Stockton-on-Tees will host the 2016 British Cycling National Road Championships in June next year, the governing body has confirmed, beating off a rival bid from the Isle of Man.
The town, home to former national time trial champion Chris Newton, will host the men's and women's events in that discipline on Thursday 23 June, with the road races following on Sunday 26 June.
British Cycling's director of cycle sport, Jonny Clay, said: “Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has an excellent record in staging large-scale events and they put together a very strong bid.
“I look forward to seeing their contribution to an event which is established as a landmark on the British sporting calendar with some of the biggest names in world cycling competing for the right to wear Britain’s national champion jersey for 12 months."
The Isle of Man has produced the last two men's road national race champions in the shape of current holder, Team Sky's Peter Kennaugh, and his predecessor, Etixx-Quick Step's Mark Cavendish who said in February that he was "thrilled" at the prospect of racing on home roads.
But Clay said: "Following an initial tender, British Cycling invited Stockton and the Isle of Man to present their final stage bids. It was hard to choose between them but to have two such strong bids in the final stage of selection demonstrates the attractiveness of the British Cycling National Road Race Championships to towns and cities across the country.”
Reuben Kench, Stockton Council’s head of culture, leisure and adult learning, added: “Bringing the country’s most exciting elite cycling competition to Stockton-on-Tees is a huge coup for us
“We view the evening time-trials taking place ahead of the races themselves as an opportunity for people to find a rider to root for, which will make the experience all the more personal.
“Our intention is to position the Championships at the heart of our well-established Cycling Festival and in doing so, we will place elite racing alongside entertainment, fun and participation.
“Through the powerful combination of elite spectacle and recreational riding, we hope to change lifestyles and inspire people to get into the saddle themselves.”
This year's championships will be held in Lincoln between Thursday 25 and Sunday 28 June.
Strange choice to use that material for the bar tape and not for gloves. Full marks for the slightly moist package though.
I usually avoid big supermarkets if not on my hybrid bike; however out bikepacking last weekend on an evening I just brought my bike completely...
This is the key. Most of the roads cyclists will ride on in their communities will be the responsibility of the local authority not central...
Along the lines of zip ties, I have a velcro strap with me. You can buy DIY kits enabling you to cut to length and add a buckle for adjustability....
There's crims everywhere, so don't deal with any of them, eh.
Not quite sure I fully grasp the message as it is another poorly worded and constructed piece of clickbait but if they fail three times there...
Well. That one's been dealt with. It seems a lot of Tories voted for the Hi-de-Hi party, cosplaying the 1950s.
Casual use (On a serious note, I was talking about bicycles of course)
curious innit? And lots of people here have bikes rusting on their balconies...
We know from previous incidents that the police don't always go as far as they could have done in looking for CCTV...