Gold Medal Winner To Compete in Tomorrow’s High Street Bike Races

Published on: 9 Jul, 2013
Updated on: 10 Jul, 2013

Guildford Town Centre Cycle Races in 2012 – photo courtesy Guildford Borough Council

The best of the British cycling scene will descend on Guildford tomorrow (Wednesday, July 10) for the 27th running of its now iconic ‘cobbled’ street bike races.

The short but ultra tough course, on Guildford’s granite setted High Street, provides the perfect arena for epic cycling battles and, according to the organisers, our historic market town of Guildford, nestled in the Surrey hills, provides the perfect backdrop.

Joanna Rowsell MBE, Olympic Gold Medallist

This year Guildford based cycling club Charlotteville CC are honoured to welcome Olympic gold medallist Joanna Rowsell MBE. Jo, originally born in Surrey, is currently riding as a professional for the Wiggle-Honda team and was recently crowned national time-trial champion.

Jo will be escorted on a parade lap of the circuit by the Charlotteville Rascals junior section at 6pm.

Later in the evening Jo will compete in the inaugural Gold-i ‘Gold Rush’ where she will have to contend with the country’s finest female crit. rider Hannah Barnes.

Alexie Shaw

Also in the mix are previous winner and local legend Natalie Creswick and in form Alexie Shaw.

After the dust has settled on the women’s race and the night draws near the men will have their chance of glory in the Colbornes Elite Criterium. This promises to be one of the fiercest fought races of the year. Team Raleigh are sending a six-strong-squad headed by Tom ‘Scud’ Scully.

Tom ‘Scud’ Scully

Scully is on a winning streak after claiming the overall Sprinters prize at the recent tour series and victory at the London Nocturne taking the scalp of Alex Dowsett in the process.

Local favourite and previous winner Wouter Sybrandy will look to claim the crown he holds so dear after a superhuman come back from a career threatening crash last year.

As if the race needed more excitement there are the two dominant local teams of Pedal Heaven and Felt-Colbornes who field a combined 14 riders and engage in a fierce rivalry. Expect sparks to fly!

To complete the evening’s entertainment there are the Chapters Financial youths races and the Cycleworks ‘Local Heroes’ race.

Complete programme: