Croydon is set to take centre stage when it hosts one of the biggest cycling events in Britain for the first time, with Olympic champions to race through North End.
The Pearl Izumi Men’s Tour Series and Matrix Fitness Women’s Grand Prix, two of the country’s main professional cycling events and the backbone of the UK pro-cycling scene, come to the town centre on the evening of Tuesday, 2 June.
Britain’s top cycling teams will be competing including the new Team WIGGINS, formed by 2012 Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins, and the ONE Pro Cycling team of England cricketer Matt Prior.
Expected on the starting line for the women’s event is double Olympic and world champion Laura Trott, along with Olympic champions Dani King and Joanna Rowsell.
Fellow Olympic champions Ed Clancy and Steven Burke are also likely to appear in the men’s race.
Croydon is one of 10 venues hosting a round of the tour series and the only London town centre location.
The 45-minute women’s race will start at 5.30pm followed by the men’s at 7.30pm, lasting one hour. A series of activities will be taking place in the lead-up to the racing (see timetable below).
The race is being sponsored by Keltbray Group, Skanska Laing, AIG, Decathlon, EM Highways, Veolia, Croydon Council, Croydon Heart Town, Fairfield Halls and Transport for London.
Councillor Tony Newman, leader of the council, said: “We’re delighted to welcome The Pearl Izumi Tour Series and Matrix Fitness Grand Prix for the first time to Croydon, which will see the borough broadcast to a worldwide audience.
“This promises to be the start of a new cultural era and a great summer for Croydon, with the Ambition Festival to take place the following month.”
Councillor Timothy Godfrey, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, said: “These are two of British cycling’s biggest events and the fact Croydon has been chosen to host these races shows the confidence placed in our borough to stage a major sporting contest.
“There are some big names, including Olympic champions, who will be racing through our town centre, which is great news for Croydon.”
Mick Bennett, race director for organisers SweetSpot, said: “We are looking forward to making our debut in Croydon and bringing the Pearl Izumi Tour Series to south London.
“Spectators can look forward to seeing Britain’s top male and female cyclists, including World and Olympic Champions, racing through the heart of Croydon.”
Notes to editors
London Tramlink will be partly suspended and temporary road closures in place on the 1km route.
The majority of closures will be from 2pm with some as early as 7am to allow for the event to be set up. Roads will reopen as soon as possible after the event.
Access for emergency vehicles and pedestrian access to businesses will be maintained at all times. For a full list of road closures and more information about the race visit www.croydon.gov.uk/tourseries
The event will be broadcast on ITV4 at 10pm on Wednesday, 3 June in a one-hour highlights programme, and on Eurosport between 10pm and 11pm on Thursday, 4 June.
You can follow the race on Twitter @CroydonCycleRace
Timetable of activities on June 2nd
1pm: Local primary school races and skills activities on North End
3pm: Wheels for Wellbeing – discover inclusive cycling with Wheels for Wellbeing taster rides on North End
4pm onwards: Activities in the Promo Zone
4pm: Cycling Awareness Zone opens
4.30pm: Women’s teams warm up on circuit
5.30pm: Matrix Fitness GP Series Round Three (45 mins)
6:45pm: Men’s teams warm up on circuit and sign on
7:30pm: Pearl Izumi Tour Series Round Seven (1hr +5 laps)
9pm: Podium ceremony and presentations
