Monday, 23 May 2022
  • Login
  • Home
  • LSJ TV
  • LSJ Magazine
  • Siren Radio
  • The Linc
  • Cygnet PR
  • Style Guide
  • Privacy Policy
  • About LSJ
LSJ News
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Arts and Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Business
  • Community
    • Education
    • International
    • Viewpoint
  • Politics
  • Science and Technology
    • Environment
    • Health
  • TV
  • Magazine
LSJ News
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Arts and Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Business
  • Community
    • Education
    • International
    • Viewpoint
  • Politics
  • Science and Technology
    • Environment
    • Health
  • TV
  • Magazine
No Result
View All Result
LSJ News
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Lincoln cycling event back in the saddle thanks to last minute sponsor

City's big weekend of events is saved as firm steps in with cash boost

Chloe Groom by Chloe Groom
March 5, 2020
in News
Reading Time: 5 mins read
0 0
A A
0
Lincoln cycling event back in the saddle thanks to last minute sponsor
0
SHARES
40
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare via Email

 A last minute sponsor has rescued one of the oldest cycling races in the UK. 

The Lincoln Grand Prix is an annual event in Lincoln, dating back to 1956, but was scheduled to be cancelled this year due to lack of funding. 

But now British clothing brand Rapha has stepped in to save the National Elite Series races, agreeing to be the lead sponsor for the next two years. The event will go ahead on May 9 and 10. 

Dan Ellmore, the organiser of Lincoln GP, said: “It would be a huge loss to the calendar. It’s known as the one the riders want to win.” 

Simon Richardson claimed bronze at the Lincoln GP, once in 2008 and again in 2010. He said: “It’s a really important race here in the UK and certainly one of the most prestigious, so losing it would have been a big blow. 

“It’s becoming increasingly difficult to put races on so this feels like an important step in stopping the decline.” 

Two-time silver medallist in the men’s 2012 and 2013 races, Marcin Bialoblocki, said: “Great Britain would not be great if Lincoln GP didn’t take place.” 

Chestnut Homes sponsored the race from 2017 but pulled out ahead of the 2020 event, citing Brexit and the General Election result for the move. 

It previously contributed £15,000 per year towards the running of the races, without which the event could not go ahead. Although Rapha will be contributing the same amount of cash, the status and relevance of the company to the sport is predicted to raise the Grand Prix’s status and bring value to the Lincoln event.  

The initial partnership with Rapha is for two years but the company has not ruled out further sponsorship and wants to help the event become more self-sustaining. 

Rapha Performance Roadwear is a British sportswear and lifestyle brand focused on road bicycle racing, clothing and accessories.

MinebeaMitsumi, a historical Lincoln business making technical bearing products for aircraft manufacturers, has been named as another title sponsor. 

Both the men’s and women’s Grand Prix races on Sunday May 10 begin at Bishop Grosseteste University Campus then move to Castle Square for the official start. The men’s race begins at 1pm and consists of 13 laps of the course, totting up 103 miles, while the women’s ride starts at 9am and consists of eight laps equalling 63 miles. 

The course takes riders through the historic Bailgate area, out to Burton Village and up the famously gruelling Michaelgate Hill, finishing in Castle Square. 

Mr Ellmore said: “The Lincoln GP is unique because it runs through the city centre, every lap for the whole race. This creates a spectacular backdrop of the castle and cathedral, which are the city’s main tourist attractions. It also gives a focal point for the crowd and we get 7,000 to 10,000 people in the Michaelgate area.”

 Jessica Roberts, 20, claimed second place in the women’s race last summer. She said: “The Lincoln GP is one of my favourite races on the British calendar so I’m really pleased that Rapha has saved it. 

“It’s such a fun race and there’s always lots of spectators watching, especially up Michaelgate which is really special.”

It costs £45,000 for the organisers to run the event with the policing bill alone reaching £10,000. It has previously required eight police motorbikes, two police cars, a silver command police officer and 60 stewards to shut all the side roads.

In previous years the organisers themselves have made up extra costs up to £1,000 but until Rapha stepped in, £20,000 was needed for the 2020 races. 

The women’s race was added to the event in 2016, and now Lincoln GP is one of the only major British sporting events to offer prizes of the same value for both men and women, with both winners being awarded £400. 

Best places for spectators to enjoy the action, according to organisers, are Castle Square, Burton Village, Saxilby Road, Michaelgate, Long Leys Road and the Bailgate Area. 

Mr Ellmore said: “The list of previous winners is full of Olympians and Commonwealth Games riders and also we have had some huge names ride but not win.”

Past participants have included Bradley Wiggins, Tom Pidcock and Malcolm Elliott.

Looking to the future, Mr Ellmore added: “All cycling events in the UK seem to be struggling so we are trying to look at the business model for them to make things better for the future.” 

Previous Post

Street light switch-off saves council millions but leaves residents feeling unsafe

Next Post

New Lincoln Transport Strategy launched by Lincolnshire councils

Chloe Groom

Chloe Groom

Related Articles

Where are they? Missing visas for Ukrainian refugees frustrate Lincolnshire communities
News

Where are they? Missing visas for Ukrainian refugees frustrate Lincolnshire communities

by Sarah-May Buccieri
May 12, 2022 - Updated on May 19, 2022
0

Across the country visas for the Homes for Ukraine scheme have been delayed. Since the scheme was established in March...

Love Island star gives Lincoln students valuable mental health advice
Health

Love Island star gives Lincoln students valuable mental health advice

by Joe Griffin
May 12, 2022
0

UK Youth Mental Health Ambassador and Love Island star, Dr Alex George, offered his top mental well-being tips on Lincoln...

Calorie counting when eating out is now law

May 12, 2022 - Updated on May 19, 2022

Safety at risk as figures reveal not enough doctors to go around with massive patient numbers in Lincolnshire

May 12, 2022 - Updated on May 18, 2022
lincoln cathedral

Lincolnshire hopes to attract thousands more visitors in 2022

May 12, 2022

The archaeological ‘glass ceiling’ is breaking

May 4, 2022
Next Post
New Lincoln Transport Strategy launched by Lincolnshire councils

New Lincoln Transport Strategy launched by Lincolnshire councils

MORE FROM LSJ NEWS

Lincolnshire hospital wait times almost double other hospitals in the country

May 13, 2022 - Updated on May 20, 2022
The Queen’s woodlands

The Queen’s woodlands

May 12, 2022 - Updated on May 14, 2022
Where are they? Missing visas for Ukrainian refugees frustrate Lincolnshire communities

Where are they? Missing visas for Ukrainian refugees frustrate Lincolnshire communities

May 12, 2022 - Updated on May 19, 2022
Love Island star gives Lincoln students valuable mental health advice

Love Island star gives Lincoln students valuable mental health advice

May 12, 2022

Climate anxiety: Fear of environmental doom weighs on shoulders of young people

May 12, 2022

TRENDING

  • Windmill

    Symbolism of windmills

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • “It’s A Scary Time” A Small Business in Lincolnshire Struggles with a Future of Uncertainty

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Lincoln City’s dramatic rise and their ambition to climb further

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • ‘We would be one of the last to go’ – Lincoln City chief

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • “We don’t think we’re going to find the answer, but it’s really fun looking for it!”

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
LSJ News

© 2021 LSJ News - Part of the School of English and Journalism at the University of Lincoln

Links

  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Arts and Entertainment
  • Business
  • Community
  • Politics
  • Science and Technology
  • TV
  • Magazine

Social Links

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Arts and Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Business
  • Community
    • Education
    • International
    • Viewpoint
  • Politics
  • Science and Technology
    • Environment
    • Health
  • TV
  • Magazine

© 2021 LSJ News - Part of the School of English and Journalism at the University of Lincoln

Welcome Back!

OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.