Now CNP joins the CiCLE Classic !!
Hot on the heels of the announcement that TESCO are to be the new main title sponsor of the 2011 Rutland – Melton CiCLE Classic, CNP Professional Sports Nutrition have now been confirmed as the new presentational sponsor of the race.
Already a force in British cycle sport via their partnership with Team Sky and British Cycling generally, CNP were on the look out for an event which equally might showcase their products, and in the CiCLE Classic and its associated sportif and cyclo-cross events they believe that they have found the perfect match. “The following that the CiCLE Classic now enjoys both locally, nationally and internationally provide an ideal opportunity for a company wishing to push their products to the forefront of the sport, and we are delighted that CNP, market leaders in their own area of business have chosen the foremost British road race to be their partner in their expansion,” commented Race Director Colin Clews.
“Obviously the addition of a further significant sponsor alongside TESCO will hopefully assist in the securing of the race in its current international format for many years to come,” added Clews.
Speaking on behalf of CNP, Business Development Manger Michael Coughlan said,” The response from Team Sky, British Cycling and cycling enthusiasts in general about our products has been overwhelming. We feel that being associated with this event will further increase our brand awareness within the market but also we are delighted that we will have a small part in ensuring this successful, internationally acclaimed race continues to be held this year and many years to come”.
With foreign squads now vying for places at this years race based on the reputation that the CiCLE Classic now enjoys in continental circles, this years event on Sunday 17th April looks set to be the most hotly contested yet. For the first time in its seven year history the race will see a Spanish and a Canadian team taking the start. The KTM –Murcia Continental team brings to the race an experienced squad of riders several of whom can boast participation in Spain’s top races, including the three week Vuelta D’Espagna. Meanwhile the Canadian British Columbia team of Under 23 riders has amongst its named line up Cody Campbell, who last year rode for the top US development squad Trek-Livestrong, where he helped Tyler Phinney, one of the brightest prospects in World cycling to many of his victories.
It has also been confirmed that the race will this year cover exactly the same 105 miles course as 2010, which featured for the first time a second ascent of Cold Overton Berg immediately prior to the first passage of the notorious ‘Somerberg’ special sector. Entries for this years race are now flooding in and with an organisation upper limit of 35 teams this year due to an arbitrarily imposed maximum of 162 starters by British Cycling, several regular teams and riders at the Classic may sadly find themselves excluded this year.
For further information:
Colin Clews
- tel; 01572 787726
- mob:07979 856262
- email: colin.l.clews@btinternet.comwww.cicleclassic.co.uk
Background
The Rutland –Melton CiCLE Classic began in 2005 and was held for two years as a counting event in the British Cycling Premier Calendar series. It gained a nickname as ‘ Britain’s Paris-Roubaix’ as a result of taking the riders over rough farm and rural roads as well as wide highways. In 2007 it gained sponsorship from the East Midlands Development Agency and as a result changed its name to the East Midlands International CiCLE Classic as it was entered for the first time onto the UCI international Calendar as a 1.2 race. On that first running as an international the winner was British Veteran rider, and former Tour of Spain Green Jersey winner, Malcolm Elliott. The following year the CiCLE Classic was excluded from the British Premier Calendar series by British Cycling, for reasons that have never been properly explained or justified.
As a consequence the event has run as a self standing one day international race, the only one day event in Britain to hold international status since 2008.
Following the 2010 event and a change of government in Britain the East Midlands Development Agency was closed down and although willing to continue sponsorship, was unable to so thererby placing the race under threat of cancellation. Until the timely intervention of TESCO and now also CNP..