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Bicycle racing on GP and other race tracks (merged)


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#201 IanMH

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Posted 11 October 2011 - 19:45

Not a Grand Prix track!! Knockhill circa 1988

Posted Image

The rider with the white helmet and black specs on the 2nd row is Stewart Roden FF1600/FF2000 racer...the first few events were run in the racing direction ( clockwise ) , the run through Duffus down to the chicane was deemed to be too fast and unsafe... subsequent events were run anti-clockwise and were deemed to be too hard for criterium races!!.. I can tell you from painful experiences that the run from the dip after the chicane up through Duffus to the startline was brutal!! and it just broke up the racing too much.... racing was discontinued shortly after. Crit racing still takes place to this day on the old Ingliston circuit.

Cheers Ian :wave:

Edited by IanMH, 11 October 2011 - 19:50.


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#202 Graham Clayton

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Posted 18 January 2012 - 08:56

The 2nd stage of the 2012 Tour Down Under started in the main street of Lobethal, which was also part of the 1939 Australian Grand Prix track.

#203 Bernard

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Posted 12 June 2012 - 23:13

Just received my Tour de France guide 2012 and it looks like on Stage 8 they DESCEND down from Les Rangiers to St Ursanne the road used for the hill climb of the same name Have a trip up, the motorway bridge was absent when I attended 40 or so years ago

http://www.youtube.c...ser/jonasmagnin

#204 Bernard

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Posted 02 March 2013 - 09:22

http://www.directvel...0x600/24603.jpg Today !

#205 scheivlak

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Posted 02 March 2013 - 22:23

Finish of the 1989 TdF stage at Spa Francorchamps
Notice how the cyclists take the circuit in the other direction - climbing the Kemmel straight from Les Combes and then diving down from the Raidillon towards Eau Rouge and then finishing on the old start/finish line from the other side!

And like in 1970, a Mexican won.

#206 Michael Ferner

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Posted 03 March 2013 - 11:22

Many thanks for this trip down memory lane, to the days when I still loved this sport! (And also, quite incidentally, a reminder of the times when one could "not use Luxembourg money in Belgium" :D) I picked the famous Alpe D'Huez stage from the menue afterwards, to relive another cherished memory, although one can't but be suspicious about the past of the sport these days, too. Inevitably perhaps, those "comeback rides" leave a bad taste in my mouth ever since Floyd Landis in 2006... :(

Edited by Michael Ferner, 03 March 2013 - 16:08.


#207 uechtel

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Posted 04 March 2013 - 09:51

OT but probably of interest to mention another kind of "unmotor"sport racing at a very traditional circuit, the 24 heures rollers

http://www.24rollers.com/en/

Or where else can you still see a true "Le Mans Start" these days?

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#208 Jean L

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Posted 04 March 2013 - 10:33


Montlhéry saturday & sunday :

https://picasaweb.go...eat=directlink#

https://picasaweb.go...eat=directlink#

http://www.monalbum.fr/Album=FCUPSXKV

http://www.i-service...mp;pgi=0#is_top

#209 Bernard

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Posted 07 March 2013 - 08:35

Montlhéry saturday & sunday :

https://picasaweb.go...eat=directlink#

https://picasaweb.go...eat=directlink#

http://www.monalbum.fr/Album=FCUPSXKV

http://www.i-service...mp;pgi=0#is_top


Excellent pics Jean L ,sad to see a legendary club like ACBB down at the back of the grid as it were

#210 Michael Oliver

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Posted 07 March 2013 - 14:09

In the 1980s, I used to race bicycles every Tuesday night in the summer at Crystal Palace, although we used a much abbreviated circuit and went the 'wrong' way round what part of the motor racing circuit we did use...

I also rode a professional race at Donington in, I believe, 1987. We were supporting a major motorcycle race so you can imagine that the spectacle paled alongside 150mph motorbikes, not to mention the shaven-legged, lycra-clad cyclists not really impressing the hairy, leather-clad motorcyclists who made up most of the crowd!

I have a vague recollection of also racing at Brands Hatch but recall it as not being at all enjoyable, as I wasn't good on hills...

I was there at Goodwood in 1982 for the World Championship, too (although not as a competitor, but a spectator!). Found the event programme on a recent visit to my Dad's house, too. Managed to sneak into the finishing area to see Giuseppe (spl?) Saronni win the rainbow jersey. And a Brit (Mandy Jones) won the women's world title, too!

Edited by Michael Oliver, 07 March 2013 - 14:09.


#211 Jean L

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Posted 24 March 2013 - 11:10

Excellent pics Jean L ,sad to see a legendary club like ACBB down at the back of the grid as it were



:) Yep,
Montlhéry 1984, JeanL under the famous ACBB-Peugeot jersey !

http://www.heberger-...tlh_ry_1984.jpg[/IMG][/URL][/img]



Today, Volta a Catalunya / Tour de Catalogne at Montjuïc ( 7 laps at the end of the stage).

http://www.voltacata...ca/encarrera/7/




#212 Mihai

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Posted 18 October 2013 - 12:52

Not a GP track, but a mountain road occasionally used for hillclimb & rally racing in Romania: the (in)famous Transfagarasan that fascinated the TopGear lads back in 2009.

 

A few years ago, multiple Formula 2 race winner Mihai Marinescu descended aggressively the Transfagarasan on his Trek road racing bike. The onboard film was an instant hit on the Internet :

 

http://ciclist.wordp...transfagarasan/



#213 alansart

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Posted 18 October 2013 - 15:33

OT but probably of interest to mention another kind of "unmotor"sport racing at a very traditional circuit, the 24 heures rollers

http://www.24rollers.com/en/

Or where else can you still see a true "Le Mans Start" these days?

diaporamaHome-4.jpg

 

This year they did it the right way round with cycles   :)

 

Le-Mans-start-1.jpg

 

Le-Mans-start.jpg


Edited by alansart, 18 October 2013 - 15:35.


#214 wsp77

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Posted 18 October 2013 - 18:34

I have been a great fan of F1 ever since I can remember and just started to follow cycling regularly a couple of years ago, the main reason was Marco Pantani and my own little biking tours with my friends. I got hooked. Now Pantani isnt riding anymore, but I still watch the Giro and the Tour almost everyday.

Today ARD was showing some pictures from the old Nurburgring where the cycling world championships took place, propably in the 60s. Rudi Altig won the race. I got the impression that the Nurburgring was also a legendary route for the bikers, not only for motor racing. Then I remembered that the Circuit de Catalunya was home of the cycling race of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Can you guys give a few more examples of grand prix tracks, that also hosted cycle racing?

Hi everyone  :wave:

 

I acquired an old 1957 autograph album not long ago and inside were many autographs from racing drivers competing at Snetterton, which was not a GP circuit. However on a few pages there were also some cycling autographs with the inscription '..5 miles NCU Eastern CC Championships...Snetterton 1957' Most are quite hard to decipher unfortunately. Were these guys well known riders?

  • Peter Woodhouse
  • Peter Atkins
  • ? Dunleath ?
  • ? G F Coles ?
  • ? M Young ?
  • ? A Cook ?

Regards



#215 Jean L

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Posted 25 December 2013 - 12:13

 
 
  Zolder tomorrow, UCI Cyclocross World Cup
 
  Women: 1:30pm CET (7:30am U.S. Eastern)
 
  Men: 3:00pm CET (9:00am U.S. Eastern)
 
  UCI Channel livestream Women's and Men's races (available in most countries) here:  

Edited by Jean L, 25 December 2013 - 13:13.


#216 BRG

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Posted 11 March 2014 - 19:57

Today's stage of the Paris-Nice finished on the Magny Cours GP circuit, run the wrong way round for some reason.  Despite the width, some riders still seemed to struggle with the track limits!



#217 Graham Clayton

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Posted 10 May 2014 - 07:59

 The Winstone’s Cycling Criterium held at Levin on Monday, Sept. 29, 1969:

 

1979.137.0847_large.jpg?1176715268

 

 

http://horowhenua.kete.net.nz/image_files/18222/1979.137.0847_large.jpg?1176715268



#218 Cavalier53

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Posted 12 December 2015 - 09:09

For years, the Boxing Day Zolder cross is on the calendar for one of the 3 (!) Belgian cycle cross championships.

 

Tomorrow, the first cycle cross event will take place in Spa Francorchamps. A great course has been laid out, starting from the exit of the 24h pits, climbing the Raidillon, return through the outside fields to the tunnel to cross the Eau Rouge stream (again), meandering through the infield at Raidillon, the paddock area and the infield from Blanchimont to the former busstop.

 

Great footage of a 10 min on-board lap is on youtube. Find it googling for "parcoursverkenning Francorchamps" and enjoy climbing Raidillon on youtube!

 

Like virtually any cycle cross event the race will be broadcast live on Flemish Belgie Een on sunday 15:00 CET.



#219 Vitesse2

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Posted 15 January 2017 - 14:39

1939: Hans Stuck on a bicycle, going up La Turbie somewhat slower than he had managed in his Auto Union! This appears to have been a celebrity event - Wimille also took part.

 

Stuck_bicycle_La_Turbie.jpg

 

Source: l'Auto, April 19th 1939, p1.



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#220 Lee Nicolle

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Posted 16 January 2017 - 09:24

The TDU was racing around part of the Adelaide Parklands circuit last night.  Evidently a destination well avoided.

I watched Pakistan beat the Aussies on TV. Far more interesting!


Edited by Lee Nicolle, 24 July 2021 - 23:14.


#221 timbo

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Posted 17 January 2017 - 19:31

As Sydney Motorsport Park, the Waratah Masters Cycling Club holds cycle races on the full GP circuit about once a month. They start early in the morning and racing is wrapped up by 9am when the days motorised activities are able to start.



#222 TennisUK

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Posted 18 January 2017 - 23:01

I managed a solo 25mph average from tetre rouge round to the Porsche curves a couple of years back. Which doesn't really count, but I was quite happy with myself!

#223 Cavalier53

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Posted 19 March 2017 - 21:00

Some footage of the 1959 Zandvoort World Championships (amateurs, and pro's the next day) can be found here, with Dutch commentary:

The laps include the circuit as well as a section in the village.
 
Note the riders finish in the wrong direction, because they started in the wrong direction.....



#224 Michael Ferner

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Posted 19 March 2017 - 23:04

In a flat country like Holland, the Hunzerug is ​hors catégorie...  :D



#225 Cavalier53

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Posted 27 June 2017 - 18:03

Indeed, must be around 7-10 %, although there are completely wrong data in Strava (again in the opposite direction....)
 
In the right direction for once: July 3 the Tour the France will take the Raidillion, and via Les Combes to Stavelot (and then the faux plat to Vielsalm) - from the Spa website:
On Monday, July 3, the Riders of the Tour de France take the famous Raidillon in the Verviers-Longwy stage.Caravan and runners will enter through the source to leave the circuit at Blanchimont.

 

I remember the pleasure doing the Les Combes to Stavelot section by bicycle many moons ago, enjoying the perfect line with so little effort :)

 

Jan.



#226 LittleChris

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Posted 27 June 2017 - 19:27

via Les Combes to Stavelot

 

Wonder whether they'll take the Masta kink flat :D 



#227 Cavalier53

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Posted 28 June 2017 - 06:03

Chris, I'm sure they'll take the new downhill section from Les Combes to the new Stavelot corner (Blanchimont gate), so taking the Masta kink at any speed would be a highly illegal shortcut :)



#228 E1pix

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Posted 28 June 2017 - 07:30

I only ever entered one bicycle race, in 1974 when Donnybrooke re-opened as Brainerd International Raceway. The new owner was a lifetime Hero and friend (until he got us involved in a slipshod investment 32 years later, but that's another story...). He himself convinced me to race as he knew I had a girlfriend 29 miles away and rode round-trip there nearly every day that summer.

My bike was pretty standard, 29 lbs. and nothing great. I won my 13-16 year-old class by almost two minutes, doing the three miles in 5:51. Only one adult was faster of the 50+ entrants.

I was 13 and won a $75 gift certificate at a Minneapolis bike shop, which bought a lot back then. I wanted to race after that, but my old man was cheap, so three years on I raced a kart with helmet painting money.

And just now I realize today's that girlfriend's birthday...

#229 BRG

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Posted 29 June 2017 - 21:31

During the recent Giro d'Italia, they held a time trial which started on the Monza circuit at the exit from the Parabolica, ran a full lap and into the pit lane then under a tunnel to exit the track and head off towards Milano.



#230 scheivlak

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Posted 03 July 2017 - 11:21

 
In the right direction for once: July 3 the Tour the France will take the Raidillion, and via Les Combes to Stavelot (and then the faux plat to Vielsalm) - from the Spa website:
On Monday, July 3, the Riders of the Tour de France take the famous Raidillon in the Verviers-Longwy stage.Caravan and runners will enter through the source to leave the circuit at Blanchimont.

 

 

https://twitter.com/...831499166822400



#231 scheivlak

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Posted 15 May 2018 - 21:56

Now on Eurosport: Tour of California stage 3, finish at Laguna Seca in 20 minutes or so http://live.cyclingnews.com/



#232 BRG

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Posted 16 May 2018 - 18:56

And the first stage of the Tour of California used the Long Beach pitlane (in the wrong direction) as part of a 12 lap circuit.



#233 DogEarred

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Posted 16 May 2018 - 20:59

Stage 13 of the Giro d'Italia finishes on the Imola circuit tomorrow.

#234 Michael Ferner

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Posted 13 July 2021 - 16:28

Le Tour finished at Saint Gaudens today, and if the commentator is to be believed it was on the Circuit des Comminges - looked mighty narrow to my eyes! :eek:

 

 

Ah, but the best thing if you closed your eyes during the winner's interview you could believe it was Niki Lauda! :lol:


Edited by Michael Ferner, 13 July 2021 - 16:29.


#235 BRG

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Posted 13 July 2021 - 17:31

Le Tour finished at Saint Gaudens today, and if the commentator is to be believed it was on the Circuit des Comminges - looked mighty narrow to my eyes! :eek:

 

I have taken a squint at the maps and it does look as if they followed the circuit for the last 3 or so kms of the stage.  Many roads will have been rebuilt and made narrower to accommodate wider sidewalks.



#236 70JesperOH

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Posted 13 July 2021 - 17:36

Not so long ago I had access to late 1960s newspaper scans. Looking for Danish racing at the time, I was surprised to learn the three tarmac circuits in excistense at the time all at one time or another had a race for bicycles on the programme among regular car racing programmes. There were even stand alone bicycle meetings a few times during this period, but it didn't caught on. On a racetrack the bicycles simply lacked the noise and speed of the cars and the sole bicycle meetings had alarmingly few spectators - something like 300 on one occation!

 

The reason for mixing bicycles with car racing was the notion that with increasing number of cars and traffic on the roads, there would soon be no room for the traditional bicycle road races. Half a century later this profecy does not seem to have materialised much...

 

Jesper OH



#237 Doug Nye

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Posted 13 July 2021 - 19:05

Today's Tour Stage 16 ended on the climb up the well-named Avenue Rene Dreyfus past the old Comminges circuit grandstand terracing at St Gaudens - as here on the wonderful Google Earth Street View.

 

And tomorrow - Pau...

 

DCN

 

Screenshot-2021-07-13-at-20-02-07.png


Edited by Doug Nye, 13 July 2021 - 19:16.


#238 RS2000

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Posted 13 July 2021 - 20:11

Most will probably be  overnighting in or near Pau tomorrow for the stage start from there Thursday. Tomorrow 's stage finish is at top of the Col du Portet.

 

A few years ago David Millar admitted in commentary that he'd had no idea what an attractive place Pau was. All he'd seen of it whilst competing was an industrial estate and a concrete motel.



#239 LittleChris

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Posted 13 July 2021 - 21:01

Today's Tour Stage 16 ended on the climb up the well-named Avenue Rene Dreyfus past the old Comminges circuit grandstand terracing at St Gaudens - as here on the wonderful Google Earth Street View.

 

And tomorrow - Pau...

 

DCN

 

Screenshot-2021-07-13-at-20-02-07.png

 

When I looked at the proposed route a couple of days ago it looked like it would use a different part of the old circuit(s) and in reverse direction from Valentine up the hill to Sq Romald Joube then off the old circuit bearing east towards the centre of town for the finish.  The highlights I've seen tonight  indicate that they may have turned west at the roundabout immediately after crossing the Garonne onto the D21 ( Rue Philippe Etancelin ) then followed most of the short ( 2.5 mile ) circuit used in 1952 though the only footage I saw from St Gaudens was the finish by the old concrete seating area above.



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#240 BRG

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Posted 14 July 2021 - 11:27

Most will probably be  overnighting in or near Pau tomorrow for the stage start from there Thursday. Tomorrow 's stage finish is at top of the Col du Portet.

Thursday's etape starts in the centre of Pau with a ride-out to the actual start of racing at Km 0 to the south of the city.  The map suggests they will ride around the city centre but it doesn't look as if they will traverse the race circuit roads at all.



#241 Vitesse2

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Posted 24 July 2021 - 06:52

The Olympic men's road race field are currently negotiating Mount Fuji Speedway, which will also be the finish line later on.



#242 BRG

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Posted 25 July 2021 - 11:21

They made good use of Fuji yesterday -a preliminary visit before returning for the grand finale.  It would have been wonderful for all the spectators to see a slightly unexpected Ecuadorian gold medal victory.  Unfortunately, they weren't there of course.  But a very sensible plan by the organisers to provide a far more suitable finish venue than the Olympic Stadium would have been.  Great for field and track, not so much for bike racing.



#243 Doug Nye

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Posted 25 July 2021 - 14:54

Having just had a glance at the London e-Prix I must say I would far rather watch push bikes on a proper road circuit than lawn-mowers on a play-mat warehouse, dockside and car park course ... especially when the TV coverage's frenzied Buster Bloodvessel commentator has a voice like a freshly-sharpened band saw...

 

DCN



#244 Geoff E

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Posted 25 July 2021 - 15:41

Having just had a glance at the London e-Prix I must say I would far rather watch push bikes on a proper road circuit than lawn-mowers on a play-mat warehouse, dockside and car park course ... especially when the TV coverage's frenzied Buster Bloodvessel commentator has a voice like a freshly-sharpened band saw...

 

DCN

 

Not much there to get the crowd to his feet. 



#245 BRG

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Posted 25 July 2021 - 16:11

Nice fairy tale win at Fuji in the Women's Road Race for the one-woman Austrian 'team'.  A rider without a professional contract, who broke away right at the start and won by a couple of minutes, to the discombobulation of the powerful favourites from the Netherlands!  



#246 BRG

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Posted 25 July 2021 - 17:50

Having just had a glance at the London e-Prix I must say I would far rather watch push bikes on a proper road circuit than lawn-mowers on a play-mat warehouse, dockside and car park course ... especially when the TV coverage's frenzied Buster Bloodvessel commentator has a voice like a freshly-sharpened band saw...

 

DCN

It has been a massive fiasco.  Track, driving, rules, fatuous penalties, deliberate cheating - the works.  Do not judge Formula E by this one shambles.  It has many virtues, and many failings, but it is usually a lot better than this weekend.  And like it or not, it the harbinger of future motor racing.