McCann tops Lincoln GP entries

The 53rd Lincoln Grand Prix Cycle Race has received 175 entries, including seven times Irish National Champion Dave McCann. Britain's top riders will face the challenge of tough foreign competition with teams and riders from Ireland, The Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Sweden and South Africa amongst the line up for the 86 miles race on Sunday, May 11.

The British teams and individuals represent the very best of the British riders, making it difficult to pick a winner. The Downing brothers from Rotherham have been on the podium twice in the last three years, Malcolm Elliott is back again along with other previous winners, Chris Newton, Mark Lovatt and Kristian House.

The race starts from the Yarborough Leisure Centre at 10 AM and covers 11 laps of the circuit before finishing in Castle Square at around 1.30 PM, where the winners will be presented with their awards. The eight mile circuit takes the riders out of Lincoln, through Burton Village and its twisting tricky descent to the A57 and back towards Lincoln via Long Leys Road and West Parade before the difficult climb of Michaelgate to Castle Square.

The course includes Lincoln's tourist areas along Bailgate and passes through Newport Arch, Lincoln's third century Roman Gateway and one of the few remaining examples of Roman architecture which is still open to traffic, but not on Sunday, May 11 when the roads are closed for the safety of the riders in this classic race.

For more information see www.lincolngrandprix.org.uk