Melton-based CiCLE Classic cycling race to return next year against all the odds

On Sunday, 27th April 2025, over 170 riders from across the world will see the return of ‘the British Classic’, which celebrates 20 years since its first edition, a major milestone for any British one day international race.

Teams and thousands of fans will descend on Rutland to watch some of the most exciting young and developing riders take on the famous parcour.

The UCI race, scheduled in the middle of the ‘Classics’ season, started life 20 years ago as a race designed to bring together local communities and cyclists from across the UK and beyond.

Since then, some of cycling’s most illustrious riders have ridden the farm and gravel tracks that make up the course, finishing in Melton Mowbray.

Mark Cavendish, Matt Stephens, Peter Sagan, Mads Pederson, Malcolm Elliot and most recent winner Luke Lamparti are all participants of the race who have gone on to take the world’s pelotons by storm.

In April this year (2024), the 18th edition was washed out and abandoned after torrential rain over the preceding days and weeks with teams from across the world returning home without turning a crank in anger.

The startline in 2024 included teams from Netherlands, Spain, Canada, North Macedonia and the Middle East, including Israel-Premier Tech Academy.

The race also included outstanding British prospects from teams including Saint Piran Pro Cycling, TekkerZ and Wheelbase-Cabtech-Castelli, among others.

When races are being cancelled across the world, the abandonment of CiCLE this year was almost the death of the Classic, at a time when UK elite cycling is under intense pressure.

Race director, Colin Clews, has found the last six months extremely difficult since its abandonment.

The fact that the race continues in 2025 is the perfect example of the racing community pulling together, saving this iconic event with Sigma sport and Schwalbe UK once again sharing title sponsorship.

Colin said: “The 20 years anniversary of this race is a celebration of the individuals, partners, teams, riders and communities that pour their heart and soul into this race.

“That dedication and passion has never been more evident in the support I have received since this year's postponement.

“Teams and partners have helped us through the financial pressure facing us, a financial pressure that could have ended the race forever.

“But here we are with a new look and feel to the UK’s only UCI Classic-style race. If you are a fan of the Belgian Classics like Flanders or E3, be part of our own - The British Classic, CiCLE.”

Legendary cyclist and former winner Malcolm Elliott said: “I’m delighted to see the CiCLE Classic back for 2025.

“The race holds great memories for me, as winner of the 2007 edition, it remains the highlight of my late career comeback.

“It’s a unique event in the UK calendar, with its meandering parcours and challenging off-road sectors making it always interesting for riders and spectators alike.

“Celebrating 20 years of top class organisation, I wish the CiCLE Classic every success for the next 20 years.”

To celebrate CiCLE Classic’s 20th anniversary, the race is undergoing a face lift with a new logo, brand, online presence and enhanced fan experience.

Colin sees this development as the next step in taking this race to new sponsors, teams and most importantly, fans, saying: “We do not ever want to be in the same situation as we found ourselves in this year.

“So we are looking at how we promote the race and how we take it forward for the next five years.

“I truly believe we have an incredible cycling culture in the UK and if we can use this race to build on that and capture imaginations of tomorrow’s cyclists, we will have achieved our goal.”

CiCLE Classic will be held on Sunday, 27th April 2025 and supported by the Sigma Sports CiCLE Classic Sportive the day before on 26th April.

The women’s and Junior’s race will go ahead in 2025 on Sunday 23rd March, with more information to be published in the coming weeks.

Expressions of interest from teams wishing to participate should contact [email protected]