22 great pictures capture the magic as families and cyclists enjoy Sheffield cycling grand prix

Sheffield city centre was transformed into a cycling track, as the city’s cycling grand prix took to the streets this week.

Riders of all ages and abilities took part in the event, with a community track ride kicking things off before the serious cycling began.

The Star captured the community ride in pictures, as dozens of enthusiastic riders took to the 1.4km course, which started and finished at Pinstone Street, outside Sheffield Town Hall.

The Sheffield Youth Cycling Club was the first on the start line, just ahead of Olympic cyclist Ed Clancy, who joined the amateurs for their circuit, which was open to them for 25 minutes.

Ed described it as the best race in the UK.

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The event, now in it’s 12th year forms part of the British Cycling National Circuit Race Series and traditionally attracts the UK’s top teams and riders to race.

This year’s route was a reworked 1.4km circuit, running anti-clockwise, which climbed up from the Crucible Theatre, up Norfolk Street, onto the cobbles and joining Surrey Street before starting and finishing outside Sheffield Town Hall.

Ed Clancy said before the riders set off: “Thanks everyone for turning up Thanks to the organisers for once again sticking on one of the greatest races in the UK. It’s without doubt the best sport in the world and you’ll see that tonight. There’s no where else you can come and see some of the best racing for absolutely nothing.

“I think it brings a lot of pride in place to the city of Sheffield - and it’s a great way of getting to and from work!”

Those who had ridden into Sheffield to join the community ride explained why they were taking part.

Lewis Harvey, from Walkley said: “I’m quite excited to ride around town when there’s no traffic - it will be good. This is my first time.”

As a cyclist he said he was more of a commuter than anything else, although he also liked to take a ride out in the Peak District.

Another local rider, Liam Brighton, said “I’m looking forward to doing the community ride. I’ve always been a big part of these races and I’ve been coming to them for about 15 years. I like being part of the communty and a bit of exercise.”

He was rooting for Thomas Mein to win the race on the evening.

Stannington mum Jo Searle was beaming with pride after seeing her daughter, Sophie, ride as one of a group of riders from Sheffield Youth Cycling Club, who were placed at the front of the starting line for the community ride.

Jo teaches cycling all across Sheffield through Bikeability and is a keen cyclist herself.

She said: “I thought it was going to be a nice calm community ride, really slow, and it was a lot faster then I expected. It was actually really exciting and it was good fun - I loved it.”

Sophie, who wants a job involving cycling when she leaves school, said she rated the experience as 10 out of 10.

Schwalbe Women's Sheffield Grand Prix

1 Katie Scott

2 Aoife O'Brien

3 Jenny Holl

Grasscrete Open Sheffield Grand Prix

1 Oliver Wood

2 Aaron King

3 Thomas Mein

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