Road race cycling halted across South Yorkshire

Tumby’s Road Race, a 105km race starting in Braithwell, near Rotherham, had been due to go ahead on Sunday. But it was cancelled at the 11th hour after a decision by police, British Cycling and highways officials to suspend road races because of concerns about safety at similar local events.

A meeting is due to take place next week to try and resolve the issue before the next road race in South Yorkshire on August 30.

South Yorkshire Police said in a statement: “To clarify we have not banned road racing in South Yorkshire. Concerns and complaints have been made to us about safety issues surrounding these races.

“A decision was made by us, British Cycling and Highways to suspend road races, until we meet next week to review the safety of these races. We want everybody to be able to enjoy these races, however, our main concern is the safety of the cyclists and public in South Yorkshire.”

A statement on British Cycling Yorkshire said: “Following further complaints recently about cycle events in the Stainton/Braithwell area of South Yorkshire, Sgt Bellamy of South Yorkshire Police has suspended authorisation of cycle races in South Yorkshire Police area.

“Regional Events Officer, Peter Sutton spent most of yesterday, August 6th, trying to save the Tumby’s Road Race but couldn’t get past the issues being raised, some of which go back years. “There has been a recent incident involving riders and a combine harvester which have not helped. Although, we are not sure if this was race related as there hasn’t been a race held on Stainton since April.”