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Latest NewsCOMPETITION WINNER ANNOUNCED1st June 2010 Lincoln Grand Prix, in association with our sponsors County Conference & Events are delighted to announce that the winner of our bike competition was Michael Pickering from Leconfield in East Yorkshire Michael correctly answered b.)86 miles and wins a brand new road bike. Congratulations Michael, we hope you enjoy your new bike. ANOTHER CHANCE TO CATCH ALL THE ACTION20th May 2010 British Eurosport and British Eurosport 2 will be repeating their coverage of the 2010 Lincoln Grand Prix on numerous occasions over the coming week. The dates and times of the screenings are: British Eurosport:
British Eurosport 2:
EUROSPORT SCREENING14th May 2010 Coverage of the 2010 Lincoln Grand Prix will be shown on Eurosport 2 (Sky Channel 411, Virgin Media Channel 525) at 17:15 on Saturday May 15th, be sure to tune in to catch all of the action from this year's race CHRIS NEWTON WINS 2010 GRAND PRIX9th May 2010 As some five hundred people involved in either competing, support or organisation of this years Lincoln Grand Prix, offered a collective thank you to weather gods and took at early morning look at the sky, one Pendragon rider was heard to comment “you don't get this in Wales” of course he meant the fantastic Lincolnshire sunshine especially ordered for this years race. As the police and marshals moved the few remaining cars and other obstacles off the race circuit, the atmosphere up at the start at Yarborough Leisure Centre was hotting up nicely. The race itself got off to a reasonable trouble free start with one hundred and seventy six riders taking the start line. This years race once again had the usual great mix with European, local and international based riders taking the start along with three of the Sky Pro Cycling team, Russell Downing, Geraint Thomas and Ben Swift hoping to prove their metal. Russell was hoping to make it to the winning line in front a fourth time but his brother Dean riding for Rapha Condor Sharp who this year look a very strong team were going to do their best to see the one of their men over the line first. As the crowds began to build in the Castle Square finish line area the race swept past for the first of it's ten and a half circuits. The race this year had a slightly changed route, as the historic Bail Gate area of Lincoln's Cathedral Quarter is being restored and renovated, and goes out past the Lincoln Hotel and then back onto track as it comes once again down Yarborough road. The change of route also gave the organisers a chance to try a new location for the feeding station. This year it moved from it's usual Bail Gate area to Long Leys Road.. The atmosphere there was reminiscent of The Tour De France, with support vehicles, helpers and spectators lining both sides of the road. The slight rise up to the feed station was proving to be a popular spot for spectators and gave them a perfect opportunity to cheer on there favourites. The first man over the line, Russell Downing, with ten laps showing on the board came as no surprise to most people. He and his brother always receive a warm welcome and great support from the knowledgeable Lincoln crowd. Russell picked up the early points in the Brian Cossavella Michael Gate trophy and with seven laps to go the three riders in the Sky Pro team all had three points. An added spectacle this year was the Michael Gate youth races, giving the chance for local and visiting younger riders to race up the famous climb. The new event was well supported and organised and proved to be a great success and will hopefully feature in next years programme and perhaps, we might of seen a future winner of the race here today. With six laps to go the race proper was already strung out with a group of some eight riders with a small gap on the chasing peleton. Many were thinking, at this point, it was all over for the rest of the field. The group started to go away and it looked like they might get organised but some of the big names had missed the break and sent their team mates forward to try and bring the escapees back. By five laps to go some nine riders had pulled out a lead of forty five seconds but it was short lived with many riders moving forward to the front of the race before dropping back again into the peleton. As the race hit the two hour mark some thirty riders were told to call it a day and were flagged for there last lap, with good weather the pace had been high from the start and they had quickly found that the Lincoln Grand Prix is not very forgiving on the unprepared. Over the line first with three to go were Alex Wetterhall of team Sprocket, Chris Newton of Rapha and Kit Gilham of Sigma sport. Who all gained good points in the Michael Gate competition. As the race started to sort its self out the strong men were coming to the front. It had come down to a group of some seventeen riders. Most of the favourites were there with a few small groups of two or three riders making a temporary pact and working to get themselves back into contention Russell Downing, Kristian House the winner from 2006 and Malcolm Elliott briefly found themselves working as a team to bridge the gap to the breakaway and not many would of placed a bet against them making the connection. So with two laps to go it was a group of Twenty Two riders at the front any of whom had a decent chance of winning. Amongst then were Alex Wetterhall riding for Team Sprocket who had already put in a big effort to gain points in the Michael Gate competition, Kit Gilham, Zak Dempster, Simon Richardson and the aptly named Jack Bauer from Endura Racing. With that big of a group it would be down to a few individuals to try and get away putting in a final show a brute strength and commitment. The first man off the front was Dean Downing who managed to gain a few seconds advantage but maybe this would not be his year and the chasing riders couldn't afford to let him go so expended vital energy chasing him back. With one to go it was a classic one two from Rapha, who had lost Tom Southam earlier in the race to what was to turn out to be the only real incident this year. The big man of the race Chris 'Junior' Newton, the third placed man from last year had come to the fore with the Team Ireland rider Philip Lavery showing his skill and strength hanging onto Chris's back wheel. Philip still only eighteen and the recent winner of the tour of Ulster had ridden the race very sensibly and had taken advantage to the opportunities to save precious energy. There was then a small gap back to the hard working chasers. It would take a final lap to sort it out, with Newton and Lavery showing the way. The Downing brothers had been contained and it looked like this year Dean, riding for Rapha Condor, had perhaps used his strength to help out his team mate Chris Newton. The crowds now in the Castle Square area had almost doubled in size as spectators had made their way to the finish line to cheer their favourites home. Nearly three and a half hours of racing had come down to a final few minutes and as the crowd strained their necks to look around the corner and try and catch a first look at this years winner they could hear the roar of the spectators further down the hill. The winner of course was Chris Newton the winner from ten years ago, he had managed to shake Lavery on the run in. A commendable finish from the young Team Ireland rider. Simon Richardson of Sigma Sport came in just in front of the rest of best after making a sterling effort to take third. The depth and strength of the excellent Rapha Condor team proved too much for the sky Pro Cyling team of Russell Downing, who while adding a extra draw for the crowds were using the race more for preparation for their coming summer campaign. The Brian Cossavella Michael Gate trophy was finally won by Chris Newton who has always been hear the front, Alex Wetterhall was second and Dean Downing by dint of earlier effort was third. If you didn't manage to get over to Lincoln for this years event you missed out on a fantastic race, bright Lincolnshire sunshine, and certainly one of Britain's favourite one day races. EVERYTHING IN PLACE30th April 2010 The massive jigsaw of pieces that make up a complex event like the Lincoln Grand Prix are all now in place and the resulting picture promises another exciting episode of this popular race through the streets of Lincoln and surrounding countryside. The country's major teams are all in the line up with opposition from the Irish national team and professional teams from Sweden and Holland. The race also features three riders from Team Sky who have been given dispensation to compete in the race which brings three times winner Russell Downing back to Lincoln to go for a record fourth win. The race finish area in Lincoln's Castle Square is enhanced this year with the Lincolnshire Farmers' Market, British Cycling's WATT bikes for people to measure their fitness levels, fruit and drinks stalls, bits and bobs for bikes and displays from the Lincolnshire Sports Partnership. A new additional race for the first time is the Michaelgate Challenge for under 16's featuring a rapid fire handicap and a mass start climb of the famous 1 in 6 cobbled hill and dash to the finish line. We could see a future champion taking the honours here. The support from the the University of Lincoln and the Bishops Grosseteste College has also brought volunteer assistance from students who will be carrying out stewarding and crowd control on the day. This adds to those from the Velo Club Lincoln and the large staff of accredited stewards looking after the many junctions around the eight mile circuit. Major junctions also have police assistance with five police motorbikes and four National Escort Group members also there to ensure the safety of the competitors and general public. The sunny weather of 2009 brought out the crowds in their thousands to the event and given a repeat of this similar numbers are expected this year. Eurosport will again feature the race and this year have the added pictures from the air with a specially equipped helicopter to add some spectacular shots of the City as the race weaves its way through its historic areas. The race assembles and starts from Lincoln's Yarborough Leisure Centre at 10 am and is expected to finish in the Castle Square after 11 laps at around 1.30 pm. The event web site has been getting a large daily hit count and full details of the riders, the course, prizes, race history and all else you need to know is at www.lincolngrandprix.org.uk where you can also enter a competition to win a brand new road bike. BUMPER ENTRY LIST CONFIRMED15th April 2010 Entries for the 2010 Lincoln Grand Prix closed this week and an impressive list of 200 riders from both home and away are scheduled to start the 86 mile race on Sunday, May 9th. Riding as Number1 for the third time will be the race winner in 2005, 2008 and 2009 Russell Downing who will be going all out for a record fourth win in this prestigious and popular event. Russell is now a member of the ambitious Team Sky who have future glory in the Tour de France as their objective. Russell will be joined on the start line by team mates Olympic gold medallist Geraint Thomas, who was listed to start the Grand Prix last year but was sidelined by illness, Ben Swift now enjoying his second year as a professional rider and talented youngster and past junior world champion Peter Kennaugh from the Isle of Man. They will not be having it all their own way as all 43 riders currently listed with points on British Cycling's Premier Calendar Competition are entered currently led by Endura Racing's Ian Wilkinson (second in the 2009 Grand Prix) and Jack Bauer and Rapha Condor Sharp's Chris Newton (third last year). Beijing medallist Chris is a former winner of the Grand Prix back in 2000 and recently showed his form in the World Track Championships in Copenhagen where he narrowly missed out on medal positions. There's lots of opposition from overseas with an Irish national team containing 2005 Grand Prix winner David O'Loughlin and Philip Lavery the winner of the Easter 4 Day tour of the North in Northern Ireland. Team Sprocket are here for the second year and have already scored points in the Premier League with Niklas Gustavsson and Guernsey rider Tobyn Horton in high positions in the season opener Tour of the Reservoir. Regular friends of the Grand Prix, Ruiter Dakapellen from the Netherlands return to Lincoln this year as a team of six riders, five of which are in the Under 23 category award supported by race main sponsor County Conferences and Events. The international flavour does not stop there as many of the teams have foreign riders in their line ups with names from France, New Zealand, Australia, Germany and Jamaica all in the mix. The latter is Marloe Rodman, the current Jamaica National Road Champion riding in the Science in Sport team. Other previous winners in the line up are evergreen Malcolm Elliott who won way back in 1983 but is always up there at the front on the cobbles, Kristian House (2006), Dean Downing (2007) and John Tanner (1997 and 2001) There are so many likely contenders in the line up who could take home the winner's prize, it's hard to pick one out but well worthy of a mention is another Beijing medallist Motorpoint Marshalls Pasta rider Ed Clancy. Ed recently won the difficult new Omnium World Championship in Copenhagen and could be a man on form. The race again features the Brian Cossavella Michaelgate Trophy sponsored by Universal Cycle Centre. This trophy, in memory of a well know race organiser and regular official at the Grand Prix, is won on points for the first three riders crossing the finish line each lap and has been carried off by Russell Downing along with the victor's spoils in both 2008 and 2009. Another competition within the race is for the highest placed rider from major sponsor east midlands development agency's area of Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland. The race is one of the City of Lincoln's main sporting events and this year also has the support of the University of Lincoln along with lots of local sponsors and businesses without whose support this great race would not be possible. Television will again be at the race with Eurosport coverage augmented by exciting new helicopter shots over the City and surrounding countryside. The 55th Lincoln Grand Prix starts at 10 am and covers 11 laps of the 8 mile circuit based in Lincoln's popular tourist areas with the finish taking place under the shadow of the Cathedral and Castle after the 11th climb of the notorious 1 in 6 cobbled climb of Michaelgate. RUSSELL DOWNING RETURNS TO LINCOLN GRAND PRIX11th April 2010 Larry Hickmott of British Cycling talks to Russell Dowing, Sky Pro Cycling Team A three time winner already in the Lincoln Grand Prix, Rotherham’s Russell Downing is planning on returning to the event in 2010 during a break in his Sky Pro team commitments in Europe. Russell is one of four Sky team riders who are on the entry list so far for this year’s race, the 55th year the event has been run. Whilst the Sky team riders are aware that things can change in their programme and they may get drafted into other races should injury or illness strike the team, Russell is looking forward to returning to Lincoln if all goes well. With Team Sky having made a big impact already on the pro scene in Europe with wins in top races like Paris Nice, Het Nieuwsblad and Criterium International, the Sky team riders are sure to add more glamour to the Lincoln GP, a race that is already for many riders, the best event in the country. The other Sky riders entered for the race include another rider from Rotherham, Ben Swift, Welsh sensation Geraint Thomas and the Isle of Man’s new pocket rocket, Peter Kennaugh. “It’s going to be great especially if the weather is good!” says Russell. “The Lincoln is a great race and if there is one race I could do all year, then it would be the Lincoln -- always.” Russell Downing has been one of Team Sky's busiest riders since the start of the season. As well as helping the team to stage victories in both the Tour Down Under and Tour of Qatar, he also claimed two top-10 finishes at the Tour of Murcia. But far from complaining about the amount of domestique work he does, Downing has been more than happy to do his bit and is relishing the prospect of an equally busy summer ahead. "I have absolutely no qualms about the amount of racing I've been doing. I have been working for a lot of the guys in the team this year but have also had my chances. I had one in Mercia and didn’t quite time it right in the sprint and was trapped on the barriers. I was pretty miffed at that because I know I won’t get that many chances throughout the year. Whilst I was beating myself up over that, I knew we always had Criterium International pencilled in and me going there as the sprinter for the sprint stage. To win that was amazing.” “When we started out in Oz, I was quite nervous but now the results are coming and the team is getting better and better. A lot of people have said I should have been there (in a pro team) years ago and maybe they’re right, but I’m here now so no worries." When asked how riding the Lincoln will compare to having done these top classic pro races in Europe, Russell replied “I think Lincoln is right up there with these great races. The atmosphere is just amazing especially when I have the local support I have.” Asked if the racing in Europe is simply different rather than harder to what he had when racing here in Britain, Russell replied “It is different for sure. It isn’t as if I go into a pro race and think I can’t do this or that, it’s more having to go and do it the next day and then the next; that’s the big difference. At the start of the year it felt a bit weird but within a month, it felt quite normal and I started to enjoy it more." Russell admits he has seen a change in the way the team is treated by the other teams since Sky’s first race in Australia in January. “As soon as we started winning, we’d get to the front and the other teams knew we could do the job. At Het Nieuwsblad (Het Volk) I was on the front with Kevin Hulsmans for like 100k swapping turns and then Flecha went and won. Afterwards he was really grateful and that leaves you with a great feeling”. Classic races The Lincoln Grand Prix however is still a month away and Russell has plenty of racing left starting with the 1.1 ranked De Brabantse Pijl next Wednesday followed by the classic ProTour race, Amstel Gold where a former teammate and training partner of his, Malcolm Elliott was on the podium many years ago. Russell assures us he’ll be getting some tips from the great man who was his teammate at CandiTV last year. Russell is also down to do the Tour of Romandy in Switzerland prior to the Lincoln but he never forgets where he’s from and regularly comes home to Rotherham for blocks of training or recovery between races. His training now is controlled by the team's coaches such as Rod Ellingworth and Russell explained that if his programme doesn’t fit in with what the chain gang at home is doing, then he goes out solo. He recalls one such ride he did before the Criterium International, a ride that took seven hours. That amount of time on the bike is nothing usual for professionals at this level especially with races like Amstel Gold being 260 kilometres. The Lincoln Grand Prix at only 138 kilometres will seem like a sprint! MAIN SPONSORS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2010 LINCOLN GRAND PRIX1st March 2010 The Lincoln Grand Prix is pleased to announce its main sponsors for the 55th Annual Cycle Race Classic. These will be led by County Conference & Events, www.countyconference.co.uk an East Midlands based conference and banqueting centre, which replaces last year’s title sponsor, Abstraction. County Conference & Events is located at Notts County Football Club in Nottingham, and is now owned by Lincoln businessman Ray Trew, who also owns Abstraction. Ray Trew said: “While we were keen to continue supporting the Lincoln Grand Prix, we felt it would be more beneficial for our businesses that the sponsorship promotes County Conference & Events. This has a wide range of facilities for both businesses and members of the public to hold events, is just an hour away from Lincoln, and can be easily accessed by the whole of the East Midlands region. We wish this year’s Grand Prix the best of luck and look forward to playing a part in its ongoing success.” The East Midlands Development Agency (emda) continue their support of the event and will be there on the day taking a particular interest in not only the 86 mile Grand Prix but also in the extra events being put on by British Cycling and the Velo Club Lincoln for youngsters and the general public. These include massed start hill climbs on the 1 in 6 cobbled Michaelgate and static WATT training bikes, the latter featuring an Inter-schools competition as well as 'Have a Go' sessions for the public. Tracy Croft, East Midlands Co-ordinator for the 2012 Games said 'emda is delighted to be continuing our support of the Lincoln Grand Prix. The event builds on the strong cycling heritage we have in the region and also helps raise our international profile by Championing the East Midlands in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The event also makes a significant contribution to the regional economy, especially for small businesses situated on the course, by attracting UK and international visitors into Lincolnshire and the East Midlands region' The event is high on the agenda for the City of Lincoln Council whose annual support and enthusiasm has allowed the race to go from strength to strength and with the support of Lincolnshire County Council and Lincolnshire Police assists the race organisation to provide a safe course for the 200 strong field of top class riders. New sponsorship this year comes from the University of Lincoln, linking its 10,000 students to the City's major sporting event. The University has a high profile sports department and volunteers from the students will be assisting the race organisation on the day. Supporting sponsorship and assistance comes from British Cycling, Chattertons Solicitors, Jackson Building Centres, Marshall Land Rover, NatWest Bank, Universal Cycle Centre, Lindum Group, Impsport, Lincolnshire Co-operative Society, Lincolnshire Sports Partnership and Danwoods. Entries for the May 9th event are starting to be compiled and the new race web site at www.lincolngrandprix.org.uk is the place to look for all race information. EXTRA EVENTS AT THE LINCOLN GRAND PRIX24th February 2010 The 2010 Lincoln Grand Prix will have added interest this year with massed start hill climb events for youth category riders. These will take place on the cobbled 1 in 6 Michaelgate climb with races scheduled between the early laps of the classic 86 mile event. To be called The Michaelgate Challenge these should be an exciting dash for the finish line with races for Boys Under 14 and Under 16, a combined Girls Under 14 and Under 16 and an Open Under 16 Race. The events will be limited to a maximum of 20 riders in each event and preference will be given to riders from the East Midlands Region with others having the option of an Open event. Also taking place in the Castle Square finish area will be the British Cycling/Velo Club Lincoln Inter-school Challenge using WATT static training bikes. There will also be machines available for the public to have a go using these sophisticated modern training devices. The Lincolnshire Sports Partnership will also have information areas with full details of sports opportunities in the County. This will be backed up with information from the East Midlands Development Agency on events in the region. UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN BECOMES A LINCOLN GRAND PRIX SPONSOR9th February 2010 Lincoln's popular and fast growing University has joined forces with The Lincoln Grand Prix and become one of the race's major sponsors. The link between the race and the University highlights both the importance of the race on the City's calendar but also the work being done by the University in the field of sport. The University of Lincoln is a major supporter of sport in Lincolnshire with numerous Sports-related study programmes at the University of Lincoln. These include: Sport and Exercise Science, Sport Development and Coaching, Sports Business Management, Sports Marketing, Sports Tourism Management, Equine Sports Science, Golf Science and Development. The University is also a sponsor of Lincoln City Football Club with its logo appearing on the team's away strip. Head of University Marketing, Richard Huthwaite who negotiated the arrangement on behalf of the University says ' that as a major supporter of sport in Lincolnshire, the University of Lincoln is very proud to sponsor the 55th Lincoln Grand Prix - one celebrated institution supporting another! The University wishes all the riders, teams, spectators and the organisation the best of luck for what is sure to be another exciting race' Robin Wright, the Director of Sport at the University added ' this newly created partnership with Lincoln Grand Prix, highlights the University's commitment to work alongside the sporting community of Lincolnshire and support the aspiring level of excellence of this event nationally. Shortly the University of Lincoln will be opening an extension to its existing Human Performance Centre for sports performance enhancement to elite level; within the Centre there is already a focus on cycling performance development' Race Organiser, Ian Emmerson who was honoured by the University last November with a Honorary Degree of a Doctor of Science welcomed the support of the University for the polular one day classic event. 'This support from the City's fast growing University links the event with the 10,000 students on the Campus and will ensure that the race goes from strength to stength as Lincoln's major international sporting fixture. The work being done by the University in the many aspects of sports science and management will be of enormous benefit to our current and future athletes' The race is on May 9th starting at 10 am and finishing in Lincoln's Castle Square after 11 laps of the 8 mile circuit at 1.30 pm. For more information on The University of Lincoln, please visit www.lincoln.ac.uk NEW WEB SITE LAUNCHED5th February 2010 Welcome to our revamped web site on which we hope to bring you all the race information, before, during and after the race on May 9th. Before, we will keep you updated on the entry list with information on foreign teams taking on the challenges set by our home grown and very strong teams and individuals.The site will also highlight the press releases on sponsorship and final arrangements as they happen. During the race we hope to be able to bring a lap by lap commentary plus the full results and pictures as usual. Afterwards we will be pleased to get your comments via our 'contact us' page and bring you all the advance planning for the 2011 race. But there is no need to wait until after the race, let us have your comments and suggestions as we work towards another great race. |
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© Lincoln Grand Prix 2010 All images courtesy of Larry Hickmott, British Cycling |