LEAZES CRITERIUM | FRIDAY 11TH JUNE 2010

Criterium racing in Leazes Park,
races for all ages and abilities.

Leazes Criteriums | Event Information

Welcome to the 5th edition of this event. June 2006 saw exciting top quality racing once again return to Newcastle. The evening was a huge success and as a result the promise of it becoming an annual event has become a realisation for the organiser. Leazes Park was chosen for its proximity to the city and the fact that it is a safe environment for cyclists due to its traffic free status. This is especially important for youngsters and those new to racing.

The highlight of the evening was a one hour race for elite riders which included Olympic and World Champions. This was run off at breathtaking speed and for those who had never seen this type of racing before it was an education in how to handle a bike. The novice’s race attracted a field of 33 and brought some potential future stars to the fore.

The format for 2010 is as follows:

Go Ride Youth Races U10/12 & U14/16

The evening will start with a race for youths in their own age categories at U10/12 and U14/16. There will be two races. The first will be a combined race for U10/12 and the second for U14/16 age groups.

Entry Fee: £8 (£10 EOL if places available). Races limited to 40 for each race. All riders must be a British Cycling members and hold a current licence or take out a day licence.

Cheques payable to Northern Rock Cyclone. All entries and payments must be sent to the organiser at least 1 weeks before the event.

The races will start at 6.15pm.

Registration for the races will close 20min before the race.

Senior Race (Category 2/3/4/Junior/Women)

This will be run over 45 minutes plus 5 laps for 2nd, 3rd and 4th category riders. There will be primes and prizes for all categories of finishers.

Entry Fee: £15 (£20 EOL). Maximum field of 60 riders so pre-entry is recommended. All riders must be BC members and have a full racing licence or take out a day licence on the day of the event.

The senior race will start at approximately 7pm. However if light conditions are poor this may be moved forwards by 10 minutes.

Registration for the race will close 20min before the race.

Elite Race (inc. Category 1)

The finale of the evening will once again be a one hour race for Elite and 1st Category riders. The race will have primes and a points prize and with the increase in Sponsorship will be the richest evening of racing in the UK for Elite riders. First prize in the main event is £1000 and the total prize fund for the evening for all events will be at least £8000.

Entry Fee: £15 (£20 EOL). Maximum field of 60 riders so pre-entry is recommended. UCI licence holders can compete in this event. Individual entries and team entries to event organiser with cheques made payable to Northern Rock Cyclone.

The Elite race starts at 8pm but may be brought forward by 15 minutes to 7.45pm if light conditions are poor.

Registration for the races closes 20min before the race.

Final presentations are due to be completed around 9.15pm

The 2009 edtion of the race saw continental riders from Holland and ireland compete for the first time. These Teams competed agains the very best of the British riders which included several current Olympic medallists.

Registration for Cyclone Challenge

Registration for the Saturday Sportive events will be carried out in Leazes Park on the Friday - from 4pm till 9pm - as well as on the Saturday morning at the Newcastle Falcons ground - see Cyclone Challenge infomation page.

It is hope competitors for the sportive rides will come along to the event on the Friday evening and watch the racing. Some may even be competing in both days’ activities.

All entry forms can be found on the appropriate pages of the website. The events will be run under British Cycling regulations.

There will also be trade stands with the latest products being shown from Madison, the Technical sponsors.

Huge thanks must go to Northern Rock for backing this event plus the whole weekends racing and sportive rides.