Mention bike racing to anyone and it immediately conjures up images of the Tour De France with large bunches of tanned cyclists rolling through majestic countryside. This type of racing is often referred to as "Road Racing" and put simply its a massed start event  that takes place on open roads with the winner the first person to cross the line and put their hands in the air !

In this country all road racing is organised under the rules of British Cycling check out their website www.britishcycling.org.uk membership of British Cycling allows you to take part in their events and also gives you access to the racing calendar so that you can plan your events in advance.

To enable you to race at a level appropriate to your ability participants and races are ranked, typically,  Youth under 10, U12, U14, U16, All youth races take place on a closed road traffic free enviroment known as circuit races or criteriums. Typical events are timed and can last for 30mins to an hour.

 Junior riders are aged 18 and under, they race alongside the older riders and can race on the public highway or in circuit races. Points gained in the  events they ride (typically for the first 10) lead to the ranking system E/1/2/3/4  with E being the highest category.

Senior riders are ranked E/1/2/3/4 and can race on the public highway or in circuit events.  Distances can be from 1 hour to 100miles

All new members to British Cycling start off as 4th category riders and as they gain points progress through the ranking system. If your new to the sport it's a good idea to start with some circuit races and get the feel of riding in a group before progressing on to the open road. Ask one of the club coaches for advice on the best place to start. 

The Mid Devon CC regularly take part in road races at all levels in the South West and Nationally. In 2008, we were the highest ranked team in the South West helped along the way by Elite rider Jon Locke who featured in the Premier calendar series and took 7th place in the National Championships ! Jon has progressed onto the Rapha Condor Sharp professional team and is an inspiration to our young cyclists.

The MDCC has a proud history of producing some of the top riders in the country and can count  on the experiences of Roy Hopkins (holder of the fastest Milk Race stage and over 40's National Champion), Colin Lewis (Olympian, Tour De France Rider, twice British Pro Champion), Mike Parker ( over 40's National Champion) Lester Clarke (Junior National Champion), Andy Hitchens (GB Junior+ Senior Team member), Mark Woodward (GB Junior Team Member ), Andy Parker (GB Junior+ Senior Team member) Mark Dolan (Junior National Champion and GB Team member), Jeremy Hunt ( National Senior champion + GB team member professional for the last 10 years currently with Sky), Yanto Barker ( 11th in Junior worlds Junior +Senior GB Team member) and Jon Locke Rapha Condor Sharp (senior GB Team member).

One of the hidden benefits of belonging to the Mid Devon is the opportunity to train with some of the names above and to learn from their experiences.

For 2011  the Mid Devon will continue to support its riders through its "development fund " we are particularly keen to give our youth riders the opportunity to race and will be travelling to the closed circuit at Ilton Somerset regularly. Brennan Townsend, Adam Fursdon and Jonathon Aske will be leading our Junior team and looking to shine in the National Junior events. While Andy Hitchens, Ashley Watts, Adam Holmes, Alain Drury, Mark Dolan, Andy Perkins and Andy Parker will be leading the charge for the seniors.   Simon Aske, Adam Beams,Stuart Bergman and Keith Watts will be looking to add to ther points tally and move up the rankings.

We will be sending teams to the international Tour of Crete and The Jumelage 2 day in Vire France, and  provided winners at both events !

As participants in events across the country we take our responsibility's seriously and will be putting time back into the promotion and continued success of the sport. This year we will organise three Springtime Pursuits, The Totnes Vire 2 DAY, Totnes Town Centre Criteriums and the Paignton Regatta Circuit Races. We also provide event officials for South West events.

For more information on anything Road Racing contact JakeDurrant club Road Race Secretary wigga_17@hotmail.com

 

 

                                    Put your hands up for Mid Devon !

 

 

See attachments below for the resources of

 

 2011 Road and Circuit calendar,

Road Race entry form, standard form required to enter all road races and circuit races  

Parental Consent to accompany all entry's of riders aged under 18 who are not already British Cycling members

Link to British Cycling membership page http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership/article/memst-new-what-members-get

If you want to race you require a Silver British Cycling membership and a racing licence, There are various discounts to MDCC members available contact andrewparker@britishcycling.org.uk for more info