STOP PRESS: Isle of Man Bid for GB Road Race Champs 2016
Yellow Peril
Posts: 4,466
You heard it first here folks!
Chief Minister’s Office
Oik yn Ard-shirveishagh
News Release
Government Office
Bucks Road
Douglas
Isle of Man, IM1 3PN
Date: 1 April 2014
Isle of Man launches bid to host
2016 British cycling championship
Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK has today (Tuesday 1 April) announced that the Isle of Man is launching a bid to host the 2016 British Cycling National Road Championship.
The event is the highlight of the elite road racing calendar in the UK and is fiercely contested by the country’s leading professional riders and teams.
Mr Bell made the announcement during a visit to Glasgow where Isle of Man superstar Mark Cavendish MBE claimed the 2013 British title in a thrilling race watched by 30,000 spectators.
Cavendish and his Manx team-mates will be gunning for more glory on Scottish soil this summer when Glasgow hosts the 20th Commonwealth Games.
The Chief Minister, senior Government officials and media representatives took an opportunity to inspect some of the Commonwealth Games venues during the trip to Glasgow to mark the restoration of flights between the Isle of Man and Scotland.
The Island will be sending a strong team to the Games in July, with the cyclists once again expected to spearhead the Manx medal challenge.
The outstanding success of our top track riders and road racers over recent years has heightened international awareness of the Isle of Man and generated positive media coverage across the world.
Mark Cavendish has won the Road World Championship and 25 stages of the Tour de France in a glittering career, as well as clinching gold for the Isle of Man at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
Peter Kennaugh MBE is an Olympic champion after his gold medal on the track at London 2012, while Mark Christian claimed a bronze medal in Delhi during the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
That level of performance has helped to inspire future generations of Island cyclists and it is hoped that staging Britain’s showpiece road races will provide a further lasting legacy.
The Chief Minister said: ‘The Isle of Man has vast experience of hosting international sporting events and it would be great to add the 2016 British Cycling Championship to a list that includes the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games. This would be a wonderful opportunity to welcome some of the world’s best cyclists to our shores and to showcase the Island to a wider audience. Glasgow did an excellent job of hosting last year’s championship and I’m confident we can learn from our friends in Scotland to ensure the 2016 event is a success if our bid is supported.’
In addition to producing modern-day elite riders, the Isle of Man has a rich cycling history having staged Britain’s biggest cycling festival for almost 70 years.
Isle of Man International Cycling Week ran from 1936 to 2003 and attracted world-renowned competitors of the calibre of Eddy Merckx, Sean Kelly, Steve Joughin, Chris Boardman and Graeme Obree. The event is still remembered fondly by many in British cycling.
The Department of Economic Development is spearheading the bid for the 2016 British Cycling National Road Championship on behalf of the Isle of Man. An application for funding from the Marketing Initiatives Fund has been submitted to drive forward the plans.
The support and involvement of the local sporting community will be essential to a successful bid and the Department remains in consultation with a number of organisations.
Richard Fletcher, Chairman of the Isle of Man Cycling Association, said: ‘The announcement of this bid will be greeted with great excitement by the whole cycling community in the Island. The Manx public’s interest in our sport and local participation has increased exponentially over the last five years. This has been for a variety of reasons, including the global standing of our top riders, the annual Sleepwell Hotels Isle of Man Youth and Junior Tour and the highly successful youth initiative run by Dot Tilbury MBE and her team at the NSC.’
He added: ‘As the sport’s governing body in the Island, the Isle of Man Cycling Association is wholly committed to working with the Department in the coming months to ensure that every chance to optimise the bid is acted upon. If successful, we look forward to supporting the event in whatever way we can.’
Ends
Chief Minister’s Office
Oik yn Ard-shirveishagh
News Release
Government Office
Bucks Road
Douglas
Isle of Man, IM1 3PN
Date: 1 April 2014
Isle of Man launches bid to host
2016 British cycling championship
Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK has today (Tuesday 1 April) announced that the Isle of Man is launching a bid to host the 2016 British Cycling National Road Championship.
The event is the highlight of the elite road racing calendar in the UK and is fiercely contested by the country’s leading professional riders and teams.
Mr Bell made the announcement during a visit to Glasgow where Isle of Man superstar Mark Cavendish MBE claimed the 2013 British title in a thrilling race watched by 30,000 spectators.
Cavendish and his Manx team-mates will be gunning for more glory on Scottish soil this summer when Glasgow hosts the 20th Commonwealth Games.
The Chief Minister, senior Government officials and media representatives took an opportunity to inspect some of the Commonwealth Games venues during the trip to Glasgow to mark the restoration of flights between the Isle of Man and Scotland.
The Island will be sending a strong team to the Games in July, with the cyclists once again expected to spearhead the Manx medal challenge.
The outstanding success of our top track riders and road racers over recent years has heightened international awareness of the Isle of Man and generated positive media coverage across the world.
Mark Cavendish has won the Road World Championship and 25 stages of the Tour de France in a glittering career, as well as clinching gold for the Isle of Man at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
Peter Kennaugh MBE is an Olympic champion after his gold medal on the track at London 2012, while Mark Christian claimed a bronze medal in Delhi during the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
That level of performance has helped to inspire future generations of Island cyclists and it is hoped that staging Britain’s showpiece road races will provide a further lasting legacy.
The Chief Minister said: ‘The Isle of Man has vast experience of hosting international sporting events and it would be great to add the 2016 British Cycling Championship to a list that includes the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games. This would be a wonderful opportunity to welcome some of the world’s best cyclists to our shores and to showcase the Island to a wider audience. Glasgow did an excellent job of hosting last year’s championship and I’m confident we can learn from our friends in Scotland to ensure the 2016 event is a success if our bid is supported.’
In addition to producing modern-day elite riders, the Isle of Man has a rich cycling history having staged Britain’s biggest cycling festival for almost 70 years.
Isle of Man International Cycling Week ran from 1936 to 2003 and attracted world-renowned competitors of the calibre of Eddy Merckx, Sean Kelly, Steve Joughin, Chris Boardman and Graeme Obree. The event is still remembered fondly by many in British cycling.
The Department of Economic Development is spearheading the bid for the 2016 British Cycling National Road Championship on behalf of the Isle of Man. An application for funding from the Marketing Initiatives Fund has been submitted to drive forward the plans.
The support and involvement of the local sporting community will be essential to a successful bid and the Department remains in consultation with a number of organisations.
Richard Fletcher, Chairman of the Isle of Man Cycling Association, said: ‘The announcement of this bid will be greeted with great excitement by the whole cycling community in the Island. The Manx public’s interest in our sport and local participation has increased exponentially over the last five years. This has been for a variety of reasons, including the global standing of our top riders, the annual Sleepwell Hotels Isle of Man Youth and Junior Tour and the highly successful youth initiative run by Dot Tilbury MBE and her team at the NSC.’
He added: ‘As the sport’s governing body in the Island, the Isle of Man Cycling Association is wholly committed to working with the Department in the coming months to ensure that every chance to optimise the bid is acted upon. If successful, we look forward to supporting the event in whatever way we can.’
Ends
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Comments
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It goes without saying that I will supply free board and lodging to as many Pro Race regulars who want to come across for the event (should it happen) whether you are sans or avec velo.#noonemindssharingdothey?0
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Is this an April Fools ; )
It might be a great race on that parcours and with the wind. Rain may make it miserable. Does Isle of Man have the facilities/infrastructure to host this properly?Contador is the Greatest0 -
frenchfighter wrote:Is this an April Fools ; )
It might be a great race on that parcours and with the wind. Rain may make it miserable. Does Isle of Man have the facilities/infrastructure to host this properly?
Not an April Fools.
cycling is a big thing here, anything and everything necessary will be done to make this a success. They know how to host a big closed road race, they do it every year for the TT. No-one will moan, no tacks on the road, no cars coming the other way.0 -
I think the Worlds should go to IOM. Seriously, it would be a great venue.It's only a bit of sport, Mun. Relax and enjoy the racing.0
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Salsiccia1 wrote:I think the Worlds should go to IOM. Seriously, it would be a great venue.
Quite agree would love to see that in the fullness of time. Very happy for a chance to host the Brits in the meantime!0 -
What's all the 'stop press' faux excitement about?
It's the nationals, which aren't even considered worthy of chipper status ...0 -
I'm quite excited about it crank so it isn't faux.
Looking forward to snuggling up if you come over...0 -
Ah, I just assumed it was the Worlds hence my comments. GB road race should be a walk in the park. Surprised it hasnt been done sooner.Contador is the Greatest0
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Like FF, I initially though it was the WC's given the effort put into the op ...0
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frenchfighter wrote:Ah, I just assumed it was the Worlds hence my comments. GB road race should be a walk in the park. Surprised it hasnt been done sooner.
that would be nice but I'm sure getting to host the WC is like an Olympic bid these days. There's still a long way to go with trying to secure this event such is cycling's profile these days but I'm sure it would be a cracking weekend for anyone wanting to combine some riding and watching a championship event.0 -
Yellow Peril wrote:I'm quite excited about it crank so it isn't faux.
Looking forward to snuggling up if you come over...
Don't be coy ... Just tell me where I should aim ...0 -
Crankbrother wrote:Yellow Peril wrote:I'm quite excited about it crank so it isn't faux.
Looking forward to snuggling up if you come over...
Don't be coy ... Just tell me where I should aim ...
let's go lights on and eyes open.0 -
Yellow Peril wrote:Crankbrother wrote:Yellow Peril wrote:I'm quite excited about it crank so it isn't faux.
Looking forward to snuggling up if you come over...
Don't be coy ... Just tell me where I should aim ...
let's go lights on and eyes open.
I know it's called the Isle of Man, but I just assumed that was a nomenclature quirk rather than advertising ... It's no Fire Island is it ...0 -
Crankbrother wrote:Yellow Peril wrote:Crankbrother wrote:Yellow Peril wrote:I'm quite excited about it crank so it isn't faux.
Looking forward to snuggling up if you come over...
Don't be coy ... Just tell me where I should aim ...
let's go lights on and eyes open.
I know it's called the Isle of Man, but I just assumed that was a nomenclature quirk rather than advertising ... It's no Fire Island is it ...
No we're Celtic traditional...baaaa!0 -
Why would they announce this on April Fools. It makes life so confusing.
Anyway this would be neat, been going to the IoM regularly for years due to my grandparents moving over there way back. Lovely place for a bike race, could totally do the Worlds there too.0 -
nat TT champs on the mountain TT course would be wicked, I imagine you will get it, if not for 2016 another year for sure with Cav and Kennaugh surely willing to put their weight behind it.0
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frenchfighter wrote:Ah, I just assumed it was the Worlds hence my comments. GB road race should be a walk in the park. Surprised it hasnt been done sooner.
It has been. The Manx International doubled as the Nationals one year in the early '90s. From memory Brian Smith won it. The Manx itself was a fantastic race, it used to be completely closed roads (as was the whole cycling week) and the final day was the 3 lap Pro-am Manx International, the 2 lap 2/3 cat Viking Trophy and 1 lap 3/J/V/W Mannin Veg which I rode in 1990. The field in the junior race was around 200 and I got dropped on the first hairpin on the mountain. The week also had a mountain time trial on the TT course, can't see that being used for the National TT though.0 -
Your memory needs a refresh. Robert Millar won the Nationals in 1995 on the IOM.
I think it was his last ever race as Le Groupement folded just before the Tour, a week later.0 -
Pross wrote:frenchfighter wrote:Ah, I just assumed it was the Worlds hence my comments. GB road race should be a walk in the park. Surprised it hasnt been done sooner.
It has been. The Manx International doubled as the Nationals one year in the early '90s. From memory Brian Smith won it. The Manx itself was a fantastic race, it used to be completely closed roads (as was the whole cycling week) and the final day was the 3 lap Pro-am Manx International, the 2 lap 2/3 cat Viking Trophy and 1 lap 3/J/V/W Mannin Veg which I rode in 1990. The field in the junior race was around 200 and I got dropped on the first hairpin on the mountain. The week also had a mountain time trial on the TT course, can't see that being used for the National TT though.
No disgrace there Pross, good for you. The cycle week trophies are on display in the National Sports centre on the IOM and the winners engraved thereon make for interesting reading. Millar did win on the Island with the most incredible ride down of a breakaway. His younger namesake also took the trophy in 1999.
The TT course wouldn't be used for the Nationals as the reqquirements for a National course are quite prescriptive but such is the variety of terrain available on the Island that producing the necessary course shouldn't be such a challenge.0 -
andyp wrote:Your memory needs a refresh. Robert Millar won the Nationals in 1995 on the IOM.
I think it was his last ever race as Le Groupement folded just before the Tour, a week later.
Thanks Andy, yep I've got a terrible memory for things like that. I thought the race was used for the champs a bit earlier and on checking Smith won in '93 when it wasn't a championship race.0
