York will host the 2013 men’s and women’s British Cycling National Circuit Race Championships on Sunday 21 July, the day that the 100th Tour de France draws to a close and the baton is passed to Yorkshire ahead of Le Grand Départ 2014, stage 2 of which will start in York.
The championships, which will see the men’s and women’s events contested on the same day for the first time in its history, will form the showpiece of an exciting evening of bike racing in the historic city.
As one of the pinnacle events on the domestic elite road racing calendar, the championships are fiercely contested by the country’s top professional riders and teams and previous winners include the likes of 2011 Road World Champion Mark Cavendish and Olympic medallists Ed Clancy, Lizzie Armitstead, Joanna Rowsell and Dani King.
With the date marking the beginning of the countdown to Yorkshire’s hosting of the Tour de France Grand Départ in 2014, 21 July will be a symbolic day for the city of York. To mark the occasion, the city is planning big screen coverage of the final stage of the Tour de France, timed to follow on from the conclusion of the national championships.
The circuit on which the national championships will take place truly showcases the historic city centre in York with the iconic Minster a dominating backdrop to the finish line for all the events taking place on the day.
“We are delighted to award the National Circuit Race Championships to the city of York on what will be a momentous day for British cycling as well as for Yorkshire."
Jonny Clay, British Cycling Cycle Sport and Membership Director
Jonny Clay, Cycle Sport and Membership Director at British Cycling commented: “We are delighted to award the 2013 men’s and women’s National Circuit Race Championships to the city of York on what will be a momentous day for British cycling as well as for Yorkshire.
“York will provide a spectacular backdrop for the racing and the championships will treat the people of York to a thrilling spectacle as they witness the country’s top cyclists racing on their city’s streets.”
Cllr Sonja Crisp, City of York Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “I am delighted that British Cycling has chosen York as the host city for both the men’s and women’s 2013 National Circuit Race Championships.
"This is another great achievement for York ahead of the 2014 Le Grand Départ with stage 2 beginning on the city’s historic streets. We look forward to hosting another high quality event and I hope that spectators will be lining the route and cheering the riders along.”
The 2012 National Circuit Race Championships men’s title was won by Scott Thwaites of Endura Racing. The 22 year old Yorkshire man claimed the coveted national champion’s jersey after a hard fought battle on the streets of Otley. Double junior road world champion Lucy Garner (Node 4 Giordana) took the women’s title, winning a bunch sprint in front of huge crowds in Sheffield city centre.
