The B-side: a closer look at National B road racing
With road racing returning to the UK after such a long hiatus, the season so far has already been packed with momentous occasions. But this Sunday’s National B road race based around the village of Upton in West Yorkshire is perhaps the most poignant yet…
In a touching tribute to Tim James, the young, talented climber who sadly passed away earlier this year from a rare form of cancer, his team SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling has created a new National B road race: the Tim James Memorial Road Race.
A minute silence to remember Tim will be observed before the race, with SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling riders then forming the front row of the peloton for the roll out.
The race is sponsored by Informate UK Limited.
Tim James
Route
The race will use the Upton road race circuit in West Yorkshire. The riders will complete just under 13 laps of the 9.6 km per lap, with a total race distance of 122 km. With just 51 m of ascent per lap, it’s a fairly flat course. It might not be one for the climbers then, but this doesn’t make it easy. Races on this course tend to be attritional ones. The course is very exposed, meaning the wind is often a factor. And with no real descents to speak of, riders are on the pedals all day.
Riders to watch
National B road race startlists have been packed with quality since the resumption of racing, and the trend continues this weekend. 18 of the 80 riders on the provisional startlist are from UCI Continental teams and another 6 of from the GB Senior Academy (Team Inspired).
SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling top the bill, fielding a team full of quality riders. Most of the team hasn’t raced much this year, although Alex Peters has already shown his form, finishing second at the Return to Racing for Big Dogs, and will be one to watch here in particular.
The Crimson Orientation Marketing team is also out in force, fielding ten riders. Isaac Peatfield is an in-form rider, with three top tens from his four races so far this season. Joey Walker also seems in good shape and this course could suit him.
Team Inspired is also well-represented, with six riders on the provisional startlist. Sam Watson is in fantastic shape (4th at the Otley GP on Wednesday, 1st at the Crimson Performance Road Race last weekend) and if we could only pick one rider to win here, it would probably be him. Rhys Britton is very quick if it comes down to a bunch sprint.
This run-down is far from comprehensive, but other riders to keep an eye on include Chitterne Road Race winner Zeb Kyffin (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling), fast finisher Stephen Bradbury (Saint Piran), Damien Clayton (Canyon dhb SunGod), and Tom Couzens (Spirit Bontrager BSS Rotor).
The B-side: a closer look at National B road racing
With road racing returning to the UK after such a long hiatus, the season so far has already been packed with momentous occasions. But this Sunday’s National B road race based around the village of Upton in West Yorkshire is perhaps the most poignant yet…
Featured photo: James Little
What is it?
In a touching tribute to Tim James, the young, talented climber who sadly passed away earlier this year from a rare form of cancer, his team SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling has created a new National B road race: the Tim James Memorial Road Race.
A minute silence to remember Tim will be observed before the race, with SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling riders then forming the front row of the peloton for the roll out.
The race is sponsored by Informate UK Limited.
Route
The race will use the Upton road race circuit in West Yorkshire. The riders will complete just under 13 laps of the 9.6 km per lap, with a total race distance of 122 km. With just 51 m of ascent per lap, it’s a fairly flat course. It might not be one for the climbers then, but this doesn’t make it easy. Races on this course tend to be attritional ones. The course is very exposed, meaning the wind is often a factor. And with no real descents to speak of, riders are on the pedals all day.
Riders to watch
National B road race startlists have been packed with quality since the resumption of racing, and the trend continues this weekend. 18 of the 80 riders on the provisional startlist are from UCI Continental teams and another 6 of from the GB Senior Academy (Team Inspired).
SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling top the bill, fielding a team full of quality riders. Most of the team hasn’t raced much this year, although Alex Peters has already shown his form, finishing second at the Return to Racing for Big Dogs, and will be one to watch here in particular.
The Crimson Orientation Marketing team is also out in force, fielding ten riders. Isaac Peatfield is an in-form rider, with three top tens from his four races so far this season. Joey Walker also seems in good shape and this course could suit him.
Team Inspired is also well-represented, with six riders on the provisional startlist. Sam Watson is in fantastic shape (4th at the Otley GP on Wednesday, 1st at the Crimson Performance Road Race last weekend) and if we could only pick one rider to win here, it would probably be him. Rhys Britton is very quick if it comes down to a bunch sprint.
This run-down is far from comprehensive, but other riders to keep an eye on include Chitterne Road Race winner Zeb Kyffin (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling), fast finisher Stephen Bradbury (Saint Piran), Damien Clayton (Canyon dhb SunGod), and Tom Couzens (Spirit Bontrager BSS Rotor).
Timings
Date: Sunday, 4 July 2021
Start 10.00
Provisional startlist
Reserves
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