Top cycling race returning to Shrewsbury

The Shrewsbury Cycle Grand Prix will take place on May 25 next year with the full backing of British Cycling.

Organisers, the Shropshire-based Paramount Cycling Racing Team, today unveiled details of the Crit racing event which will include the closure of roads through part of the town centre

Race organiser Ben Lawrence said: "This is a real coup for Shrewsbury and will certainly give the business economy a welcome boost.

"It is hoped thousands of people will travel to the town over the bank holiday weekend for the first event of its kind in 20 years and will no doubt be staying in town hotels, shopping and using the local services.

"It has taken many months of organising but it is going to be a fantastic, family day and as cycling is so prominent at the moment perhaps we'll be able to spot some of Shropshire's rising sports stars."

Mr Lawrence said each race would have 50 competitors taking to the course and there would be some "great competition and argy bargy on display."

"It will be a tight, fast and technical circuit and when you add in Shrewsbury's cobbles and the changes in gradient on the circuit, riders will have to be on top of their game to emerge victorious. It really should be quite a spectacle," he said.

Crit racing is a tight circuit based cycle race in which cyclists are expected to reach speeds of 40 miles per hour. Events include a 45-minute ladies only race, an amateur race of around 50 minutes and an hour long pro-race. Mr Lawrence, who is is managing director of Beaumont Lawrence which is sponsoring the event along with Shrewsbury's Stan's Cycles, Cooper Green Pooks and Pure Communications, is also the racing team manager for the successful Paramount Performance Cycling Racing Team.

He said that years ago, Shrewsbury used to have a town centre cycle race, and it quickly became one of the key local races of the season. He said: "Paramount CRT is very keen to bring cycle racing back to Shrewsbury town centre. We have liaised closely with British Cycling who have helped fit this into a busy calendar of national racing and we hope a strong field of elite cyclists will enter.

"It will be a great spectacle for the town and coming just before the Tour de France heads to Yorkshire, it will really help cycling continue to grow in this county."

The course will run around part of the town centre with The Square being the hub of the event. Roads will be closed to traffic from approximately mid morning until 8pm.

The route will take riders from The Square along High Street, Shoplatch, St Johns Hill, Cross Hill, Swan Hill, College Hill, Princess Street, Milk Street and then back on to the High Street. Mr Lawrence said he hoped thousands of people would line the streets to cheer. He said: "We want to create a festival atmosphere."

Seasoned racer Mike Jones and owner of Stan's Cycles said the race would be a great event for Shrewsbury. He said: "The business community have been fantastic in getting behind the event and offering sponsorship and Shropshire Council has also been terrific."

For more contact Ben Lawrence at Beaumont Lawrence on (01743) 236767 or e-mail ben@beaumontlawrence.co.uk

Facts and history of town's top cycling event:

• Around 50 riders per race, reaching speeds of up to 40mph

• The route will take riders from The Square along High Street, Shoplatch, St Johns Hill, Cross Hill, Swan Hill, College Hill, Princess Street, Milk Street and then back on to the High Street

• The old course they used was slightly shorter than the new race. Riders used to turn left opposite the market and go up Market Street across the square and into Princess Street.

• Former competitors include Malcolm Elliot – ex Tour de France rider and winner of three stages at the Vuelta (tour of Spain), Simon Lillestion – a Shrewsbury-born rider, he rode in the Shrewsbury Junior race and went on to ride in the 1988 and 1992 Olympics in the Team Pursuit; Colin Sturgess – who was the national Pursuit Champion.