IN THIS ISSUE:

·         TOUR OF BRITAIN IS BACK

·         PROMOTORS SOUGHT: 2005 ROAD AND TRACK NATIONAL SERIES AND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

·         FREE MOELFRE DIGITAL IMAGES

·         NEW CYCLE SPEEDWAY TRACK FOR WALES

·         EAST LONDON CYCLE SPEEDWAY LOOKING FOR HELP AFTER THEFT!

·         EVENT UPDATES

·         ADDITIONAL EVENTS

BRITISHCYCLING.ORG.UK

On the site this week, there’s a detailed round-up from the World Track Championships where the GB team picked up five medals, including a gold for BMX star Jamie Staff.
There are also over 200 photos from the Moelfre 4X and Downhill National Series, where the country’s top riders warmed up for the Fort William World Cup. Speaking of which, we’ll be bringing you photos and race reports from the weekend’s events in Fort William during next week. The site also has its usual news and updates from the domestic scene in the UK.

CLASSIFIEDS

Don’t forget that you can post a free classified advert on the site – simply look for the classified ad button on the homepage to find out more. GO THERE>>>>

TOUR OF BRITAIN IS BACK
The first week of September sees the much anticipated return of The Tour of Britain road stage race. Featuring sixteen teams of the world's elite cyclists, the race will take place from 1 - 5 September, just a few weeks after the Olympics. The Tour of Britain has been granted elite status ( Category 2.3 ) by the sport's governing body, the UCI. Along the route upwards of four million spectators are expected to witness the race.
The organisation responsible for reviving The Tour of Britain, after a gap of five years, is SweetSpot, a specialist sports marketing and events company. They have adopted the same formula as the world's most famous cycle race, The Tour de France, in that there is no specific title sponsor of the event.  SweetSpot has secured the support of the BBC who will broadcast it both nationally and through their regional networks. The World Governing Body of Cycling, the UCI, are also fully supportive and it is envisaged that The Tour of Britain will, in future, form part of the new "UCI Pro Tour" which is commencing in 2005.
The organising team is led by SweetSpot's Hugh Roberts and Peter Moore OBE, former CEO of Center Parcs. They will have the experienced Mick Bennett as their Technical Director. The Event Director is two times World Champion Tony Doyle MBE who will have tourism and being an event that embraces the whole country - not just one town or city. Bob Barber, Major Events Co-ordinator, British Cycling, said "British Cycling has been working behind the scenes with the organisers of the Tour of Britain for some considerable time and now we are working on specifics to deliver race officials, technical services, volunteers, marketing opportunities, "Go-Ride" opportunities at stage finishes and the national escort group of motor cycle marshals. It's a great opportunity to showcase the sport to a massive audience". GO THERE>>>>

PROPOSED ROUTE FOR TOUR OF BRITAIN CYCLE RACE 2004
The Tour of Britain cycle race takes place from September 1 – 5 .The first stage is planned to take place in the north west of England and will be followed by a stage in Yorkshire. The third stage will visit cities in the East Midlands and the fourth stage, on Saturday, will be centred on South Wales. The race will reach a thrilling climax on Sunday with a criterium on the streets of Westminster and BBC TV will be presenting a programme on all the five stages in Grandstand.

PROMOTORS SOUGHT: 2005 ROAD AND TRACK NATIONAL SERIES AND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Application forms and relevant paperwork is now available for those wishing to promote either a National Road or Track Championship or a Road or Track Event as part of a BC National Points Series next year. Point of contact is Paul West at BC Headquarters - paulwest@britishcycling.org.uk or 0161 274 2021. Completed applications need to be with Paul by 31st July 2004.

FREE MOELFRE DIGITAL IMAGES

As an experiment, we’re offering competitors at last weekend’s Moelfre downhill the opportunity to receive a free emailed image of themselves in the event. Simply log on to the British Cycling website and check if your photo was taken - http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/results/2004/06_june/01_nps.shtml - To order a hi-res version of the image, simply email pressoffice@britishcycling.org.uk and let us have your name and race number. We’ll email the image back to during next week. Please note that image sizes are approx 400kb and may take a little while to download if you’re not on broadband.

GO THERE>>>>

NEW CYCLE SPEEDWAY TRACK FOR WALES
Work has begun on Wales' newest Cycle Speedway track at Llanmartin, Gwent. The small circuit has been unused for 14 years but is now being brought back to life by a dedicated group of volunteers who are giving up their spare time to help progress this exciting new project. It is expected that a team of young riders will start by competing in the South West Junior League and once they have a good core of riders the National Junior League will be contested.  At 64 metres circumference this will be the smallest track in the UK and since the plans have been announced the feedback from other clubs has been positive with most looking forward to negotiating this technical circuit.  Funding is now being sought from Sportlot and from other private sources and the opening date will be announced within the next few months although it is not expected to be until 2005.

EAST LONDON CYCLE SPEEDWAY LOOKING FOR HELP AFTER THEFT!
East London CSC recently had one of their lock ups broken into at their Prince Regent Lane track. 12 bikes, helmets and gloves were stolen. This has put the future of the successful youth programme into jepoardy. Already the "Come and try it" and Youth Training sessions have had to be cancelled, turning away 15 - 20 youngsters aged between 7 and 15 years. The bikes cost between £150 - £250 each and are specific to Cycle Speedway. They have no brakes so are not much
use for anything else, except Cycle Speedway! The total estimated cost of replacing the items is £3000. The club is now looking for any help to bring the youth programme back on track and are already contacting local businesses. Do you have and Cycle Speedway spares you can donate to the club? Contact details Dave Flemming (Club Development Officer) 020 8518 7112 or Dave Gott (BC Coach) 01825 761897

EVENT UPDATES

SOUTH DIVISION - REVISED ORGANISERS LIST

Castle Combe Summer Series

Thursday 3rd June Mr Jim GRANT 40 Salisbury Road Redland BRISTOL   BS6 7AT  0117 924 3221

Thursday 10th June Mr Gordon SCOTT 2 Lancaster Square Lyneham CHIPPENHAM Wiltshire SN15 4AD     

Thursday 17th June Mr Bryan TELFORD 18 Furlong Close Haydon Wick SWINDON Wiltshire SN25 1QP 01793 726 020 bryan@btelford.freeserve.co.uk  

Thursday 24th June Mr David RUTTY Broadfield Cottage Hinton Charterhouse BATH Avon BA2 7SD      

Thursday 1st July Mr Mike RUTTY 2 Greenwood Close Horsfield BRISTOL   BS7 0XG   01793 725 839  

Thursday 8th July Mr Jim GRANT 40 Salisbury Road Redland BRISTOL   BS6 7AT  0117 924 3221  

Thursday 15th July Mr David RUTTY Broadfield Cottage Hinton Charterhouse BATH Avon BA2 7SD      

Swindon Rc Summer Road Race

Sunday 1st August Mr Bryan TELFORD 18 Furlong Close Haydon Wick SWINDON Wiltshire SN25 1QP  01793 726 020 bryan@btelford.freeserve.co.uk

Surrey League Update
Below are Surrey League dates over the next few weeks. Please note that there are some changes and additions to the earlier published dates.
May 31st - Cutmill - 1/2/3 - 13:30
June 1st - Goodwood Gallops - All - 18:30
June 2nd - Eelmore Series - All - 18:30
June 3rd - Handicap series - Kitsmead Lane - 19:15
June 6th - Lyne - 4/W - 09:30
June 6th - Lyne - 3/J/W - 13:30
June 6th - Tenterden - 1/2/3 - 09:30
June 8th - Goodwood Gallops - All - 18:30
June 9th - Eelmore Series - All - 18:30
June 10th - Handicap Series - Newdigate - 19:15
June 12th - MOD Chertsey - All - 10:00
June 15th - Goodwood Gallops - All - 18:30
June 16th - Eelmore Series - All - 18:30
June 17th - Handicap Series - Charlwood - 19:15
June 19th - Time Trial - E/1/2/3/4/J/W - Norwood Hill - 13:30
June 22nd - Goodwood Gallops - All - 18:30
June 23rd - Eelmore Series - All - 18:30
June 24th - Handicap Series - Wievelsfield - 19:15

DEESIDE THISTLE 2 DAY - NEW DATE
Event originally planned for 15th/16th May will now be run on 19th/20th June. All other details as per May entry in Scottish Events Section of January BC Calendar Magazine and SCU Handbook.

JIM ROGERS MEMORIAL RR - UPDATE
Patrick Flanagan, Cleveleys Road Club organiser of the Jim Rogers Memorial Road Race 10th July has ent us some additional information for the race which is not in the calendar.The cost of the race is £11 (£15 on the line) the distance will be 108 Km / 68M on the completely flat Elswick circuit .First prize of £100. (Plus solid silver trophy for a year) Entries are needed!

GRAINGER TROPHY UPDATE
Don't miss out on one of the biggest prize purses on the calendar, the Grainger Trophy - details are as follows and entries are still needed! 'Saturday 3 - Sunday 4 July  - start: Red Row Sports Centre, Red Row, Northumberland
E/1/2/3/4
Stage 1- 42km Circuit Race -Start 1700 Hours 3rd July
Stage 2-160km Road Race £34.00 Entry Fee.
Entries to Mike Hodgson, Briarwood, Edmunbyers, Co. Durham. DH8 9NN.
Cheques payable to Tyne Valley CC Entries Close 12th June 2004
Prize Value £5000 with £1000 to winner.

ADDITIONAL EVENTS

West Midlands Division

12th June

BUSA Track Championships, Manor Abbey Stadium, Halesowen
Male-                40 km Points, 4km Pursuit, Sprint, 1km TT
Female -             15km Scratch, 3km Pursuit, Sprint, 500m TT
Olympic Sprint, Team Pursuit
Only Open to University Students
John Pearson
36 Howard Road
Kings Heath
Birmingham
B14 7PD
ppearse@essex.ac.uk 
Entry Fee £17  Payable to - West Midlands Cycling Forum
Track Bike hire facility may be available where required - contact organiser in advance

North West Division
10th  July
Jim Rogers Memorial Road Race
Entry fee is £11 (£15 on line). Cheques payable to Patrick Flanagan

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