Northern Rock Cyclone festival

Big time cycling returns again to the northeast of UK in 2007 with the launch of the Northern Rock Cyclone festival of cycling, held over the weekend of June 15 to 17. Peter Harrison, the organizer Newcastle Leazes Criteriums last June, is very happy to announce that the event in 2007 will be expanded into a whole weekend of cycle events due to a sponsorship deal with Northern Rock, which secures the event for the next three years.

Secondary sponsorships have also been secured with Ultimate Pursuits/Shimano, Newcastle City Council, Jennings and SIS. There are also partnerships with Northumberland County Council, Air Cadets, Newcastle University and other organisations all of whom will ensure that the whole weekend flows smoothly.

The weekend starts with the successful formula of 2006 with Criterium racing for all ages and abilities in Leazes Park, Newcastle. The prize fund for the elite category race is being increased for 2007 to ensure that it remains a rich evening. There will be refreshments, trade stands and music plus commentary on the racing from Mike Smith, the Eurosport Commentator. The youth races were one of the early evening highlights in 2006, and the organiser is expecting an increase in entries for 2007.

On Saturday morning the whole event moves to Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club, Kingston Park on the outskirts of Newcastle. This will be the start and finish for three rides of 31 miles, 62 miles and 100 miles that designed to suite all ages and abilities. Included in the days events will be a "Go ride" event organised by coaches from British Cycling and Newcastle City Council. This will be a skills competition for all ages and it is hoped there will be an inter schools competition with a trophy awarded to the winning school.

The finale of the whole weekend's events will be the Beaumont Trophy Premier Calendar road race based 11 miles from Newcastle City Centre, in the village of Stamfordham. The cream of British riders will contest a race of 105 miles, with 3 primes and 5 hot spot sprints throughout the race. The first three circuits include the ascent of the Ryals, just outside Ryal village, before going onto a smaller finishing circuit. In total the race will pass through the start and finish of Stamfordham six times.

The prize fund is expected to be in excess of £6000.