Top cyclists sprint for the win in Dudley Grand Prix spectacular

The British Cycling National Circuit Series returned to light up Dudley town centre this evening with hundreds cheering on the racers as they sprinted past local landmarks like Coronation Gardens and Dudley Town Hall.

Matthew Bostock charged to victory in the open category race after an extremely close fight for the win. The lead changed hands multiple times in the final two laps but the Ribble Rebellion team rider claimed top spot with a strong finish. The open category race was sponsored by bicycle tyre manufacturer Schwalbe.

In the women’s race, Scottish champion Eilidh Shaw stole the lead on the final lap of the race and outpaced her rivals in a gripping chase to the finish line. It was Shaw’s second consecutive win in the series after victory in Guildford last week. The women’s race was sponsored by Triple Twenty Taxis.

The fastest amateur cyclists from across the Midlands battled for bragging rights in the regional support race. Thomas Childs held off his challengers to reach the finish line in another exciting conclusion to the race.

There were also a variety of youth races for competitors aged under 12, under 14 and under 16 to show off their skills. The Youth C race for riders aged under 12 was sponsored by Stourbridge-based Fieldings Auctioneers.

Full results of the open, women’s, amateur and youth races are available on the MYLAPS Speedhive website.

Families also enjoyed the rare opportunity to cycle around an elite-level racing circuit as part of the community social ride, which was sponsored by Jewson.

The event was funded by the UK Government, the West Midlands Combined Authority, and the Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund. It was organised by Generation Pro Cycling Events in partnership with Dudley Council.

Councillor Patrick Harley, the leader of Dudley Council, said:

The Grand Prix has been a brilliant night for the borough. Occasions like these are fantastic for bringing more people into our town centre and putting Dudley’s name out there in the national spotlight.

We’re proud to have staged such a prestigious event as part of the Black Country Festival. It was the perfect way to begin a busy weekend of festival celebrations and we all hope it’s the start of a very memorable couple of days for English sport.

Councillor Hilary Bills, the Mayor of Dudley, said:

It was a great honour to lead the ceremonial opening of the Grand Prix and present the winners with their medals. I thoroughly enjoyed watching these immensely talented athletes giving their all to chase the race victory.

I hope the many young people who came along to watch found a source of inspiration from the racers, as befitting the legacy of the Commonwealth Games. The Games funding has helped us to bring this brilliant spectacle to their doorsteps.

I would like to offer my sincerest thanks to the race organisers, our sponsors and most importantly, our dedicated volunteers, who have stepped forward magnificently to make today possible.

The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Hilary Bills (centre), prepares to open the 2024 British Cycling Dudley Grand Prix alongside her husband and consort John Bills (second-left), Councillor Paul Bradley, deputy leader of Dudley Council (left), Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for highways and environment (second-right), and Dudley's town crier Ian Jones.

The fun continues tomorrow with the next Black Country Festival event, as the two-day Black Country Musicom festival opens at Himley Hall and Park.

Tomorrow, the Symphonix Rock Orchestra will headline alongside tributes to Oasis and the Foo Fighters. The event will run from 5pm to 10pm. There will also be a comedy tent, funfair, food stalls, and performances from local bands.

More top tribute acts including Tina Turner, Madness and Taylor Swift will take to the stage from midday to 8pm on Sunday.

Ticketholders will then have the chance to cheer on Stourbridge’s own Jude Bellingham and company as England’s clash with Spain in the Euro 2024 final will be shown live on a 45m² big screen.

To book last-minute Musicom tickets, visit the festival’s SeeTickets page.

Black Country Musicom is sponsored by Brsk, Halesowen College, Copthorne Hotel, Black Country Festival and E Plan Energy.