Welcome to Colne
Colne is an historic town in North East Lancashire, host to the Colne Grand Prix and the Colne Blues Festival.
The town is steeped in history, some of the oldest buildings in the area are in Colne. The town is surrounded by astounding countryside, with roads ideal for cycling.
Please support Colne cafes, shops, pubs and businesses when you are in Colne, they are supporting your race.
20th Year Anniversary
2024 is 20 years since the first Colne Grand Prix, initiated by Brian Cookson OBE at the time of Pendle Council, who in later years became president of the UCI.
Getting to Colne and Parking
Getting to Colne
From the West, the M65 to Colne, then into the town.
On race night, as with any other event in Colne, the roads will be busy. Give yourself plenty of time as the last mile will take a while.
From the east, either the long way via the motorway, or via Keighley
From the north, via Skipton then into Colne.
Parking
The town centre roads that include the circuit and roads within the circuit will close at 3pm, also the A56 Church Street (shown as Albert Road on the map below) from New Market Street to the course.
There is NO parking within the course boundary.
There are a number of car parks in Colne. We encourage visitors to use car parks further down Albert Road and walk up the hill to the course.
The Course
The course is around the one-way system of the historic Colne town centre.
A thrilling and fast 830 metre course, with the riders passing every minute, its full on all the time.
Riders break away, riders are lapped, groups form and with determination the leaders race for the finish line near Dockray Street.
For your safety, the course has crowd barriers all the way round, please stay behind them.
There are three crossing points, with marshals who will tell you when its safe to cross.
Where to Watch
With our short course, its an easy walk all the way round and keep track of each race. Crowds gather in Market Street, and at the bends either end of the course.
The approach to the finish area tends to be crowded towards the end of each race, when riders are sprinting for the finish line, but anywhere is good to watch during the closing laps of each race.
Races and Categories
Open National Circuit Series Race
The Open National Circuit Series race is a National A race, open to Elite, 1st, 2nd ability categories. Open is non-female. The main UK road cycling teams enter their riders into these events.
The Series has specific British Cycling regulations that govern who can enter, the overall series points structure, the prize list and more.
Women’s National Circuit Series Race
The Women’s National Circuit Series race is a National A (Women’s) race, open to Elite, 1st, 2nd and 3rd category female riders. The main UK women’s road cycling teams enter their riders into the Women’s race.
There are riders from 5 UCI Continental women’s team entered: Saint Piran WRT, Doltcini O’Shea, DAS-Handsling Bikes, Alba Development Road Team and Pro-Noctis – 200 Degrees Coffee – Hargreaves
Contracting.
The Women’s series has specific regulations that govern the running of the event, similar to the Open(Men’s) series.
Youth Race
The Youth race has takes entries from two age categories as defined by British Cycling, for both girls and open (boys):
Under 16 (Youth A) and Under 14 (youth B)
The older Youth A riders are very able, some go onto National and International teams. Youth racing is by age category, not by ability.
Support Race
Many riders enjoy cycle racing at a Regional ability level which is very competitive. The support race is for these riders, many are more local than in the National race.
These riders may have been National level riders, or riders who just enjoy racing.
The Open(Men) support race is for ability categories 2nd, 3rd and 4th category riders, for the Women’s race 3rd and 4th categories.
Rules of Racing
General Road Racing Rules
All races are run under the British Cycling Regulations, contained in the BC Handbook. The National Series races have additional rules specific to the series.
The rules have a concept of “lapped riders”, where one or more riders are overtaken by a leading group. The riders overtaken are “lapped”, the riders overtaking are “lapping” riders. Lapped riders can be withdrawn by officials, and cannot interfere with the leaders. For the Youth and Support races, lapped riders are generally allowed to finish.
A lapboard will show from around 10 laps to go. A bell is rung for the leader at 1 lap to go. The race ends for all riders when the leading riders crosses the finish line with the chequered flag, that is irrespective of the number of laps riders may have completed. Some riders will be “laps down” on the leader at the finish.
Road Cycle Racing is not a physical contact sport, however there may be some touching if the bunch of riders is tight. It is also essential that riders “hold their line”, that is keep straight and not swerve into other riders especially in the finish sprint. Riders can and are disqualified for dangerous riding.
National Circuit Series Specific Rules
An important specific rule is the “Blue Flag” rule. At 3 laps to go, all lapped riders will sprint for the finish line and must then pull out of the race, they are given a finish position in the result. Within the last 3 laps, any riders about to be lapped will be shown a blue flag, to indicate that they must keep to the side and allow the leading riders past safely.