Claremont Sheffield Grand Prix

I had the great fortune to be asked to go to the Claremont Sheffield Grand Prix as a guest of Ken from Onimpex Bio Racer, the suppliers of our club kit.
I took the afternoon off work to make sure I could soak up the whole atmosphere of the build up and the n the racing, and took my oldest cycling buddy Ken with me.
We arrived and parked up in the City Centre, then wandered around to check out where the best possible locations to watch the race would be. We met up with Ken from Onimpex, and had a great chat about everything cycling! One of the reasons I chose to go to Ken for our kit is because he is such a nice guy, who always has time to chat, and share his knowledge, and experiences with you. It is not the usual service you get from a large multi national brand with many world champions wearing their kit!

Ken presented us with VIP passes. With the passes we had access to the hospitality area, which was great, but we were more excited as they also got us behind the barriers and into the thick of the action.

I will leave the race reporting to the experts, please follow the highlighted LINK to a full report from VeloUK, but I did take a few photos!

TV Crew getting ready

James McCallum Rapha JLT

Bio Racer are Sponsoring the Sportscover Team this year.

Roger Hammond talking to a race official

Chris and Ken from Onimpex 

Hannah Barnes in the National Jersey 

Friendly Racing. No pit crew for this rider so the Sportscover lads help out with a wheel change

The Numbers have to be just right!

Team Raleigh warming up

A very happy winner Helen Wyman

Pre race massage for Andy Tennant. Penny for your thoughts Dean?

Rapha JLT pre race chat.

Catalogue man? (sorry Ed!!)

Race Face?

John Herety Rapha Boss

I Wish!

Clancy on the move

Great Promotion for Bio Racer

Eventual Series winner George Atkins

Warm Down 

Real Race Face

Russell Downing in the National Jersey

The cause of Ed Clancy's retirement from the race

The Sprint starts

I won?

How did that happen!!! 

A happy Dean and less happy Russ and Graham Briggs. Back markers held up the sprint for the line making for a few heated discussions between team managers and  the organisers!!!

Still smiling even when his brother beats him!