2014 Dare 2b Festival of Cycling at Harewood House
Following the launch of the 2014 Tour de France route on Wednesday, the countdown to Yorkshire's Grand Depart is on.
To celebrate the world's biggest cycle race coming to Yorkshire, a special Festival of Cycling is to be held over July 4-6 at Harewood House.
The Tour peloton will be passing through the grounds of the great house on July 5, with the riders stopping outside the house for a brief spell before racing towards Harrogate.
The Festival will offer an array of entertainment, shopping, hospitality and cycling participation events, as well as big screens to watch the UK stages of the Tour unfold.
There will also be space for 50,000 people to camp in the grounds, as well as unlimited parking.
Tickets for the Festival will go on sale in the first few days November and more information can be found on their website:
http://www.festivalofcycling.org/
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
UK Youth and NFTO team updates
It's an autumn of contrasting fortunes for two of the UK's continental teams.
Whilst Team UK Youth are on the brink of folding, new boys NFTO are assembling their squad for next season.
Time appears to be running out for UK Youth to find a new sponsor, after owner Nigel Mansell announced that the charity could no longer afford to remain as the sole sponsor of the team.
Four of the team's riders have found homes for next season, with James Lowsley-Williams, Jonathan Mould and Joshua Hunt signing for NFTO, while Chris Opie joins Rapha Condor-JLT.
However, the UK's number one ranked rider in 2013, Yanto Barker, remains in limbo.
NFTO on the other hand are strengthening their criterium squad for the 2014 season.
BMC's Adam Blythe joins the Downing brothers, Russell and Dean, as well as Lowsley-Williams and postman Ryan Bevis, who booked his place on the team this week.
One of the biggest coupes for the new team, however, is the signing of former Team Sky man Sean Yates as director sportif, and NFTO also joined up with Trainsharp to get them in racing shape for the new season.
Team UK Youth's Yanto Barker
The hill-climb climax
With the National Championships being held this Sunday, the hill-climbing season is winding down for another year.
There are still, however, a handful of races being held across the country over the next few weeks to send you contently into the winter.
The students will be out in force on Saturday October 26 for the British University and College Sport (BUCS) championship in Curbar, Derbyshire, with action kicking off at 12.15.
Jake Hales of the University of Bedfordshire is the last rider off for the Southern division at 2.45, whilst Andy Nichols of the University of Sheffield is the last man off in the Northern division at 5.15.
On November 3, Dorking and Redhill CC are debuting their innovative new hill-climbing format at Denbies Vineyard, which overlooks Box Hill.
The elimination event is split over multiple rounds, the first of which being a traditional hill climb, with the top 16 riders progressing to the second round.
Round two will be a head-to-head race up the hill, with all of the riders setting off at the same time, with the winner of each heat going through again until an eventual winner is found.
Also on November 3, CC Sudbury host their annual climb near Semer, starting at 11am. The organizers are hoping to have closed-road racing again this year to avoid problematic horse-box delays.
Rapha Condor JLT announce their 2014 squad
Rapha Condor JLT have announced three new signings for the 2014 season including Chris Opie, two-time winner at the 2012 Tour Series.
The 26-year-old has signed from Team UK Youth and is joined by Tom Moses at the Men In Black alongside promoted junior Jack Sadler.
Team Manager John Herety feels that the three new acquisitions will fit nicely within the squad and that Opie in particular has the ability to compete at international level next season.
"These riders fit in very well with the ambition of this team and our overall focus on the development of talented riders," he said.
"Chris has proved that he knows what it takes to win domestically this season and I also believe that he has the potential to step up to winning internationally next season."
Moses is another rider who has impressed Herety after a successful season with Raleigh this year.
"Tom is a rider that we've seen this year win at the highest national level," added Herety.
"He was part of the GB academy in 2012, so his talent has already been identified, and I am sure that as a team we will be able to provide him with a platform to perform at a much higher level next year."
The complete 2014 team roster:
Graham Briggs
Hugh Carthy
Ed Clancy
Mike Cuming
Felix English
Luke Grivell Mellor
Richard Handley
Kristian House
Ed Laverack
Tom Moses
Chris Opie
Elliott Porter
Jack Sadler
Will Stephenson
Rapha Super Cross hits London
The 2013 Rapha Super Cross Series concludes this Sunday at London's Alexandra Palace with another day of foam based cycling fun.
Things kick off at 10.30am with the U10 race building up to the Elites at 13.45pm and the Fun Race at 3.30pm.
Obstacles such as the ‘Spiral of Doom', the ‘Tequila Shortcut' and the ‘Wall of Foam' await the Fun Race riders in this mud-filled event.
Entry for spectators is free and they'll be treated to live music, Belgium beer, waffles and chips as well as drumming up the atmosphere with hundreds of cow bells.
In the Elite racing, Paul Oldham comes to London fresh off the back of victories in Skipton and Manchester last weekend.
Oldham will be looking to lead Hope Factory Racing to their third consecutive elite team crown after triumphs in 2011 and 2012.
For the women, Annie Simpson is expected to feature highly in the women's event again after also scooping a double win last week.
For more information see the Rapha website
Also in the news this week
British Cycling call for perspective in Surrey cycling debate The only way is Essex for third stage of Tour
DfT cycle safety campaign launced in five cities
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
Wahoo slashes prices on Amazon Prime Day, with up to 27% off on top-rated turbo trainers and accessories
Amazon Prime Days are upon us, and Wahoo has discounts across the range. Including 15% off the KICKR Snap and all the accessories, you need to start training indoors this winter.
By Matt Ischt-Barnard Published
-
Shokz OpenRun Pros have a massive 31% off for Amazon Prime Day 2024
Deals Amazon slashes prices on Shokz range of innovative open-ear headphones including its highly rated OpenRun Pros
By Paul Brett Published