The Barnsley Town Centre Races are the biggest event of their type in the country says the organiser after their third annual staging.
The final round of the National Circuit Series saw some of the best cyclists in the UK, including Barnsley-born Olympic gold medallist Ed Clancy, ride around the town centre streets. After youth and community races, the elite men’s and women’s events were broadcast live on British Cycling’s YouTube channel.
Organiser Chris Lawrence said: “I would be as bold as to say it is the biggest event of its type in the country. It’s a course which produces spectacular action. The feedback we have had from British Cycling, the riders and the spectators has been sensational and we’re very proud of the level of riders we are attracting.
“Rebecca Durrell won the women’s race then became national champion two days later while Matt Bostock, who won the men’s race in Barnsley, came third in the nationals. That shows the calibre we had at our event. The weather was quite bad for the first few races but, by the two televised events, it was much better and it turned into a pleasant evening. There was some very exciting racing and really good performances.”
The ‘Barnsley Crit’ is known as a technically difficult course, including several steep hills. Many of the riders in the men’s race, including three-time Olympic gold medalist Clancy, did not finish. Lawrence said: “Half of the field pulled out or retired due to the tough nature of the course and the fact that four riders pulled away from the group early on. Clancy was one of them, but it was good to have someone like him there.”
