"This year’s Archer Grand Prix promises to be one of the most competitive ever," says race organiser Stuart Cook of the classic 115-mile cycle road race to be held for the 52nd year on Sunday, 15 April. "Every major team in the UK has entered so it is likely to be very tactical with team attacking team, while a few star individuals have also been accepted such as Rob Hayles, Scot Gamble, Alex Dowsett, Mark Wordsworth and BC private members, Dave Clarke and Martin Ford. The race also sees the return this year of riders such as the Downing brothers, Dean and Russell riding for different teams."
One favourite for the race is likely to be New Zealander Gordon McCauley riding for the Plowman Craven/Evans team, which also sponsors the hill climbing competition for the leaders at the top of Whiteleaf and Longdown hills. He has just returned to the UK having won the Archer International GP in both 2000 and 2001. But John Tanner, also a double winner in 1997 and 2005, leads a very strong Sportscover/Planet X team which also features hard man Wayne Randle, while Malcolm Elliott, second last year in Plowman Craven colours, this time leads an equally strong Pinarello team which also features his ex-ANC partner Adrian Timmis.
