Star line-up for Rayner Dinner

STAR LINE-UP FOR RAYNER DINNER

The annual Dave Rayner dinner in Harrogate on November 14 sees Bradley Wiggins heading an all-star line-up.

The Garmin star will join Team Sky signing Russell Downing - himself a former recipient of Rayner funding - at the dinner and auction that raises thousands of pounds towards supporting young British riders abroad.

Sir Jimmy Saville will, as usual, be in attendance, along with a dozen riders currently racing on the continent with backing from the fund.

There are still some tickets available at £42 per person, or whole tables seating 10-12 people. To book your dinner with Brad and a chance for Jim to fix it for you, call Bill Holmes on 01706 377069 or email kimandbill6@hotmail.com.

FIELD REFLECTS ON TOP 20 WORLD CUP PERFORMANCE

Britain's Ian Field is relishing being based in Belgium as his performances steadily improve and he moves ever closer to that elusive top-twenty World Cup result.

15th in the Nacht van Woerden demonstrated the Briton's potential.

"I got a good start moving up to 13th by the time we finished the first lap," Field explained.

"My legs were spent though after only about 15 minutes, [so] I relaxed into the race and rode conservatively trying to conserve some energy for the finish just in case I was still in contention for a result.

"To my surprise, after mentally switching off, I was still holding onto a top 15 and the riders behind were not catching me. I eventually held onto 15th place only 2.05 behind the winner, Sven Nys.

"It's a long season," Field continued, "and I have already probably done as many cross races as most British riders do in a season so it's better I conserve some energy for the more important days of racing".

Field will race the Koppenberg Cross race in Belgium this Sunday.

BRITS IN AMSTERDAM

Whilst many of Britain's track athletes are battling it out for glory at the national championships in Manchester, a handful made the trip to the Amsterdam Six Day.

In the women's Madison on the third day of proceedings, Emma Trott and Katie Colclough were fifth in an event won by the Dutch pairing, Vera Koedooder and Kirsten Wild.

Youngsters Jess Booth and Ruby Miller placed sixth in the same event.

After three nights, Trott and Colclough are currently in fifth place overall, with Booth and Miller lying eighth.

TOUR SERIES COMES TO TEWKESBURY

The Gloucestershire town of Tewkesbury has been confirmed as a host of a round of the 2010 Tour Series.

The race is set to be run on Tuesday, June 1 2010, which falls in the middle of the schools' half term, in Tewkesbury, one of the Government's nine so-called ‘Healthy Towns'.

The Tour Series was more popular than expected in its inaugural running and is set to expand in 2010.

"I hope that, with national media coverage involved, both local and not so local businesses and organisations will get on board and sponsor the event - it's a brilliant opportunity and I'm confident that this will bring out the best that the Borough has to offer," commented Councillor, Phil Taylor.  

"There's going to be a huge amount going on aside from the professional cycling including events for children; opportunities for local teams to compete; family fun; opportunities to meet elite athletes; demonstrations and much more".

DRAGON RIDE REVAMP FOR 2010

Britain's most popular sportive will get an all new look and an all new name from 2010 as bicycle manufacturer Kiron Bikes is to enter into a three-year partnership - creating the newly-entitled Kiron Dragon Ride.

"We feel it's the perfect showcase for Kiron bikes," adds Paul Bolwell of Kiron, which has also started work on a range of sportive-orientated bikes.

"So we will give riders the chance to view the bikes at the event. Kiron owners will also have exclusive access to the tented area, refreshment, support andd masseurs at the ride itself. Kiron bikes are the only brand aimed specifically at the sportive rider so we are very excited," added Bolwell.

See www.kirondragonride.co.uk for more.