The Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic will go ahead in 2013, race organiser Colin Clews has confirmed.
The announcement comes two-and-a-half months after Clews admitted that the future of Britain’s longest-standing UCI one-day race was in jeopardy through lack of funding.
However, the 2013 edition (April 21) has secured sponsorship from Schwalbe tyres and Giant Store Rutland Water. In addition, Rutland County Council and Rutland Together have increased her financial support of the event.
“I firmly believe that we have created in Melton and Rutland a truly world class event which with proper support can see the very top teams in the sport racing on our roads within the next few years,” said Clews.
“In the newly found commercial sponsorship from and the Giant Store Rutland Water and Schwalbe, the race has found partners who share this aim and with whom we look forward to working to develop Rutland as the cycling county of Britain.”
Previous winners of the race include NetApp-Endura rider Zak Dempster and Team UK Youth’s Ian Wilkinson.