Members of the March Veteran and Vintage Cycle Club met up with a group of modern-day cyclists to launch the Henshalls Insurance Queen Victoria Cyclo-Cross.

The event will take place at Blists Hill Victorian Town, in Shropshire’s Ironbridge Gorge, on Saturday, June 28, from 6pm to 9pm. Run by the organisers of Newport’s famous Nocturne cycle race, the event is sponsored by Henshalls and is expected to attract over 300 of the UK’s top riders.

Nick Jeggo, for the organisers, said: “For the launch, we thought it would be great to contrast our modern bikes with those from the era the museum represents. It was excellent fun and it also gave everyone the chance to check out the course.”

The Victorian Town will present unusual and formidable challenges as the cyclists ride modern bikes through narrow Victorian-style streets, and after the success of last year’s inaugural event, the course has been improved still further as well as retaining the fearsome Hay Inclined Plane obstacle.

“Last year’s event was named in Cycling Weekly magazine as Britain’s Craziest Bike Race, and we’re hoping this year’s event will be just as successful,” said Nick. “Cyclo-cross is becoming more and more popular, and urban events like this are particularly well supported by cycling fans.

“The unique location has undoubtedly given this race some extra magic, and working with the museum and our sponsors, Henshalls, has enabled us to bring cycle racing to the public in a really special way.”

Mark Freeman, for Henshalls, said: “We’re delighted to be on the team and it’s just another example of the commitment we have here at Henshalls to supporting worthy causes and backing local events.”

For more details visit www.newportshropshirecc.org.uk/queenviccx