End of the road for cycle races?

The cycle races, staged every year around a 1km street circuit in Warwick town centre, have attracted national and Olympic champions in its seven-year history.

Now budget cuts mean Warwickshire County Council has closed its sustainable travel team, which organises the event, and has put funding under review.

Shire Hall this year provided £4,500 of the £8,000 overall cost, with much of the work done by volunteers.

British Cycling volunteer organiser Peter Mooney believes the races benefit the town and the sport.

He said: “It is probably the only event in Warwickshire where people can see elite champions competing. On the Continent, every town has a closed circuit race like this.”

Mr Mooney has not ruled out the races taking place next year, but admits the event must find new sponsorship and organisers.

Past competitors in women’s races have gone on to compete internationally, but Mr Mooney said his proudest achievement was the number of children who had become involved.

He added: “It has introduced a lot of people to cycle racing as competitors for the first time. There is nowhere else in Warwickshire where they can ride around on roads in safety.”

Warwick mayor Cllr Michael Kinson, who presented the winner’s prize to Olympic gold medallist Ed Clancy on Sunday, said it would be a “great shame” if the race day did not return, comparing it to other town events such as Warwick Folk Festival and the Victorian evening.

Warwick town centre manager Matthew Caddick said: “The cycle races are a high profile event that attracts people from across the county and country. They are an established highlight in the town’s calendar and it would be a shame to lose them.”

But Warwick Chamber of Trade chairman Sue Butcher was ambivalent about the event, saying pubs and cafes had benefited but shopkeepers opening on the Sunday had not profited as much as had been hoped.

A Warwickshire County Council spokesman described the races as a “valuable event” but admitted their future was in doubt. He said: “We are proud that it has proved to be a success over the past six years and we will be doing our best to keep it going next year.”