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Following on from last year’s hosting of the National Road Championships, Lincoln has announced a festival of cycling for 2016, to take place during May.
Starting on Friday 13th with the closed circuit Lincoln Cirterium, the festival will offer a three length Saturday morning sportive, an ‘uphill dash’ and a grand prix event.
The route distances match the Elite races.
- 30mile route, the distance of the Lincoln Criterium.
- 63m route, the distance of the Women’s Lincoln Grand Prix.
- 103m route, the distance of the Men’s Lincoln Grand Prix.
All routes will follow a lap of the Lincoln Grand Prix circuit on their return to Lincoln. Following the gruelling finish all riders will have access free sports massage in the Lincoln Castle from therapists of The Sports Therapy Association.
Sunday May 15th see’s the inaugural Women’s Lincoln Grand Prix take place, over 8 laps of the famous 8 mile City Circuit including Michaelgate. This will be followed by the Men’s Lincoln Grand Prix, which is back to the traditional 103m distance over 12 laps of the City Circuit. Both Grand Prix races will start from Castle Square unlike previous editions of the race as this is the main focal point for spectators.
After over 50 years as event organiser Ian Emmerson has handed over the reigns to Dan Ellmore, who will work in conjunction with Peter Odam & Kelly Odam as Event Delivery Services. Dan, Kelly & Peter have all worked on the race many times in the past, up to 20 years in Dan’s case.
Following the launch Phil West, British Cycling’s major domestic events manager, said:
“The prestigious Lincoln Grand Prix has been an integral feature of the British Cycling road racing calendar for over sixty years, so I am delighted that in 2016 the race will be part of a full weekend of cycling in the city, giving people several opportunities to enjoy the sport by participating or supporting the racing.
"Following Lincoln’s successful hosting of the 2015 British Cycling National Road Championships I am delighted to see a women’s race retained in 2016 as part of the Lincoln Festival of Cycling and welcome the inaugural Lincoln Women’s Grand Prix to the calendar.
"We look forward to returning to Lincoln for another fantastic weekend of cycling next May.”
For full route details and to enter online now, please visit www.lincolnsportive.co.uk.
