Leazes Criteriums | Event Information

Welcome to the 3rd 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 2007 is going to remain mainly unchanged. 

Go Ride Youth Races U12, U14, U16
The evening will start with races for youths in their own age categories. First race for U10/12's will start at 6pm prompt.

Entry Fees: £5 (£7 EOL if places available). Races limited to 30 per event. Cheques payable to Northern Rock Cyclone. All entries and payments must be sent to the organiser at least 3 weeks before the event. All riders must be a British Cycling members and hold a current licence or take out a day licence.

Go-Race
This will be followed by a race for novices. This race is for riders who do not hold a racing licence and have never raced in open competition. It is hoped that with the increase in sponsorship and profile of the event local celebrities may be enticed to compete.

Entry Fee £7. Cheques to be made payable to Northern Rock Cyclone and forwarded along with Entry Form to the Organiser at least 3 weeks before the event. There will be entry on the line (EOL) if a maximum of 50 riders have not applied before the event.

The approximate start time for this race will be 6.40pm. Riders wishing to compete are advised to register at  least half an hour before the event.

Senior Race (Category 2/3/4/Junior/Women)
This will once again be run over 40 minutes plus 5 laps and will be for 2nd, 3rd and 4th category riders. There will be primes and prizes for all categories of finishers.

Entry Fee £12 or £15 (EOL). There is a maximum of 60 for this race 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.

Elite Race (inc. Category 1)
The finale of the evening will once again be a one hour race for Elite and 1st Category riders. 2nd category riders will not be included in this event in 2007. They will compete in the senior race. 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.

The Elite race starts at 8.30pm but may be brought forward by 15 minutes to 8.15pm if light conditions are poor. Final presentations are due to be completed around 9.30pm

There have been some minor modifications made to the course for 2007 with the finish line being another 80metres further up the hill. This will ensure that the safety of the riders around the final bend before the sprint.

 It is hoped that some of our foreign based riders may be enticed to come over as they can compete on the Friday and again on the Sunday in the Beaumont Trophy. Commentary will once again be from Mike Smith the Eurosport Commentator.

Entry Fee £12 or £15 (EOL). Maximum field 60. UCI licence holders can compete in this event. Individual entries and team entries to event organiser with cheques made payable to Northern Rock Cyclone.

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.

Registration for the Saturday Sportive events will be carried out in Leazes Park on the Friday as well as on the Saturday morning at the Newcastle Falcons ground. 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.