On May the 4th 2014 Exeter Wheelers are once again promoting our prestigious road race the Tom Hawkins Spring Classic. This stellar event, a sparkle in many a top riders palmares, has always been an early season highlight the South West. This year rather then opening the spring campaign we’ve decided to close it. To celebrate, we’ve added another lap to the race, making it 9 laps and 110 km of fine racing.

The tried and tested course takes in a mix of technical Devon lanes, fast downhills and a long climb out of Somerset on the A38. In previous years this race has seen a bit of everything; rouleurs romping to victory, barodeurs belting along in breaks and hell for leather bunch sprints. The technical sections in the closing kilometres, and a small kick before the finish, ensures no race is decided until the last 50 meters. Our marshals noses have only just thawed out from last years snow, so fingers crossed for seasonal May sunshine this year.

Race HQ will be Magelake Pavilion hall in Uffculme. The hall has good facilities with plenty of parking, sizable changing rooms, showers and a kitchen so we can provide our first rate tea and cake services throughout (coffee will also be available). If you are bringing a support team they might be interested to know there are some good pubs in the area where one can shelter from the blistering sun, enjoy a chilled beverage and await the race conclusion in comfort.

A neutral service car will be provided by Exeter Wheelers, it would be nice if you the rider could help stock it. So please bring a spare wheel or two that you’d be happy to race on if needed.


SELECTION CRITERIA

Rider selection criteria will be according to BC recommendations, specifically; 
1st priority: Competent promoting club riders
2nd : Competent SW riders
3rd: Competent riders from outside the SW
4th: In-experienced riders. 

Points from this year’s results should be considered as a good indicator of competency in this season. Priority may be given to competent team entries.

Riders will be selected after the closing date, we will endeavour to inform riders of their selection as soon as possible after this date. 

Info for Riders

On May the 4th 2014 Exeter Wheelers are once again promoting our prestigious road race, the Tom Hawkins Spring Classic. This stellar event, a sparkle in many a top riders palmares, has always been an early season highlight the South West. This year rather then opening the spring campaign, we’ve decided to close it. To celebrate, we’ve added another lap to the race, making it 9 laps, 110 km of fine racing. HQ in Uffculme is less than 3 miles from Junction 27 of the M5. Tiverton Parkway train station is just by Junction 27, so if you want to get the train it’s only a short ride over to HQ. Magelake Pavilion hall is on the east side of the village just over the river, you can’t miss it. Please arrive promptly; sign on closes at 10am, riders must be at the rider's briefing. There is a 5km neutralised section to reach the course, we will be planning on starting the race on time at 10:30 on the course. You can check out the course here; http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/349528807