crit under the castle

Photo: Andy Gerrie

Crit Under The Castle

The closed road cycle extravaganza Crit Under The Castle hits Stirling city centre with a full day of competition including a men’s elite race and action from the British Youth Series.  Racing starts at 12.30pm and spectating is free.

After the success of the Scottish National Criterium Championships last year, the streets of Stirling are set to come alive once again as Stirling Bike Club host the 4th edition of the popular Crit Under The Castle, this year sponsored by Morrisons Jaguar.

Photo: Andy Gerrie

Photo: Andy Gerrie

Criterium road racing is an exciting format of cycle racing, held over a short course, usually in a city centre, affording a great spectacle and in a format designed to make the races short, fast and great to watch.

Today’s bicycle racing extravaganza takes place around the city centre of Stirling, with several different races taking place throughout the day and the under 14 and under 16 races forming part of the British Youth Series.  In the adult categories some of Scotland’s top riders will be racing to see who will become King and Queen of the Castle with equal prize funds for the men’s and women’s races.

The day begins at 12.30pm with the 4th Category Men and Junior races.  Then from 2.30pm it’s the turn of the U14s and U16s Girls and Boy races forming part of the aforementioned British Youth Series.

The racing entertainment continues into the evening with the women’s race starting at 7.20pm followed by the elite men at 8.10pm to decide who are the champions for 2017.  For a full schedule of races see below.

Spectators can walk all around the circuit and stand right at the side of the road to cheer on the cyclists as they race by.  The mile-

crit under the castle

Photo: Craig Manson

long closed road circuit starts at the Albert Halls and heads out around the tree-lined Kings Park area, before returning to the main pedestrian precinct, up a tricky cobbled climb on King Street, and then back to the Albert Halls.

For the first races the finish is back at the Albert Halls, but the Elite Men and Women’s races have a long steep climb all the way up to the finish on the Castle Esplanade. This gives a spectacular backdrop to end the day’s racing as the sun sets behind Stirling Castle.  For a detailed map of the race circuit see the Event website and click ‘logistics’.

The events village will be located in Dumbarton Road by the Albert Halls, a closed off area with stalls, attractions and live commentary.

Action starts at 12.30pm.

Admission is free to all spectators on the route.

Full schedule of races:

12:30 4th Category Men
13:20 Juniors
14:10 Under 14 Girls
15:20 Under 14 Boys
16:30 Under 16 Girls
17:55 Under 16 Boys
19:20 Women
20:10 Elite Men

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