Yorkshire Festival of Cycling 2008

Yorkshire Festival of Cycling 2008

Previous editions of the Festival had seen a focus firstly on the one, then later two week, mid-summer programme. Packed into the Festival was a range of British Cycling's major events, together with a mix of regional races.

In four years the Festival had reached the point where it had just about outgrown that model. New events were planned but couldn't fit into such a rigid programme. It had become a massive drain on British Cycling Yorkshire Region's volunteers as well as becoming a potential obstacle to other promoters around the country, with its prime mid-summer slot.

Taking a new direction the Festival will now be a season long programme that showcases the best National events across a wide range of age groups and activities. Festival Chairman Bob Howden says: "The Festival in just four years grew out of all proportion to our early ambitions and we'd reached a crossroads where we had to make a vital decision. Did we take a step back to a simpler programme or did we continue the growth but over a wider timescale? It's maybe testament to the commitment of our volunteers that they voted to keep the development rolling.

The new programme saw its first challenge however when in March the National Youth Series Races had to be cancelled at the last minute due to snow. Snow was a new challenge to us, having moved from our mid-summer window, we'd had storms and floods before but the snow really left us with nowhere to go. It was particularly disappointing for us as we place a strong emphasis on Youth Development."

The sun should however break through for the Festival's next event, the White Rose Classic Sportive on the 8th June. It's only the third edition of the event but it's clear that the Classic title is justified. Fully subscribed again, over 800 riders will take to the Yorkshire Dales along three routes of varying distances.

Two days later and some fast and furious evening racing comes to town in Brighouse. Following a successful introduction last year the event now steps up a level to become a counting round of British Cycling's National Circuit Race Series.

Moving form road to grass The annual York Cycle Show takes place on the weekend of the 21st - 22nd June and the Saturday sees Grass Track racing and in particular British Cycling's National 8km Championship. The same weekend also has on the Sunday the Tom Simpson Junior Grand Prix a round of the British Cycling National Junior Series at Harworth.

Top of the charts for spectators has always been the Otley Town Centre Races. A superb circuit and thousands of spectators makes for a great evening of racing. The show arrives again on the 26th June and will feature the British Cycling National Circuit Race Series.

North Yorkshire takes it's turn on the weekend of the 28th and 29th June. Duncombe Park Stately Home in picturesque Helmsley has been home to Festival events since 2005 when it first hosted the National Road Race Championships. Since then there's been two editions of the Ryedale Grand Prix and this year the 'Nationals' return again. The Women's Championship will be held on the Saturday with the men taking to the road on the Sunday. The weekend also sees a range of support events including a youth competition and a charity ride for Cancer Research UK.

Staying in North Yorkshire and the Helmsley area, the BC Yorkshire team hold their second Sportive of the year on the 27th July. The Ryedale Rumble takes to the road for the second time, again with the three route formula of its sister the White Rose Classic. This time however the scenery is the stunning North York Moors that offers a serious challenge to sportive enthusiasts along roads that are relatively free from traffic.

The compass swings to the East on the 1st August and in particular to Beverley. Victims of flooding last year that caused the loss of the National Road Race Championship the 'East Yorkshire Classic team' are back and with a National Championship! This time it's the National Circuit Race Championship to be held on the Friday evening. The compact circuit around the market square offers everything, cobbled sections, tight corners, great viewing and a superb atmosphere.

Why not use the Saturday to sample the tourist delights of the region as a stop- over for Sunday's East Yorkshire Classic. The British Cycling Premier Calendar Event is always tough and unpredictable. It could be a bunch sprint or it could be blown apart in the Yorkshire Wolds.

The Festival draws to a close on the 17th August with the hosting by the Sportscover Racing Team of the British Cycling National Over 40's Road Race Championships. Planned to be held at Ackworth in West Yorkshire the final course details have yet to be finalised.

With so many events being held there is a need for new volunteers particularly for the National Road Race Championships. To help out and get that close up view contact Bob Howden at: bobhowden@grasscrete.com

Events

8th June - White Rose Classic Sportive Otley - Yorkshire Dales - Otley

10th June - Brighouse Town Centre Races - British Cycling's National Circuit Race Series Brighouse

21st June - York Rally Grass Track Meeting York - Knavesmire

22nd June - Tom Simpson Junior Grand Prix - British Cycling's National Junior Road Race Series Harworth

26th June - Otley Town Centre Races - British Cycling's National Circuit Race Series Otley

28th June - British Cycling's National Road Race Championship - Elite and Under 23 Women Duncombe Park, Helmsley

29th June - British Cycling's National Road Race Championship - Elite and Under 23 Men Duncombe Park, Helmsley

27th July - Ryedale Rumble Sportive Ampleforth - North York Moors - Ampleforth

1st August - British Cycling's National Circuit Race Championship Beverley

3rd August - East Yorkshire Classic Road Race - British Cycling's Premier Calendar Series Beverley

17th August - British Cycling's National Over 40's Road Race Championship Ackworth

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