450 cyclists experiencing the delights of cycling in and around Rutland ahead of their professional contemporaries. In 2017 the Rutland CiCLE Tour saw over 1300 participants and continues to grow in popularity as the leading sportif in the East Midlands. Anyone visiting the CiCLE Classic can enjoy the Rutland WEEKEND, riding the roads of Britain’s smallest county before seeing the stars of the cycle road racing world show how it is really done.
Whether you wish to take part in the CiCLE Classic; find out where and when to see the race; or experience the thrill for yourself of the freedom that cycling in beautiful countryside offers, then read on. It’s ALL here for you.