Sounds like an illegal race if they are racing on open roads, or at least it should if that is the case. Dont go around much weekends these days but a few years ago it was fairly common to come across a gaggle of the Lycra brigade all racing one another in a big group and strung out causing chaos on public roads.
It said in the details that the roads couldn't be closed because permission wasn't obtained soon enough.
Our son won up the Tumbles many years ago and it was so exciting when we could hear the broadcast about him going off the front. Roads were closed for the races but not for the whole race, can't remember what they call it but closed and then open. The race organisers would have done all that was needed and certainly not an illegal race. The issue has been with the new 20mph limits in many areas (and agreed they are needed) and the concern with support cars being able to "support" the cyclists.
