One month to go until the Newark Town Cycle Races

The British Cycling Men's and Women's National Circuit Series sees the country’s best riders and teams go head-to-head across a number of towns across England.

Newark and Sherwood District Council is working alongside Generation Pro Cycling Events to deliver a summer afternoon and evening of fast paced cycle racing along with a variety of food stalls, music and commentary taking you through the racings as it plays out. The series also features races in Otley, Ilkley, Colne, and Barnsley, before 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, Castle Gate, Lombard Street, Cartergate, Bridge Street and through the cobbled market square.

Local Newark rider Isabel Darvill will line up with her Pro-Noctis - Rotor - Redchilli Bikes - Heidi Kjeldsen women’s cycling team, and 2021 National Circuit Race Champion Jo Tindley; plus Rebecca Richards for Storey Racing. This year’s National Circuit Race Champion Matthew Bostock 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 events will start at 7.30pm for the women’s race followed by the men’s race at 8:45pm. Roads will be closed in the town at 3pm and will re-open at 11pm.

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 lots of 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.

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!”

Residents are reminded that some of the roads around the town centre in Newark will be closed for a large part of the afternoon and evening during the race. Please plan to make alternative routes if you will be travelling during that time.

It’s not the only bit of cycling taking place in the district this year either. The Tour of Britain is returning yet again on Thursday 8 September with cyclists passing through Blidworth, Farnsfield, Southwell and through Sherwood Forest and Edwinstowe.