Location: Marks Tey Hotel, London Road, Colchester
Event: 2 September 2012
British Pro Teams including IG Markets-Sigma, Node 4 Giordana, Team Corley, Twenty3C-Orbea, Metaltek-Scot, Cycle Premier-Covert will be battling it out against other top notch up-and-coming riders in the Jef Schils Memorial Road Race on 2 September.
The 100-strong field for the 150km race rolls out of the Marks Tey Best Western Hotel at 2pm, making its way to two nearby loops of fine country roads around the Abberton reservoir just south of Colchester . Alternate laps of 20km and 10km will bring riders through the line by the Hare and Hounds country pub at Layer Breton every 30 and 15 minutes, treating spectators to nine VeloSchils Hot-Spot sprints. A beer tent, barbecue and the village pub, with live race commentary will build the authentic kermesse atmosphere as the action hots-up for the big finish at around 5-30pm.
Riders will be racing for top overall honours, sprint points and a considerable cash prize fund kindly put together by the Schils Family and its InterBike business, with the generous help of club riders and local sponsors.
Layer Breton village was badly hit by the famous Colchester earthquake of 1884 . Come along and watch things get shaken up on Sunday 2 September 2012.
Riders to watch
Without any doubt birthday boy Marcin Bialoblocki (NODE4 Giordana Racing ) will be seeking to add another win to quite a few top events this year; including the Torquay round of the Halford’s Tour Series and a stage of the AnPost Ras in Ireland (UCI 2.2 Elite). To help improve the odds Marcin brings NODE4 team-mates David Clarke, Rico Rogers (NZ), Matt Cronshaw, Pete Williams, Philip Lavery, James Sampson and Mike Northey
Dutch man Wouter Sybrandy (IG Markets-Sigma) would want to return back home with a better experience than his last visit to Colchester where in the Tour Series he dislocated his shoulder not once but twice before he had to abandon. He brings a strong team line-up of Jake Hales, Simon Gaywood, Steve Lampier and Andrew Griffiths – any one of whom could also take the win.
While NODE4 and IG Markets-Sigma will be seeking to pack the podium, there are other strong regional teams and solo riders with proven ability to win.
Last year’s winner who topped British National road rankings, Essex boy Jason White (Metaltek Scott) hasn’t been quite firing on all cylinders this year but could find top form in time to renew his title.
In form Belgian strong man Jeroen Das (Ludo Peeters Cycling Team) already with eight victories this year would certainly want to leave his mark. Jeroen was stagiare in the same team as Stijn Devolder, Johan Vansummeren and others, so he is one to watch.
Belgium’s Matti Stiens, Dieter Uyttersprot (Wielerteam Van Eyck Sport) Stijn Bruyndonckx (Rock Werchter) and Benjamin Rentmeesters (WK Noord West Brabant) all come with good form.
Cycle Premier - Covert are represented by Jamie Caldwell – second at the Eastern regionals, Will Bjergfelt – Southern regional champion, and Jon Mozely Billy-Joe Whenman (Team Hope Factory Racing) the adopted “Essex boy” is already in double figures and certainly would like to add this one to his tally.
Jef Schils was Belgian National Pro Champion and winner of Paris-Tours. You can read more about him in the online race programme which contains full race details and start list.
Come to Marks Tey and then on to Layer Breton just south of Colchester for a wonderful afternoon in the country with a great race atmosphere and lots going on.
