2011 NATIONAL CYCLO-CROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS LAUNCH

[veloriders]

The Mayor of Derby, Sean Marshall headed the guests at the launch of the 2011 British cycling National Cyclo-Cross Championships to be held in Derby. Organisers from Derby Cyclo-cross and sponsors for the event were welcome by the Mayor at the Council House in Derby.Special guests were two of our recently crowned national champions who live locally. Jamie Harris the U23 Champion who rides for Cult Racing joined Ian Wright of Raleigh who is the National Veteran (over 50s) title holder.

The guests initially posed for photos on the steps of the Council House where the riders and their machines were the centre of attention.



This was followed by refreshments at the Brewery Tap public house hosted by sponsor Paul Harris from Derby Brewing. Paul and his father Trevor Harris have supported Derby Cyclo-cross since it ran its first event the Midland championships in 2007. Many riders have enjoyed a bottle of “Business as Usual” after recovering from their races over recent years.



The Mayor of Derby, Councillor Sean Marshall was very pleased to host the launch, “It is a real honour for the City of Derby to host the British Cyclo-cross Championship 2010. This prestigious event will put Derby on the map and hopefully be the start of much needed support for the future. I am very proud, as Mayor of Derby, to have met with some of the volunteers, local organisers and participants of this event and to have seen the hard work and dedication that is put into this exciting sport. This will be a great occasion for the City of Derby.”

The launch follows the recent announcement that Moorways Stadium in Derby has been selected to host next years National Cyclo-Cross Championships. This will take place over two days on 8th and 9th of January 2011 and will be organised by the experienced team from Derby Cyclo-cross. Derby Cyclo-cross is an amalgum of cyclo-cross enthusiasts across several Derbyshire clubs – Derby Mercury CC, South Pennine RC, Heanor Clarion CC and empella/cyclo-cross.com RT. The course itself will be technical and demanding and will be designed by SRAM Notts and Derby Cyclo-cross League winner Ben Eedy.

New Cult Racing star Jamie Harris who lives in Draycott has just come back to cyclo-cross after a four year break. “I am really pleased that the National Championships are at Moorways, it’s really close for me and I have always liked riding there. Moorways has a bit of everything to make a really good course and I hope they have a sand section in it. I can't wait for cyclo-cross season to get started again “said an enthusiastic Harris.

Yoxall’s Ian Wright, the Raleigh rider who won the Over 50s race in the National Trophy at Moorways was equally impressed, “What great news to hear that John Holmes along with the Derby Mercury, South Pennine and Heanor Clarion cycling clubs have been awarded this prestigious Cyclo Cross National Championships at Moorways Derby 2011. Well deserved after promoting National Trophy Events over the last few years.”
“I for one loved the course they designed for round 2 National Trophy 2009 it had everything a good cyclo-cross course should have, off camber grass sections, fast road sections, wooded area and in all a very flowing course.”
“Talking to Ben Eedy he tells me they would like to put a sandpit section in for the Championships. This would really give it a continental feel along with all the trimmings we had at the National Trophy at Moorways in 2009”.

Event organiser John Holmes welcomed the help from the sponsors, “It’s great to see so many of our sponsors here because without their support the event would not be able to take place. With large events like this there are many costs attributed to ensure the high standards are met. These include venue hire, extra toilets, Ist Aid and security. Currently we are pleased that sponsors like Cycle Derby, RJ Engineering, Flowfare, Optical 3, Prestige and Schwalbe help us directly with these costs. In fact at the moment we are still looking for further sponsors to help us with these costs.”
“Raleigh, High 5, TotalHire and Mycroft Commissionaires also help us by providing goods and services for the event”

“High5 are delighted to be sponsor of the 2011 British Cycling National Cyclo-Cross Championships and to continue our collaboration with Derby Cyclo-Cross. The professional attitude from the organisers has been outstanding so far. We are the leading manufacturer of sports nutrition so it is a natural fit for us to be associated with the Elite Championships.” said Raphael Deinhart of High5.

Geoff Giddings, Marketing Manager with Raleigh UK, himself a former cyclo-cross champion said “Its fantastic to see such a prestigious race come to Derby in 2011, Raleigh are proud to offer our support to the organisers’

To compliment the main event there is a series of children’s races that will take place on the same weekend at Osmaston Park, which is adjacent to Moorways. These events are set to be as successful as those last year that attracted 200 riders. These races are organised by Cycle Derby (the City Council’s National Cycling Town project) and British Cycling and are aimed at local school children but are also open to younger riders from around the country. “Cycle Derby is really excited to be involved in organising the U12’s race at this prestige event.” said Tracey Fletcher, Cycle Derby Projects Officer, Schools & Clubs.

If you would like to support a prestigious sporting event and help promote the developing sport of cycling in Derby then please contact John Holmes on 07946 461972

All of the photographs taken at the launch are on event website (http://derbycyclocross.org.uk/) and our Flickr page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/47858071@N08/)

Further details can be found on the event website: www.derbycyclocross.org.uk
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