Get set for Warwick Cycle Races
Britain’s top cyclists are gearing up for Warwick Cycle Races this Sunday (September 5).
World and Olympic Champion Ed Clancy MBE has entered the elite race and for the first time the event is hosting a special race for emergency services personnel to go tyre to tyre.
There is also a whole host of stalls and family activities at the event including unicycling, juggling, children’s rides, facepainting, balloon making and you can pedal your own smoothie too.
The event starts at 11am with the National A Race for Elite Riders being the finale from 5pm to 6pm. Visitors can attend any time of day and the event is completely free.
Last years winner of the Warwick Cycle Races Elite race, Ian Wilkinson, has taken time out from his busy racing and training schedule to answer some questions ahead of this years Warwick Cycle Races.
What’s your favourite thing about the Warwick circuit and racing in Warwick?
It’s a classic tight criterium course set in a lovely town centre which produces a superb ambiance in the tight finish straight and square
How and when did you start cycle racing?
I started out on a cheap mountain bike when I was 14 ripping round local woods, then did a local mountain bike race, then did some road events as training - now its my job. Nice.
What’s your greatest achievement?
Great Britain selections for world championships and winning Rutland Melton Cicle Classic last year
What does the future hold/ what have you got planned for the next few years?
Future of cycle racing appears to be great at the moment, luckily I am good at the crit events such as Warwick and the televised Tour series therefore I hope to continue racing these events with my team Endura Racing. Next big goal is the tour of britain which starts on 11th Sept for 8 days
What advice would you give to people to encourage them to start cycling?
Find a good bike, it does not need to cost a fortune, get some comfy shorts and start enjoying the feel of wind in your face and money in your pocket (saved on petrol) reduce your stress levels from sitting in traffic all day.
*British Cycling and Warwickshire County Council organise the event and would like to thank the sponsors TravelWise, Carillion, Telent and Hinckley and South Wigston Cycle Centre without which the event would not take place.