TLI Cycling

Former World Amateur Road race Champion Graham Webb represents TLI and LVRC interests at ICF meetings

Hi all,
 
After my visit to the last ICF meeting in Achtmaal on Saturday the 26th April , there is now an update on http://www.belgiancyclingselection.be/ including a map of the circuit, parking, accommodation and camp sites in the area.
 
The removal of the traffic bollards before the race has been approved by the town council. The first 200 meters of the race is neutralized, each race N° is black on a white background with the ICF logo in 4 different colors according to each category, two none returnable plastic jersey numbers plus one frame number. Don't forget to bring safety pins, we are buying some but better to bring your own. The circuit is traffic free but all lapped riders will be pulled out.
 
This year the racing committee at Achtmaal is celebrating it's 70th anniversary and have asked me to start the races, for which I'm very honored, but I'll only be able to do the first two races as after that I'll be too busy with paying out the prizes.
 
Regards,
 
Graham.

International Secretary Craig Stevens is prepared to do a block booking for TLI Cycling members wishing to ride the 2008 ICF World Road Race Championships at Achtmaal on 3rd August.

Entries should be sent to Craig at 12 Coolgardie Avenue, Chigwell, Essex. GY1 5AY on a standard TLI Cycling entry form with a s.a.e and fee of £6 - please note Date of Birth is essential - closing date July 4th 2008

Hi to all TLI riders and members,

May I first of all apologize for not being able to attend the 2007 ICF championships at Hilligem, I so much wanted to be there but my body decided otherwise.

Next years championships will be held at the small town of Achtmaal in Holland. I was well enough to be able to drive out there last Saturday, attend a meeting with the organizers and inspect the race circuit.

Driving to Achtmaal, from the direction of Ghent, you take the motorway to Antwerp, the E17, go under the JF Kennedy tunnel and join the Antwerp ring. From the ring you take the exit for Breda and follow the E19 until exit N° 1, Meer. Follow the signs to Zundert then on to Achtmaal. On a good day this journey from Ghent takes at least one hour, but allow more time as Zundert maybe busy at certain times of the day. There will be parking allowed for overnight campers at the football ground that will also serve as dressing room and showers on the race day. Signing on will be at café ‘De Toekomst’ opposite the start and finish, outside there is only room for the officials to park their cars, but parking for the riders will be provided. Hotel accommodation will be announced soon, I have asked the main organizer, Ad van Broekhove, to put accommodation details on his website at http://www.wielersitezundert.nl/ also a downloadable entry form and map of the circuit. On this site there are photos of the finishing straight.

The circuit will be completely traffic free, is quite flat and measures 8.25 kms per lap. The start and finish is quite narrow but the rest of the circuit has a normal road width with very few sharp corners. This club holds many races on this circuit, including this years Dutch championships, without any complaints. The +60 year old race will start at 09:00 and is 6 laps, 50 km. The +50’s race at 10:30, 8 laps, 66 km. The +40’s race at 12:30, 10 laps, 82.5 km. and the amateurs race at 15:00, 14 laps, 115.5 km. Pre race entry fee, through the TLI, is set at 6 Euros, on the day 11 Euros. Race numbers do not need to be returned after the race but riders must bring their own safety pins and frame N° attaching equipment. Rider’s third party insurance is not the responsibility of the organizers, and must be done through their own TLI federation. Prize money, spread over the four races is 1624 Euros.

I’m including photos that I made on Saturday, one of the 2008 starting line and one of the ICF committee in debate with the race organizers.

The 2009 championships will be held by the ECW federation of Guy Crasset in the French (hilly) speaking part of Belgium. 2010 will be at Ronse / Renaix by the WAOD, on the UCI  pro world championship circuit of  1963 with the climb of the ‘Kruisberg’! The option for the 2011 championships is still open to the TLI / LVRC. I have suggested holding these championships on the Deal circuit, though it is a bit short the ICF have not swept it from the table (pending inspection). All we need now is someone to organize it all at a level that the TLI / LVRC can be proud of.

Graham Webb, Belgium.