Shrewsbury Grand Prix – Equal Prize Money for Men & Women

There’s a new race in town on 25 May 2014 and it promises to be something quite special.

If you were thinking about the Milk Race and are now worried that you might not get a ride, then do not fear, because help is here in the form of Shrewsbury Grand Prix.

But that doesn’t mean that it is any less worthy than the Milk Race – the Shrewsbury Grand Prix boasts equal prize money for men and women – and with a prize fund of £1,300 for the women’s race alone, it looks set to be a great event with equally great prizes!  This is a fantastic opportunity for the women, as it is likely that the top riders will be at the Milk Race due to the potential TV coverage for their sponsors.

Shrewsbury GP flyerThe event has a dedicated Facebook page and Twitter account and has also produced a promotional video

So what prizes are on offer?  The British Cycling link to the event (where you can also enter) has the details, but to whet your appetite, I can confirm the details are as follows:

Pure Communications Women Only

£1300 Prize Fund

1st £500 + Set of Bontrager Race Wheels RRP £250 + Pair of Tifosi Podium Glasses RRP £60

2nd £300 + Pair of Tifosi Podium Glasses RRP £60

3rd £150 + Pair of Tifosi Podium Glasses RRP £60

4th £100     5th £80     6th £60     7th £40     8th £30     9th £20     10th £10

 

Cooper Green Amateur Crit (for 2nd/3rd/4th category men)

race schedule£400 Prize Fund

1st £100 + £150 Altura Clothing Voucher + Pair of Tifosi Podium Glasses RRP £60

2nd £80 + Pair of Tifosi Podium Glasses RRP £60

3rd £60 + Pair of Tifosi Podium Glasses RRP £60

4th £50     5th £35     6th £25     7th £15     8th £15     9th £10     10th £10

 

Stan Cycles Pro Crit (for Elite/1st/2nd/3rd cat men)

£1300 Prize Fund

1st £500 + Cateye GPS Computer RRP £90 + + Pair of Tifosi Podium Glasses RRP £60

2nd £300 + Pair of Tifosi Podium Glasses RRP £60

3rd £150 + Pair of Tifosi Podium Glasses RRP £60

4th £100     5th £80     6th £60     7th £40     8th £30     9th £20     10th £10

In addition there is a £600 prize fund available for primes within the 3 races.

Thats a total cash prze fund of £3,600!!!

The organiser, Ben Lawrence, has a set of great sponsors – Stan’s Cycles, Pure Communications, Cooper Green Pooks (Estate Agents), and Beaumont Lawrence (Chartered Insurance Brokers) who have supported the event by providing these fantastic prizes.

For further information relating to the race schedule and the course layout, see below:

The event looks set to be a great afternoon, and there are plans to get the family involved, which will really make a great day.  Keep up to date with the event on their Facebook and Twitter accounts and let’s hope the event gets the support that it most definitely deserves!

The London Bike Show 2013 (Review 2)

Hopefully this will add something to the great article written by Tony here.

Last week was tough for cycling, hitting the national headlines for all the wrong reasons. Yet help was at hand with the start of the pro tour season in Australia and Argentina and perhaps even more exciting;  4 days of the London Bike Show to cheer even the most cynical of fans.

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Bradleys Wiggins’ Pinarello Dogma in Malliot Jaune Livery

Having never been to an event like this before, the first thing that struck me was the sheer number of people in attendance. OK, tickets included entry to three additional shows within the Excel but the exhibition centre was positively throbbing. As the glitz and glamour of Wiggo mania wanes it was heartening to see continued excitement surrounding cycle sport in general.

Kudos goes to the new Madison Genesis team, managed by ex Garmin-Cervelo rider Roger Hammond, who held their team presentation on the Saturday of the show. Hosted by the delightful Ant McCrossan it was a chance to see some of the team’s extremely youthful looking riders like Alex Peters and Brendan Townshend which have combined with elder more experienced riders like Dean Downing, Ian Bibby and Andy Tennant.

The Madison-Genesis Continental Team being presented on stage

Arguably the most interesting aspect of this team is their promotion of the Steel framed Genesis Volare bike. Equipped with a Shimano Dura Ace and Pro finishing kit, the team bike is a delight aesthetically. Extremely classical, yet with modern touches. The downtube is wider than traditional steel bikes pandering to the modern trend for oversized tubing.Indeed the team is making a big deal out of the specially developed Reynolds tubing made in Birmingham.

The prevelance of Carbon Fibre as the go to material for high end road bikes may yet be challenged and as Genesis themselves argue; they have looked to banish those 80’s misconceptions that Steel frames are heavy flexible steeds. Instead, suggesting that they have combined the durability and comfort that is usually associated with a steel frame, with the race weight and stiffness of modern bikes.

Bibby, Downing, Jack Pullar, Chris Snook and Sebastian Baylis proved the bike was no slouch when they took part in the Elite Men’s Criterium after the presentation. The speed of the peloton around the tight, twisting 500 metre indoor circuit was astonishing to watch. With Bibby coming out on top beating UK circuit regular teams likes IG-Sigma Sport and Hope Factory Racing Team it was the perfect start for the new team. The folding bicycle race was also great to watch as a prelude to the main criterium. The ‘Le Mans’ style start meant that riders had to unfold their bicycles before setting off. Keith Henderson’s huge, race winning attack on the penultimate lap was very impressive. The Animal Bike Tour with Martyn Ashton, Blake Samson, Luke Madigan and Billy Atkins was also a joy to watch. Whilst Ashton was undoubtedly superb, Billy Atkins at the age of 17 pulled off some outrageous tricks on a scooter.

Elsewhere at the show you could not move for visual delights. Cervelo, Pinarello, Willier and Specialized all in attendance. Yet what struck me in

Stealthy looking Wilier

Stealthy looking Wilier

particular was the range of bike brands on offer. Canyon, Team and Time amongst others. Canyon in particular were exhibiting a range of road and MTB frames all at varying price brackets. The Ultimate CF was a particular delight with perfect geometry and presence at a great price, along with Joaquim Rodigruez’s Giro d’Italia customised Aeroad CF lavishly decorated with pink decals to match the Maglia Rosa he spectacularly lost to Ryder Hesjedal in 2012. This spectrum of bikes although dizzyingly confusing can only be a good thing for the continuation of top end cycle sport. And with the news that Pinarello is looking to stock frames at selected Halfords stores, we are now more than ever, spoilt for choice.

Amongst other products on show, Nanoprotech was perhaps the most innovative, like nothing I’ve seen before. Whilst Sportful where exhibiting an extremely lightweight waterproof jacket. Hope continue to produce beautifully engineered bike products, contact points and accessories whilst Schwalbe’s extensive range of tyres was mind boggling. Last word goes to Clif Bar whose Builders Bar was very tasty in a variety of flavours along with their electrolyte shot in Citrus and double espresso was easy on the palette.

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