Bike race 'an incredible coup' for Shrewsbury
A national cycling race that will be held in Shrewsbury in the new year has been hailed as an "incredible" coup for the town.
Hotels in the town are running short of rooms due to the interest in the National Cyclo-cross Championships, which will be at Shrewsbury Sports Village on January 9 and 10.
Some of Britain's top riders will be among the 600 competitors, while huge crowds are expected to travel to the town to watch.
Organisers today said they were delighted at the response from across the country and said they were thrilled to have brought the event to the county town.
Race organiser Dave Mellor said: "It is incredible, I don't think Shrewsbury really knows the importance of it."
"We have had hotels telling us that they are pretty much full and wanting to know how they can get involved. There are going to be a lot of people coming."
Cyclo-cross has steadily grown in popularity in recent years and the 2016 championship will feature 600 competitors with some of the country's top riders lining up on the starting grid, including Liam Killeen, a professional mountain biker who has represented Great Britain at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
Mr Mellor said that the competition, which is being staged by Mid Shropshire Wheelers, had been awarded as recognition for their successful previous events.
He said: "Mid Shropshire Wheelers have organised national mountain bike and time trial competitions but this is the first time we have hosted a National Cyclo-cross Championship."
Mr Mellor encouraged people who have not seen the sport to go along. It involves riders tackling a three-kilometre grass and mud course over an hour – with regular bike changes required.
He said: "It's very exciting and it's not just a test of power and endurance, but a test of skill too."
Riders will compete in a number of categories, including junior, senior, and veteran sections, with the men's elite race taking place around 2.15pm on January 10. Entry is free.
