By Gerry McManus
The historic town of Warwick in England has seen many battles in past centuries, and this Sunday sees 43-riders contesting the final counting event in the British Circuit Race Series only a short distance from Warwick Castle.
Malcolm Elliott has already secured the overall series victory, but his Plowman Craven team will be out to gain victory in the Travelwise sponsored event on a tight circuit in the town centre. The multiple corner circuit that goes through the Old Square may suit some riders more than others. 45 year-old Elliott will race with great confidence following his world masters road race championship victory in Austria and winning a silver medal in the points race at the world masters track championships in Manchester on Wednesday night. The former points jersey winner in the Tour of Spain gave a spanking to the youngsters too when he won the Bob Chicken GP in the streets of London before the Tour of Britain stage on September 3rd.
The Recycling.co.uk team have entered Sean Snodden, Evan Oliphant, Robin Sharman and Kristian House. The quartet will have their work cut out competing against a 7-man Plowman Craven team that includes Tony Gibb and James Taylor on top form as the recently crowned Madison champions of Great Britain.
Whilst the two top teams are watching each other it could be Rob Hayles (Team KLR) and Warrick Spence (London Dynamo) who benefit from any hesitation if the race becomes too tactical. Matt Stephens (Sigma Sport) is expected to make a late entry and his appearance will certainly help to shake things up.
The cycling event organised by the Rugby Sporting CC starts at noon with a trike race followed by racing for various categories during the day. The Women's Cycle Racing Association chose Warwick for their circuit race championship and their race starts at 14:45. The top billing Elite/1/2 race starts at 16:45 with the finish expected just before 18:00.
If you are there early, the Unicycle race could be worth going to at 14:00 just for the novelty value if nothing else.
