Event organisers up and down the country are “optimistic” of a return to grassroots racing later this spring, but concerns remain about staffing and finances.
Racing has been largely absent since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, although some organisers managed to squeeze in short races with small fields last year.
With a raft of National Road Series races being cancelled and lockdown rules seemingly still some way from ending there appears to be little prospect for racing soon. But with cases of coronavirus steadily going down there is hope for the medium-term return to something approaching normality. Organisers say they’re ready to go.
Andy Cook, organiser of races in Wiltshire, told CW: “We are planning for it to happen. We could be very pessimistic about the future, and we could sit back and do nothing. But the trouble with that, of course, is that the door will suddenly open and everyone will try and rush through it. We’re trying to beat that.”
However, Chris Denman, organiser of the West Thames series, said that the year of cancellations and rescheduling had dented morale. “There’s a lot of extra work with cancellations and rescheduling, when you see people racing and you see the fans and the smiling faces, it’s worth it but when you don’t see that it feels like hard work,” he said.
Most organisers were hoping for a resumption of activity in April or May.
Many CW spoke to reported “healthy” calendars for the spring with the usual summer lull. “May and June are looking like there will be something most weekends,” said Brian Rigby, organiser of the Eddy Soens.
この記事は CYCLING WEEKLY の February 18, 2021 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は CYCLING WEEKLY の February 18, 2021 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike