Race Information 2009

Welcome to the 48th edition of the Eddie Soens Memorial Cycle Race. 

View Course Plan

Race Headquarters

The race headquarters are located at:

Kirkby Leisure Centre, Cherryfield Drive, Westvale, Kirkby, Merseyside L32 8SA.  Tel: 0151 443 4404

GPS co-ordinates: 53° 28' 45.4" N   2° 53' 02.6" W  

This is located off Junction 6 of the M57 motorway (map) and is approximately 1 mile from the site of the former Kirkby Sports Centre. It will be open from 7.30am and has car parking and limited changing/shower facilities. Bikes are NOT allowed inside the Leisure Centre building.

Signing On

The signing on control is at the race headquarters and is open from 7.30am to 8.55am. You must present your 2009 racing licence which will be retained until the finish of the event and returned on receipt of your race numbers. Youth A riders must also present their BC Dispensation Card (BC TR 6.2.7.4). British Cycling members and non members may purchase a single event licence if required (cost £10 non BC member, £5 BC Bronze member, Free BC Gold & Silver members). If you have not pre-entered you may do so at a cost of £15.00

Junior and Youth A competitors must have their gear checked before signing on (Junior: 7.93m, Youth A: 6.93m).

Race Numbers

You will be issued with a double body number which must be worn unfolded and a shoulder number which must be worn on the RIGHT shoulder. 

Getting to the course

The Aintree Club Circuit is approximately 3 miles from the race headquarters (map). Follow the green ‘To the course’ arrows which mark the route. You must arrive at the course no later than 9.15am to allow the race to begin on time, therefore we recommend that you leave the headquarters no later than 9.00am.

Access and parking

Enter the circuit via Anchor Bridge gate (arrowed) in Melling Road. Note that there is no access via the Golf Course entrance gates. The only vehicles permitted on the circuit are those whose drivers have appropriate accreditation. All other vehicles - including those of riders and spectators - must park as directed in the area indicated on the course plan. There will be no exceptions to this.

Spectators

Spectators are only permitted in the area shown on the course plan. All other areas, including the whole of the Golf Course are strictly out of bounds. Any violation could jeopardise our future use of the circuit. Only persons with the appropriate accreditation are permitted in the start/finish area shown on the course plan.

Race Regulations

The race will be run under the current technical regulations of the British Cycling Federation. Please note the following regulations which are specific to this event.

Training/Warming Up

Competitors may ride on the circuit between 8.30am and 9.15am. After this time riding around the circuit is not permitted. This is to allow the circuit to be secured and competitors to be formed into their appropriate starting groups so that the event can start on time. Riders found riding on the circuit after 9.15am may be subject to disciplinary action.

The Start

The race is run on a handicap basis and riders should assemble at the start in the appropriate group according to their category: 

The race will cover 30 laps (49.2 miles/81 km). Each lap is 1.64 miles/2.65 km and the course profile is flat.

Lapped riders

Except for women, individual lapped riders must retire and remove their race numbers. In the event of a leading group of riders lapping the main field, the riders being lapped must follow the commissaires instructions. During this time, racing in the main group will be neutralised and the riders moved to the side to allow free passage of the leading group and associated race vehicles. Riders lapped in this way may continue in the race but must not aid the leading group in any way.

Race Service

The race organisation will provide neutral service vehicle(s) whose position in the race will be under the control of the Chief Commissaire. Riders may also receive service in the pits area located beyond the start/finish area. There are no laps out allowed on this circuit unless, at the Chief Commissaire's discretion, it is deemed that the surface is affected due to extreme weather conditions (BC TR 20.3.3).

Podium Presentation

There will be a presentation to the first three finishers immediately after the finish of the race and confirmation of the result. Riders required for the presentations must report to the presentation co-ordinator in the start/finish area without delay. Riders appearing on the podium must wear their appropriate club/team colours and without sunglasses and/or baseball-type caps. The winning rider must wear the race winners jersey provided by the race organisation which will be presented on the podium. Junior & Youth A riders who complete the event must report immediately after the finish for a gear check or be subject to disqualification.

All other prizes for category awards will be forwarded to the recipients by post following confirmation of the full result.

Result

A full result will be posted here on the official event website as soon as possible after it is confirmed.

Licence/Number Return

 Licences will be returned on receipt of race numbers at the race headquarters following the finish of the event.

 Officials Briefing

There will be a briefing for all race commissaires and drivers at 8.45am at the race headquarters.

Communications

All race communication will be by means of CB Radio. There will be separate channels for commissaires and race organisation and these will be advised at the Officials Briefing.