Cyclists with disabilities to race in Warwick
Warwick Cycle Races is this year to be one of just a handful of national venues to host a new series of races for cyclists with disabilities.
British Cycling has just launched a series of new initiatives for cyclists with a disability at the Manchester Velodrome, and the annual races in Warwick will host the fifth round of the competition.
Warwick Cycle Races, organised by Warwickshire County Council in partnership with British Cycling, Warwick District Council, TravelWise and Action 21, has been confirmed as taking place again this year on Sunday, September 6.
This follows yet another record breaking race event in September 2008 with crowds packing the town of Warwick to watch some of the best cyclists in the world racing on the closed town centre roads.
Plus the event is proving a huge hit with families as each year more and more attractions are added.
Already plans are underway to make this year’s event a success and Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment today welcomed the addition of the new race for cyclists with a disability.
He said: “I’m delighted to see Warwick chosen as one of the venues for this all new race series, specifically designed for cyclists with a disability.
“Each year Warwick Cycle Races grows and grows, proving to be a huge attraction on the day, while also driving home many sustainable messages.”
Commenting on the launch of the new series British Cycling chief executive Ian Drake said: “British Cycling is working hard to make sure everyone can enjoy cycling at all levels. The new road racing series, coach education materials and Go-Ride club all help to achieve this, and I am looking forward to seeing them continue to develop.”
Paralympic gold medallist Anthony Kappes MBE said: “Creating chances for everyone to have a go at and enjoy cycling is really important to developing future talent and for keeping people active. It’s great to see that British Cycling has developed specific coaching resources, a club and a race series for riders with a disability.”
Warwick will be hosting round five of British Cycling’s inaugural National Disability Circuit Race Series. This exciting new series of races will create new opportunities for para-cyclists who want to race, and will be watched closely by British Cycling’s coaches to identify potential Paralympians.
The racing format has been designed to ensure para-cyclists can race on a level playing field and that racing is fun, exciting and fair.
For more information visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/cycleraces or http://www.britishcycling.org.uk, or for more information on Action 21 see http://www.action21.co.uk