Mark Cavendish says circuit racing is 'way forward' for road cycling
By Matt Westby
Last Updated: 26/10/16 1:56pm
Mark Cavendish believes racing on circuits is the "way forward" if professional road cycling is to make itself more spectator friendly.
There are currently only a handful of one-day races and sprint stages held on circuits on the professional calendar, the most high profile being the World Championship road race and final day of the Tour de France in Paris.
The majority of events instead take place on A-to-B courses that give fans, many of whom camp by the roadside several days in advance, only one look at the passing riders.
Speaking after winning the final stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour on the Yas Marina F1 circuit, Cavendish said: "Circuits are always different. Mentally it's different when you're doing the same thing and it can seem quite long.
"As a rider, it's easier on the head to do an A-to-B race, but the way forward for cycling is on circuits.
"They attract crowds and they attract more than just the race. You can have a paddock area, like Formula 1 and MotoGP, and enjoy an atmosphere.
"It's more forgiving for a spectator than camping for two days to see 20 seconds of racing."
Circuit races are also held on the final days of the Tour of Britain, Vuelta a Espana and Giro d'Italia, and always attract large crowds.
One of the best atmospheres in professional cycling, however, can be found at the Tour of Flanders, which repeatedly loops back around a series of climbs and consequently lures thousands of fans.
Criteriums, which are short and flat circuit races held in town centres, are common throughout Europe but are normally contested by amateur riders.
