The list of events that are falling from the calendar this year keeps getting longer as the Cleethorpes Super Prix was also cancelled. It was expected that when the event kicked off, 10000 people from across the UK would turn up to cheer around 600 riders as they made their way around the course. However, the organisers have announced that they were unable to secure the required amount of money forcing them to cancel the highly anticipated event.
There were at least nine races that were scheduled to take place at the resort on the Sunday of September 17. The event was supposed to feature UK’s biggest prize fund and the circuit is well known for delivering an exciting and high-level competitive atmosphere complete with TV coverage and commentary. Some of the biggest names and teams in the world of cycle racing were expected to turn up and fly through Cleethorpes’ streets at speeds reaching 45 miles per hour.
There was also supposed to be a ‘festival of cycling’ apart from the scheduled racing events and this was to include autograph signing from the riders, street-food, a merchandise village and even a unique Ale prepared especially for the Super Prix.
Richard Stoodley from Velocity Events Ltd in Doncaster who is also the organiser of the event expressed his disappointment that it had to be cancelled. He stated that the cancellation was a blow to the area but it was inevitable since they couldn’t get the necessary level of funding to allow it take off despite the large number of riders, businesses and residents who were planning to turn up to show their support. He added that they were more disappointed when two major sponsors pulled out after pledging their support and this was heart break for the hundreds of riders and thousands of spectators who had already been looking forward to turning up on the day of the event.
In the event that they’ll be able to secure the necessary funding next year, Mr Stoodley is confident the event will be able to take place again. He believes the event was going to establish Cleethorpes as UK’s best Criterium event and he was still determined to get the right sponsors who will benefit from being associated with the event. Due to the prior cancellation of the Cleethorpes Carnival and the transfer of the British Fish Craft Championship to Billingsgate, the cancellation couldn’t have come at a worse time.