Olympic gold medallist Ed Clancy to compete at Warwick

Olympic medallists Ed Clancy and Rob Hayles will be among 70 elite cyclists at the annual Warwick Cycle Races next month. Clancy was gold medallist in the Beijing team pursuit while Hayles won silver and bronze medals at Athens in 2004 in the team pursuit and Madison events and earlier this month he won the Blackpool Nocturne.

Councillor Alan Cockburn, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment said: “Since the Beijing games and the incredible success of Team GB the interest in cycling has been incredible. It’s great news for the races in Warwick to have one of the gold medallists in the elite race.”

The race, on Sunday, September 6, will be the climax of a day’s worth of events, including round five of British Cycling’s inaugural National Disability Circuit Race series and amateur races for local adult and juniors.

The first race of the day is at 11am starting at the Shire Hall in Market Place while the elite pro’s race is from 5pm and will take just over an hour.

Karen Hall of the council’s sustainable travel team said: “The town centre circuit is about one km long and the cyclists will race for an hour, then there are five laps to conclude the race. It’s about 30 miles but spectators can get a great view.

“There are plenty of other events during the day for families and people who just like cycling – the amateur race is open to all so if people fancy a challenge they should definitely enter.”

Spectators will be able to try unicycling and juggling and there will also be children’s rides, face painting and balloon making, as well as the chance to win your own bike and gym passes in a competition being run on the day.

The race is organised by Warwickshire County Council in partnership with British Cycling, Travelwise, Warwick District Council and Action 21. To see a full plan of the day’s races and to enter visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/cycleraces