Sutton crit

[Sylv]

Is anyone going (to watch or race)? I might just watch but it should still be good.

[quote]Next Sunday (29th), cycle racing will return to Sutton Town Centre after a few years gap. The excitement of closed circuit racing, on a short, tight and demanding circuit will be the highlight of the day as we celebrate the last day of Le Tour de France and the English involvement in this great race. To help add to the atmosphere, the Tour de France Roadshow bus will be in the High Street all day.

The race circuit will be up Sutton High Street, left into Throwley Road, left down Throwley Way , left into Lodge Place and left again into the High Street. One lap is 0.85 km. (Entry for the races will still be possible on the day and those without a Racing Licence can buy a day licence.)

There will be Youth races throughout the morning, starting at 10:00am with the Under 8/10s through to the Under 16s at 11:45am. At 1:00pm, there will be, by special request, a Councillors’ Race, followed by a Unicycle Sprint Competition.

The main event, at 1:45pm, will be the Women’s Cycle Racing Association National Circuit Race Championship, which is also a round of the British Cycling National Women’s Circuit Race Series, so we will have the top women in the country racing in Sutton.

The Surrey Cycle Racing League have selected entrants for the Men’s Elite/1st Category/2nd Category Invitation Race at 3:45 pm. The final race, at 4:15pm, will be for 3rd & 4th Category Men.

Race Programme
- 1 U8/U10 (Youth E/D) Race 10.00 4 laps
- 2 U12 (Youth C) Race 10.30 6 laps
- 3 U14 (Youth B) Race 11.00 10 laps
- 4 U16 (Youth A) Race 11.45 45 mins + 2 laps
- 5 Councillors Race 13.00 10 minutes
- 6 Unicycle Sprint Competition 13.15 10 minutes
- 7 WCRA National Championships &
BC National Reynolds/Michelin Women’s Road Race Series (Rd 7) 13.45 1 hour + 2 laps
- 8 Men’s E/1/2 Invitation Criterium 15.45 30 mins + 2 laps
- 9 Men’s 3/4 Criterium 16.15 30 mins + 2 laps

Festival
In Manor Park, adjacent to the course, will be "Move it at the Manor," a Festival celebrating all modes of green travel, with live music, circus skills, a bicycle try-out area featuring British Cycling’s Go- Ride skills tests, and radical demonstrations of cycling skills with Extreme Cycling.

There is something for everyone so come and spend a day in Sutton, and don’t forget the shops are open!

Contact
Steve Wright - steve@sgcyclery.com

[Jonathan B]

I was thinking of going to watch this and wondering if there would be anyone to cheer on.

[Sylv]

[quote]The Surrey Cycle Racing League have selected entrants for the Men’s Elite/1st Category/2nd Category Invitation Race

[Andrew G]

Hmmm a Sunday afternoon, tempting. Might have a go at this as a change from getting a kicking at Palace. Same result, different surroundings.

Any other Palace 3/4s fancy it?

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

If you think Palace is tough, this is much worse. I rode it a few years ago, adn there is no respite from the constant climb up to the finish. Good luck. I'm going over there to watch after my efforts in the 25 on the F1.

[Andrew G]

I find everywhere tough Paul.

I think I'll probably have a go as it will make a bit of a change. Marco said last night that it was basically just like doing a repetative hill climb.

Hopefully this might mean that there'll be a few more shelled out to keep me company though.

What's the form with these Paul. It's EOL, but how early do you need to get there to sign in, pay up etc?

I'll ride over to watch some of the earlier races too so what's the plan re an Agreeable ride over for any others watching, or hopefully keeping me company (on the start line anyway ).

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

With crits, EOL is pretty easy. Usually closes 30 mins before, as there is no restriction on numbers, but best to get in early if you can.

[Andrew G]

Cheers Paul. Should be there well in advance as I want to watch the National women's race - twice as long as the E/1/2s!!!

[Steve B]

Andrew, I may join you on sunday, depending on situation at home. I live about 1 mile away from town centre so I might be able to persuad the family to come and watch me suffer and get dropped up the hill

Is it definately entry on the line for the 3/4's?

Steve

I've just looked at the route - mmm, I'm not going to like that short sharp hill. Thats going to hurt

[Andrew G]

Hope to see you there Steve.

They're still advertising as EOL and Paul T says that the crits have an unlimited field which if that's so then I can't see how they can have pre-entry.

I gmap-ed the route, looked at the profile and thought oh ****! As Marco says the atmosphere should be good so I'm doing it for that. I like the idea of everyone getting shelled, nobody will know how far off the back I am.

[Sylv]

I wish I was still a third as the more I read about it the more it sounds like fun

Go on Steve, not often you'll get to race cheered by family and a big crowd.

Not sure about keeping going all the way though, at Guilford they pulled lapped riders pretty soon and having started around 40 we finished at 6.

[Andrew G]

Have emailed the organiser to check EOL, price, and wet racing. Reply as follows:
[quote]Andrew,

There is EOL for the 3/4, get an entry form emailed today and you will only have to pay £10 on Sunday. We will race regardless of the weather, but subject to agreement with the Race Judge and Commissaire, and the severity of the rain. Hope you will come along Sunday,

Steve

[Steve B]

I'll probably ride over early, sign on and go back home. See you there!

Steve

[Andrew G]

Entry in advance is preferred with standard BC entry form, pay on the day but pre-entry will help them.

Form is at [url]http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/roa/road_entry_forms.asp[/url]

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

[quote]I can't see how they can have pre-entry.