British cyclists gearing up for Newark Town cycle race

British Cyclist Ed Clancy OBE, three-time Olympic champion, joined Newark Town Mayor, Councillor Lisa Geary and Newark and Sherwood District Council Chairman, Councillor Penny Rainbow, to promote the event.

The District Council is working alongside Generation Pro Cycling Events to deliver a summer evening of fast paced cycle racing, acting as the finale to the British Cycling National Circuit Series. The series also features races in Barnsley and Sheffield and the winner of the whole series will be awarded their trophy in Newark.

The race in Newark, which will take place around the town centre on Friday 29 July, will take riders around a 1.2km circuit snaking around the town travelling on Kirk Gate, Middlegate, Stodman Street, Castlegate, Lombard Street, Cartergate, Bridge Street and through the cobbled market square.

An estimated 3,000 spectators will descend on the town for what could be a nail-biting end to the cycling series.

Local Newark rider Isabel Darvill will line up with her Pro-Noctis Rotor Redchilli Bikes team mate, Heidi Kjeldsen, and reigning National Circuit Race Champion Jo Tindley. Last year’s National Series winner Matthew Gibson will lead his WiV SunGod team taking on the likes of former world tour stars Alex Peters (formerly Team Sky), Harry Tanfield and their Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling comrades.

The opening ceremony for the event will take place at 4pm followed by a community ride for local cyclists and businesses with races for younger age groups and amateurs to follow. The main event will start at 7.30pm for the women’s race followed by the men’s race at 8:45pm.

The mixture of surfaces will provide all riders with an exciting challenge on this twisty, technical and fast circuit which will encourage frenetic and thrilling racings all night long.

Councillor David Lloyd, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We’re thrilled that another cycling event will be coming to the district, boosting our local economy.

 “We’ve seen great support before when the Tour of Britain made its way through the town in 2017 and I’m sure residents are filled with excitement to see another race in the centre of the town.

“With 3,000 visitors coming to Newark it’s a chance for us to put ourselves on the map and make the most out of this exciting opportunity.

“As a district we are geared up for plenty of cycling related projects and activities this summer. Not only will this race take part in one of our towns but the Tour of Britain will be paying a visit to some of our other rural towns and villages this summer too. We’re also in the process of installing Brompton bikes across Newark as part of our Towns Fund project as we look to encourage our residents to swap four wheels for two.”

Chris Lawrence, Event Organiser, Generation Pro Cycle Events said: “It has been a challenging two years to get to this point, but with the support and determination of colleagues at Newark and Sherwood District Council, we have the opportunity to really showcase Newark as a beautiful market town, and give inspiration to the next generation of Newark’s residents on the benefits of a healthy and sporting lifestyle.

“We are also very blessed for the support of Pro-noctis, and Pursuitline, two Newark based businesses that have supported the event from day one. We look forward to working with businesses around the town to showcase them to thousands of supporters we hope will join us on the evening.

“I’m truly excited as to the environment I imagine the Royal Market Square creating, as the riders come into it, a cauldron like atmosphere. We should see around 350 entrants that evening, a large bulk of which will be children under the age of 16. Our aim through this event is to inspire the next generation of Newark youngster.”

British Olympic medal winner, Ed Clancy OBE, said: “I’ve been the brand ambassador for pro-noctis for the last seven years and I’m co-founder of PursuitLine, both Newark based companies and we’re delighted to be involved in the return of bike racing to Newark. The race is going to be super-fast and exciting and I can’t wait to hear the crowd in the market square. It’ll be a brilliant day!”

With the route being within the town centre, a number of roads will have to be closed. Alternative routes will be drawn up by the District Council and these will be shared in due course.

This summer the district will also be in a cycling mood as the Tour of Britain returns yet again. The route was announced recently and will go through many of the rural towns and villages in the district.

The first of four Brompton bike docking stations will also be installed soon at Castle Station in Newark, signalling the beginning of an enhanced cycling offer in the town.

Once fully operational, the dock will hold 8 Brompton folding bicycles and residents will be able to book out the bikes via the Brompton bike hire app available on the Apple and Google store.

The installation forms part of one of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s nine priority projects using the £25m Towns Fund deal secured with central Government, which was developed to help increase prosperity and economic growth in towns across the UK. The ’20 Minute Cycle Town’ project links to wider sustainable and active travel ambitions and seeks to make cycling an easier, more affordable option for Newark residents and workers.

Also in Newark, on Sunday 15 May, the Newark Castle Sportive event will take place in the town.  This cycling marathon starts at the Wharf Car Park in Newark, takes cyclists across the district and finishes in the Castle Grounds.