Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic confirms biggest-ever team line-up for 2017

The rural backdrop of the Rutland-Melton International CiCLE Classic EMN-170328-191106002

A total of 38 squads have been chosen to ride this year’s race, while more than 60 entries had to be returned after the 180 available places were filled.

The course has been extended by 10km, adding to the Classic’s reputation as one of the most challenging single-day races on the British and continental circuits.

“This year we have 10 foreign-registered teams, together with a team representing Ulster,” said race director Colin Clews.

CiCLE Classic race director Colin Clews EMN-170401-173150002

“This reduces the opportunities for smaller British domestic teams to take part in what is one of only two chances each year to ride in an international race on British soil.

“But we have tried to accommodate as many small teams as we can in this year’s race, resulting in a record overall number of squads, many of whom we have had to limit to four rather than six riders.

“The result we hope will be the most competitive race ever.”

An East Midlands regional team will takes its customary place on the start line in Oakham on Sunday, April 23, and will sport jerseys promoting the Somerby-based Mount Group Riding for the Disabled (RDA), the race’s first chosen charity.

CiCLE Classic race director Colin Clews (middle) is pictured with assistant race director Kelvin Hoy (right) and David Middlemiss, managing director of Giant Rutland Cycling, one of the race's chief sponsors EMN-170903-143824002

In turn, Mount Group volunteers and riders will be out at the start and finish to support,

“We hope that in addition to the international teams that the public will especially cheer on this team, who will be representing such a worthy cause,” Clews added.

The associated Giant Rutland CiCLE Tour sportif events will be held the previous day, starting and finishing at race sponsors Giant Store premises at Normanton, with more than 1,500 cyclists expected.

Entries remain open. Visit www.itpevents.co.uk for details.

Team line-up: JLT-Condor (GBR) UCI Continental; Madison-Genesis (GBR) UCI Continental; Raleigh-GAC (GBR) UCI Continental; Monkey Town (NED) UCI Continental; ONE ProCycling (GBR) UCI Continental; Bike Channel-Canyon (GBR) UCI Continental; WPG Amsterdam (NED) Dutch Elite Team; Guerciotti-Redondella (ESP) Spanish Elite Team; An Post-Chain Reaction (IRL) UCI Continental; Aseg Douai (FRA) French Elite Team; Neon Velo (GBR) British Elite Team; C.C.Villeneuve/St Germain (FRA) French Elite Team; Catford-Banks (GBR) British Elite Team; Dare-Viator-Partizan (ESP) UCI Continental; Reitumu Banca (LAT) UCI Continental; Team Wiggins (GBR) UCI Continental; Metaltek-Kuota (GBR) British Elite Team; Brother-NRG-DriverPLan (GBR) British Elite Team; Kuwait-Cartuchos.es (KUW) UCI Continental; Start (ARG) UCI Continental; Spirit-Tifosi (GBR) British Elite Team; Cycling Ulster (IRL) National Team; VCUK-Velo Champion (GBR) British Elite Team; Wheelbase-Altura-MGB 137-141 (GBR) British Elite Team; Team KTM (GBR) British Club Team; Wellingborough (GBR) British Club Team; Flamme Rouge (GBR) British Club Team; Team PB Performance (GBR) British Club Team; East Mids-RDA (GBR) British Regional Team; ProVision RT (GBR) British Club Team; Leisure Lakes Bikes (GBR) British Club Team; RPD Racing (GBR) British Club Team; Southdowns-Casco (GBR) British Club Team; Godfrey Bikewear Rt (GBR) British Club Team; Giant-Wattbike (GBR) British Club Team; TBW Bottechia-Wigmore RT (GBR) British Club Team; OVB (GBR) British Club Team; QSW Cycling Team (GBR) British Club Team.