by Anna Magrath | Apr 27, 2014
Katie Archibald – Ready to Race
Press Release:
FOUR WEEKS TO GO UNTIL THE MILK RACE!
This weekend marks four weeks until the return of the legendary Milk Race event to Nottingham City Centre on Sunday 25 May.
Following the successful resurrection of the event in 2013, a number of elite cyclists have entered this year’s races. They include Dame Sarah Storey, who last week won two gold medals in the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Mexico, World and European cycling champion Katie Archibald, and Olympic gold medalist Ed Clancy.
As well as the elite races, the Milk Race will offer a unique opportunity for the whole family to take part. Three categories of public rides are open for registration – a family ride (suitable for all ages and abilities, including young children), a community ride (for children and adults 8 years plus of all abilities) and an advanced ride (12 years plus, suitable for club riders, experienced cyclists and regular commuters).
Families and individuals can register for the public rides via the website at http://www.themilkrace.com/register-now.
The event’s return to Nottingham has been made possible by The Dairy Council and Nottingham City Council who are hosting a day of family activities in Old Market Square on the Saturday before the Milk Race.
Councillor David Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Sport and Leisure at Nottingham City Council, said: “With activities for the whole family, plus the cream of British elite cycling taking to Nottingham’s roads, this year’s Milk Race looks set to be even bigger than in 2013.”
Dairy Council Chairman Sandy Wilkie said: “With one month to go, it’s fantastic to see the excitement building for this year’s event. The standard of the elite cyclists is set to be even higher than in 2013 and with the public rides on offer once again, the Milk Race will have something for everyone.”
The Nottingham Building Society has sponsored the Family Ride in this year’s Milk Race. On being a local sponsor, Partnership and Sponsorships Manager Vicky Hall said: “We are delighted to sponsor the 2014 Family Ride. The Milk Race is a prestigious event that originated in the heartland of Nottingham so it’s great to be able to offer families across the whole community a chance to take part.”
Further information about the 2014 Milk Race can be found at www.themilkrace.com.
About The Milk Race
- Between 1958 and 1993, The Milk Race was the most prestigious cycling event in the British calendar, and the (now disbanded) Milk Marketing Board’s sponsorship remains the longest association that the sport has ever had.
- The multistage race of old was conducted over a number of day races – across a number of locations – and was contested by some of the most successful ever road cyclists.
- Previous Milk Race winners include Shane Sutton – a current part of British Cycling’s coaching set-up – and Malcolm Elliott, the team manager of the Node4-Giordana professional team.
- In 2013, The Milk Race returned after 20 years and was held in Nottingham city centre – attended by over 60,000 people. Dani King and Felix English won the women’s elite race and the men’s elite race respectively.
- The Milk Race is a registered trademark of The Dairy Council and the event is funded by members of the Milk Marketing Forum (comprised of Arla Foods UK, Dairy Crest Limited, First Milk and Müller Wiseman Dairies).
by Heather Bamforth | Apr 23, 2014
It’s been a few years since bike racing hit the Prom in Blackpool, but this year the Lewis Balyckyi Memorial Crits have left the Palatine circuit and have moved on to the Prom at Bispham. Further details can be found below:
Organiser Jerrod Hartley has been working extremely hard behind the scenes to secure the use of the Prom to ensure that the day will be one not to be missed! All profits from the races and the raffle will go towards the Lewis Balyckyi Trust Fund, which is a registered charity (registered charity number 1150807) that raises money to help aspiring athletes fulfill their dreams and potential as cyclists.
The event is supported by Smiths Equipment Hire who have a variety of offers for those supporting the event, which are detailed below:
If this event sounds like something you want to get involved in, you can enter on the British Cycling website at https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/106716/The-Lewis-Balyckyi-Memorial-Crits-2014
You can also keep up to date with news of the event via Facebook or Twitter
A day out in Blackpool racing on the Prom! What’s not to like?
by Anna Magrath | Apr 22, 2014
PRESS RELEASE
Tickets for the biggest ever Tour de France Team Presentation Ceremony in history will go on sale this week.
The biggest stars from the world of cycling, including Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish, from all 22 teams will grace the stage as part of a spectacular live event.
The show will take place at Leeds Arena on the evening of the 3rd July, just two days before the Tour de France 2014 gets under way in Yorkshire.
It will be the first time the Team Presentation Ceremony has been done on such a large scale and will see the teams joined by live entertainment and acts – marking another first for Yorkshire’s Grand Départ.
The event will be overseen by Martin Green, the Head of Ceremonies for the London 2012 Olympics, where he led the team who delivered the opening and closing ceremonies. The event will see him return to the city where he studied for his masters degree in theatre studies at Leeds University.
Ticket prices range from £45 to £85 – and are available to buy from 9am on Friday April 25 via the official arena ticket website at www.firstdirectarena.com
Live acts and entertainment are set to be announced in the coming weeks.
Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France, said: “The Team Presentation this year in Leeds will be a first for the Tour and we hope it will become a template for Team Presentations in the future. It shows how much passion there is for cycling in the UK and Yorkshire’s Grand Départ.”
Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “When we were handed the honour of hosting the Grand Départ here in Yorkshire, we promised the ASO that we would put on the grandest of Grand Départs. This spectacular event at the arena is part of doing just that – and this offers fans the chance to not only witness a first in the history of the Tour, but be part of a once-in-a-lifetime event for our county.”
Tony Watson, Director of Sales, Marketing & PR at the Leeds Arena, said: “The Leeds Arena has been designed to deliver world class events and therefore our team are delighted to be welcoming the Team Presentation Ceremony here in a few weeks’ time. With world class acoustics, great views from every seat and with us being located right in the heart of Leeds, there isn’t a better way to kick-off the greatest annual sporting event on Earth.”
Welcome to Yorkshire has been encouraging people since the start of the year to register for an opportunity to purchase tickets early (this Thursday) ahead of general sale (this Friday), and people still have chance to join the thousands of others who have already pre registered by visiting www.letouryorkshire.com/teampresentation before it closes at midnight tonight (Tuesday April 22).
More than ten thousand are expected to see the Team Presentation Ceremony on the evening of the 3rd July, making it the biggest in the history of the Tour de France.
by Anna Magrath | Apr 17, 2014
The Herne Hill Velodrome Trust presents…
- Jon Snow throws down gauntlet to Russell Brand and Philip Hindes MBE, Olympic gold medalist
- Money raised will go towards securing the Velodrome’s future and riders’ nominated charities
The Herne Hill Velodrome Trust are delighted to announce the launch of the Herne Hill Velodrome Riband, a fundraising challenge pitching top cyclists against Twitter-savvy celebrities. The HHV Riband will be a high-profile fundraiser with 50 per cent of the funds raised going towards securing the Velodrome’s future and the other 50 per cent towards riders’ nominated charities.
So how does it work? Each rider, whether they’re Olympian Philip Hindes MBE or Jon Snow, broadcaster and Channel 4 News presenter, will ride three laps of the 450m track at the Herne Hill Velodrome – from a standing start, they’ll have one windup lap, then two timed laps. The fastest lap will be their registered time.
And who will win? Well, it really could be anyone’s. That’s right, we haven’t mentioned the special twist – the person with the highest total ‘score’ will be announced as the winner. A person’s ‘score’ will be calculated by dividing each rider’s fundraising efforts by their fastest lap time. So, a ‘slow’ celebrity could out sprint an Olympian by raising more cash – an ingenious way for a celebrity to beat an Olympian.
#bicyclebulletin presenter Sophie Robehmed & Jon Snow selfie at the launch of the Herne Hill Velodrome Riband.
The Riband announcement was made in the first episode of the #bicyclebulletin by Hillary Peachey, Chairman of the Herne Hill Velodrome Trust. The first challengers are avid cyclist, Jon Snow, Channel 4 News Anchor and Philip Hindes, Olympic cycling gold medal winner, who will both compete for the HHV Riband later in the year.
Talking to the #bicyclebulletin, Jon Snow said: “I will be riding for my charity New Horizon Youth Centre. I have more than 402,000 followers on Twitter so what I may lack in speed, I expect to more than compensate for through fundraising online. I believe dirty tricks are allowed so I will be calling on some old friends to help out.” And who would Snow like to be up against on the track? “I am very keen to challenge @RustyRockets – Russell Brand.”
Philip Hindes said: “I will be riding for Team Herne Hill. I am one of the fastest men on the track in the UK so, although I don’t yet have 400,000 twitter followers like Jon, I am quietly confident I can give my rivals a run for their money! I also have one or two old friends in the right places. I am challenging my friend, Andy Tennant, Team GB cyclist.”
Up to nine riders will be invited to take part in the HHV Riband, which will commence later this year. Their laps will be broadcast online on the #bicyclebulletin’s website: www.bicyclebulletin.co.uk.
Herne Hill Velodrome patron, double Olympic gold medalist and nine times world champion track cyclist, Victoria Pendleton CBE, said: “May the best team win.”
Interested riders should contact Theodore Bird ([email protected]; +44 (0)7711 747 334). Don’t miss all the action – subscribe to the Bicycle Bulletin’s channels at www.bicyclebulletin.co.uk.
Herne Hill Velodrome
The Herne Hill Velodrome is one of the oldest tracks in the world. It was built in 1891 and used for the 1948 London Olympic Games. The Herne Hill Velodrome Trust is a registered charity working towards building a new pavilion on site to give riders, staff, volunteers and spectators the facilities they all deserve. For more information please go to www.hhvt.org
New Horizon Youth Centre
Jon Snow is Chair of the New Horizon Youth Centre, a day centre for 16 to 24-year-olds in central London. The annual New Horizon’s Comedy Benefit, hosted by comedian Ed Byrne, will take place at the Shaw Theatre on June 2 2014, tickets available from Ticketmaster.
by Anna Magrath | Mar 27, 2014
Saturday saw the launch of a new women’s cycling team – Team Jadan, hoping to change the image and progression of how women are involved in road racing. Team Jadan had its official presentation in the historic East Yorkshire town of Beverley at the eponymously named Beverley Arms Hotel.
As you may or may not know the Cycling Shorts collective has taken it’s first foray into cycling team sponsorship. We are very proud to announce our Official sponsorship of the new women’s Cycling Team – Team Jadan.
When I met the women on the team I knew they had the right attitude and mindset that I like to see in sportswomen. Cycling Shorts had to be involved!
I’m really impressed with the team’s attitude towards promoting women’s racing to all levels of riders. They are a great group of strong focused women. The team are out to prove you can have a family, career and study but still be part of a structured cycling team. As we all know the cycling world is male dominated and it’s a place where women are still not given equal standing, it needs these ladies to shake it up a bit from the grassroots!
I should also point out we have a vested interest because our Sub-Editor (and women’s cycling game changer) Heather Bamforth will be one of the team’s key riders this season. So no pressure Heather!
AnnaBel Sill & Frankie White – Hull Thursday 2-Up TT – ©TeamJadan / chrismaher.co.uk
Team Jadan is the brainchild of Victoria Hood who believes that the perception of what women of all levels can achieve in cycle road racing needs to be changed.
The concept behind the team is to provide a stepping stone for women to progress through the racing categories, keeping the experience friendly and supportive. The goal of the team is to break down the barriers for non-elite riders and to prove that road racing is accessible for women and that they have other options than just breeze rides and charity events if they want to gain more experience.
This year’s team is made up of a variety of levels of experience, all very strong cyclists in their own right, but the riders have also been selected for their attitude and because they are good ambassadors and role models for women’s road cycling. Team Jadan are here to prove you can have a full time job and family life as well as competing at a high level in what is a tough competitive sport.
The team will play a key role in the new Yorkshire Women’s Road Race Series (promoted by Victoria Hood) and the successful CDNW RR League (promoted by Team Jadan rider Heather Bamforth), both of which exist to provide a springboard for women’s cycling talent without the intimidating atmosphere of some of the traditional events on the race calendar.
Victoria Hood & Pam Wainman – ©Team Jadan / chrismaher.co.uk
When Victoria was looking for sponsors she chose the more continental style of sponsorship by including local businesses as well as international sports brands. The principal sponsor is Jadan Press, a Hull-based digital printers. The owner Pam Wainman was approached by Victoria and the two clicked immediately. Pam’s mother was a keen cyclist in the 1950’s and she sadly passed away just before Pam and Victoria met. When Pam heard Victoria’s plans for a women’s cycling team to encourage development of riders she decided she had to be part of it, “I know my mum would have been proud of the girls”.
The Sports brands on board are:
Bioracer UK who provide the women’s team kit.
Cycling Shorts an online cycling magazine who are providing the team’s website and PR.
Torq Fitness provides the team with performance nutrition products.
Vankru Cycling have fitted the team’s bikes.
Cycling Photographer Chris Maher who is the team’s official photographer.
Yorkshire Sponsors:
Jadan Press – Printers.
Neil Thompson Strength & Fitness a personal Trainer – Neil wants to promote strength training for women as it helps fight off osteoporosis.
Riley’s – a designer clothes retailer in Beverley.
Prestige – an East Yorkshire company specialising in damp proofing, fire and flood restoration.
Hugh Rice Jewellers – A Jewellery retailer with stores across the North of England.
The team aims to give back to its sponsors too. The team will all write about their training and racing experiences during the season. Through the www.TeamJadan.com website, sponsors are also encouraged to share their latest news.
The team is packed with personality, with different skills and backgrounds; A-level students, trainee teachers, mums and career women. They are out to prove that women can be involved in cycling with the same level of commitment and professionalism as their male counterparts, organising themselves as a dedicated competitive team with quality sponsors.
Meet the team:
Victoria Hood – Team Captain – East Yorkshire
Victoria is a qualified ride leader and an NSI cycle instructor.
“The team I have is amazing they are all really strong riders but the important thing to me was that they had to be friendly and approachable, cycling is tough but it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun at the same time as racing. I want to promote women’s cycling, make it more accessible and help to bring more girls into the sport.”
Heather Bamforth – Manchester
Heather has over 20 years’ experience of cycling, and has raced at both national and international level on the road in the past. A qualified cycling coach, Heather has proved to be one of the key people in bringing about a change to women’s competitive cycling by making it appealing to all levels of female cyclist.
“Victoria asked me to join the team as she wanted to set up a similar level of racing in Yorkshire to what I helped to instigate in the North West. 2014 sees the inaugural Yorkshire Women’s Road Race Series which I hope will prove to be as successful as the North West races. I am looking forward to being part of the team and we have a beautiful kit from Bioracer, which definitely helps us look the part!”
Olivia Tomlinson – East Yorkshire
Olivia is the youngest member of the team and is in her first year as a senior rider. Olivia had some great results last season and is looking to build on her success last year.
“I have been riding since I was 14 – I took part in a local club’s time trials and joined in on their Sunday rides. When I was 16 I began to enter races and really enjoyed taking part in the events. For this year’s season I am looking forward to racing in a women s team, I’m hoping to progress and learn from the other more experienced team members”.
Annabel Sill – Hertfordshire
Annabel has been riding for 6 years. “Cycling and racing has been a big part of my life since university, and my current housemates put up with me having four bikes in the house and a turbo in the corner of the kitchen. I’ve been time trialling for five years, and started doing a mix of crits, road races and TTs in the 2013 season – and that’s how I met Victoria, she asked if I would like to join the team. I’m keen to promote women’s racing and I’m currently doing a British Cycling Level 2 Coaching course to help bring on youth and junior girls at my cycling club Welwyn Wheelers. I’m really looking forward to building on my strengths, and being able to race with and support the other girls on the team this year!”
Lauren Brown – Carlisle
Lauren is a feisty rider, who has a number of local victories under her belt over the last few seasons.
“Having raced for Abergavenny WCT last season, I’m looking forward to racing with the girls in National Series events and the CDNW women’s road race league and the new Yorkshire road race league. I’m from a sprint and track background then two years ago I switched to road. I’m a Level 2 British Cycling Coach and I help little kids improve their skills… well I certainly hope I do!”
Frankie White – Manchester
“I’m very much looking forward to racing in the UK and beyond with this lovely group of ladies. We have a great mix of characters on this team, each inspiring me to work hard and develop as a rider. I really enjoyed our first training camp in FebruaryI much prefer the long races, 3 hours is good for me, I’m the complete opposite to Lauren, she’s really good at 1 hour long crits. I find it’s not nearly enough for my style of racing, I love the endurance.”
Sam Thoy – Lincolnshire
Sam has been racing cyclocross through the winter, with 5 wins under her belt so far – a latecomer to cycling but with a fell running background she’s a very strong athlete.
Sam said “I am looking forward to this year, with our team doing some proper damage at the national team series events. I also fancy trying the round town circuit races and there is a race up Alpe d’Huez that I must do! I just love biking and racing, why did I not discover it earlier!”
by Heather Bamforth | Mar 24, 2014
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.
The 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)
£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!
Dairy Council Chairman Sandy Wilkie said: “With one month to go, it’s fantastic to see the excitement building for this year’s event. The standard of the elite cyclists is set to be even higher than in 2013 and with the public rides on offer once again, the Milk Race will have something for everyone.”
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