A capacity field will compete in Sunday’s annual Banbury Star Cyclists’ Club’s road races for both men’s and women’s races. The two races comprise three laps of the same demanding course, which includes three ascents of Edge Hill, making a total distance of 45 miles.
The route heads out from Banbury along the B4100 past Warmington, then along the side of MoD Kineton, before climbing up Edge Hill, which is a good vantage point. From Edge Hill there are some flat fast sections heading along the Stratford road and onto the back road into Horley.
The club has its biggest entry for many years with nine club members wearing the Star jersey (Mark Boyles, Lee Heron, Jonathan Ward, Simon Bull, Michal Wisowski, Blaine Carpenter, Chris Bull, Mike Gillett and Stuart Quick will compete) in the men’s race. A further club member, Peter Dumbreck, who has finished 2nd twice, will this time ride for the Shutt Ridley RT, along with former club president and past winner Luke Souter.
The men’s race, for British Cycling category 3 and 4 riders, sponsored by Banbury’s White Horse pub starts at 9.30am. It includes a King of the Mountains (KOM) competition, sponsored by Banbury Bike Box Hire, for the fastest combined time of the three ascents of Edge Hill.
The women take to the road at 1.30pm for what is round two of British Cycling’s Women’s Team Series, sponsored by Banbury’s Broadribb Cycles. They also have a QOM competition, sponsored by the Castle at Edge Hill, which the riders will pass. This event always attracts some of the country’s top up-and-coming young women riders, which in the past has included some future Olympic champions. Young Star club member Lydia Watts (Team 22) makes her first appearance in this tough event.
Marshals are still required, which will give you the chance to look out for the local Banbury Star riders in their blue and yellow shirts and give them a cheer. Please contact John Tustian at rideleader@banburystar.co.uk if you can help.