National 'cross champs postponed

The National cyclo-cross Championships due to take place in Sutton Park, Birmingham, this weekend [January 9-10] have been postponed due to the adverse weather conditions.

Icy roads surrounding Sutton Park have made the whole area unpassable for the lorries needed to transport barriers, gantries and other race infrastructure onto the circuit. With access for competitors, spectators and emergency services also severely affected, the Cyclo-Cross Commission has postponed the event following consultation with Birmingham City Council Safety Advisory Group, event organisers and suppliers of the event services.

A statement issued by the Cyclo-Cross Commission read: "At this time it is agreed by all parties that, whilst the course itself may well be capable of holding the racing events, the access roads into the parks have some very serious problems due to ice and snow conditions, and the forecasts for sub-zero temperatures and more heavy snow on Sunday leave little choice."     

A new date has been set of February 6-7 at the same venue. Next weekend sees the final National trophy round at Rutland Water, with the World Masters Championships in Mol and World Cup in Hoogerheide the following week, then the World Championships in Tabor at the end of the month.

The possibility of running the championships at Rutland Water next week was discussed, but with similar weather conditions affecting the Rutland area and more snow forecast this week, the decision was taken to move to the next available weekend in February.  

Steve Grimwood, Chief Commissaire for the championships and Cyclo-Cross Commission member, was keen to stress that Birmingham City Council had done its utmost to keep the championships running. "Birmingham Council have been absolutely fantastic all the way along. They arranged specially to have staff and extra gritters on hand, but it is purely a matter of public safety and resources. The fact that they have been willing to re-arrange the new date so quickly has been a big help," he said.

All programme details for the championships will remain the same and entries will be carried forward to the revised date.

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National 'cross champs in jeopardy