A new bicycle racing club “Cotswold Veldrijden” has been started covering the Gloucestershire and Wiltshire area, team members will concentrate on cyclocross racing in the Wessex and National League series but as cyclocross is seasonal, riders will also compete in road and circuit racing, time trials and mountain bike events. (Veldrijden being the Flemish word for cyclocross).

Cyclocross started in the mid 20th century as a winter training discipline and has grown into a major sport with thousands of followers in Belgium, the Netherlands and other parts of Europe. It is also the fastest growing cycling discipline in the USA. The sport is particularly attractive to families as young riders can learn skills and gain fitness in the security of closed circuits often in sports fields and parks.

The club kit has been designed to reflect the National team colours of Belgium the home of cyclocross and the club was formed by a group of riders and friends from various local clubs who regularly competed against each other in local events without team support. The club has attracted 30 local riders and the main aim of the club is to promote the sport, to help all the team members improve and to support them during their races, as there are riders from all age categories all with varying degrees of knowledge and expertise.

The new club was formally launched in the Cotswolds’ on Sunday, 9 September when the 30 members were present for a photo shoot and team reception.

The first event members will be racing is at Cowley in Oxford on 15th September, the first round of the Wessex league. Round 2, a Swindon RC promotion is the following week at Lydiard Park on Sunday, 23 September. Then some members venture up North the following week and race in the Three Peaks Cyclocross race, whilst some will compete in Round 3 at Poole.

Anyone interested in supporting the club please let us know.

Website:    www.laatste-ronde.cx

Contact:   Andy Smith

Email:  claireandandy2002@yahoo.co.uk