Graham Briggs rejoins Rapha Condor JLT for 2014

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Former National Criterium champion Graham Briggs will return to Rapha Condor JLT following two years riding for Team Raleigh.

The 30-year-old spent three seasons with Rapha Condor Sharp between 2008-2011 and decided that a return to John Herety's team would be the best move for 2014.

Alongside the likes of Ed Clancy and Felix English, Briggs' arrival should herald a fearsome line-up for the crits.

"We have a really strong Tour Series team and I know that I'll fit in right away," he said. "There's no reason why we can't win that series with the team that we'll have."

Briggs said he also hopes to use his experience and play a part in the development of the young riders on the team.

"I benefitted a lot from older riders passing their experience on to me when I was younger," he added. "I think that I am in the right stage of my career to do it now too."

Junior race for the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic

To mark the tenth edition of the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic, the 2014 event will feature a full Junior Men's race.

The new 92-kilometre event will be staged on the same day as the elite race (Sunday April 27), but will cover an entirely different route, including off road sectors.

Full details are yet to be formalised, but plans include the new race starting and finishing in the town centre of Oakham.

Organisers have requested for the junior race to be included in British Cycling's National Junior Road Series for 2014.

The elite race has retained its UCI 1.2 category status and was won in 2013 by Ian Wilkinson (below) of Team UK Youth.

VeloJam is back for 2013

The AnaNichoola VeloJam, the only women's track event in the country to include categorised racing, will be held at Herne Hill Velodrome tomorrow [Saturday 5].

The inaugural edition took place in 2012 and this year racing will take place under the velodrome's new floodlights and offers free entry to spectators.

Over £1000 in cash prizes will be available on the night, as well as other product prizes up for grabs.

There will be events for every lady all the way up from non-licence holding Go Riders to A category professional riders.

The Madison will be a mixed pairs race, and last-minute entries from men for this event are encouraged.

Entries are £15 in advance and £20 on the day. To enter and for more details of the event, click here.

Tickets available for the Scottish Cycling National Track Championships

Tickets are now on sale for the Scottish Cycling National Track Championships which take place at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome this month (October 11-13 and October 27).

Many of the Scottish performance athletes will be looking to set qualification standards for next year's Commonwealth Games, which will be held in the same arena.

Craig Burn, chief executive of Scottish Cycling, hopes that the next generation of Scottish cyclists will shine at the event.

"We are hoping we might even see the stars of the future begin their winning careers at this year's championships," he said.

Tickets can be purchased from Glasgow Concert Hall or by calling 0141 353 8000. Prices for adults start from £6.

The 2014 Tour Series to conclude in the Channel Islands

The Pearl Izumi Tour Series will make its debut in the Channel Islands next year as Jersey will host the final round on June 13.

The team-based series will take place over ten races during midweek evenings between May 13 and June 13, and once again, highlights will be shown on ITV4 the following evening.

2014 Pearl Izumi Tour Series

Round One -Tuesday 13 May

Round Two - Thursday 15 May

Round Three - Tuesday 20 May

Round Four - Thursday 22 May

Round Five - Tuesday 27 May

Round Six - Thursday 29 May

Round Seven - Tuesday 3 June

Round Eight - Thursday 5 June

Round Nine - Tuesday 10 June

Round Ten, Jersey - Friday 13 June

Epic Cycles-Scott Contessa announce 2014 line-up

National junior road race champion Anna Christian will head up Epic Cycles-Scott Contessa Women's Racing Team for the 2014 season.

The 18-year-old Isle of Man rider has been joined by riders such as Karla Boddy (below) and Hannah Walker after clinching the July event for Scott Contessa Epic RT in North Yorkshire.

Christian is one of only two riders to continue with the team as eight changes are made to the 2013 line-up.

The team has been incredibly successful since its formation in 2012 and has won races across Europe, including the UK National Team series and numerous medals at the British, European and World Championships.

For information on sponsorship and promotional opportunities email race.team@epic-cycles.co.uk

Epic Cycles-Scott Contessa WRT 2014 squad

Karla Boddy (2013 team: MG Maxifuel)

Melissa Brand (MG Maxifuel)

Anna Christian (Scott Contessa Epic RT)

Alex Greenfield (Cardiff Ajax CC)

Elle Hopkins (Breast Cancer Care CT)

Emily Kay (Scott Contessa Epic RT)

Laura Massey (Abergavenny RC)

Alexie Shaw (Les Filles RT)

Hannah Walker (Matrix Fitness Racing Academy)

Molly Weaver (Breast Cancer Care CT)

Raleigh's cyclo-cross Rider Scheme signs up four British Youngsters

National U14 cyclocross champion Harry Yates is one of four British riders benefiting from Raleigh's new cyclo-cross rider scheme.

The programme has been set up to support young riders and equip them with the latest bike and clothing for the season ahead.

Yates is joined by Dylan Kerfoot-Robson, Nick Barnes and Joe Atkins in receiving Raleigh's state-of-the-art carbon Raleigh RX Race cyclocross bike.

Geoff Giddings, Raleigh's marketing director and former veteran cyclocross champion said the company wanted to make a statement of their intent to make a big impact on the thriving UK cyclocross scene.

Giddings added: "Grassroots rider and event support is at the heart of our marketing drive and we were overwhelmed by the number of high quality applicants to our cyclocross scheme.

"Having met these four young riders I am delighted to have chosen four very professional and talented young men for the scheme. I can't wait to see what they are capable of doing this season with our support."

UltraBike for cyclists with sight loss on show at Science Museum

An ultrasound sensor kit enabling people with visual impairments to ride a bicycle is part of a new exhibition at the London Science Museum.

The UltraBike unit, which is detachable and fits onto the handlebars of any bike is part of the Antenna gallery display highlighting innovative engineering that transforms lives.

The unit's sensors give the rider constant directional feedback of obstacles ahead and at each side, via vibrating buttons positioned underneath each thumb.

Despite their visual impairment, this technology enables cyclists who are blind or visually impaired to negotiate their way safely and independently along a controlled cycle track.

Designer Dr Paul Clark commented on how the technology is being developed further and in particular for the use of track riding.

"The UltraBike is designed for use in a supervised and controlled environment and has great potential for use in sport and velodrome settings in particular. We are now looking at specific enhancements to the technology for this purpose."

For details of the exhibition click here.

 

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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.