2022 Rutland-Melton International CiCLE Classic: race preview

Rutland may well be the UK’s smallest county, but it gives name to the UK’s hardest-hitting race. So, after an enforced absence of two years, we cannot wait for the 16^th edition of the men’s Rutland-Melton International CiCLE Classic, which returns to the roads and farm tracks of Rutland and East Leicestershire this Sunday, 22 April. With a field comprising 34 teams and 176 riders representing 18 nations in total, it will mark the first major race in the domestic calendar this year.

What is it?

A men’s UCI 1.2 race, the Rutland-Melton International CiCLE Classic is now in its 16th year. Taking place on roads and farm tracks across the undulating landscape of Rutland and East Leicestershire, it is one of the most spectator-friendly races on the UK calendar. It is also Britain’s only one-day UCI road race and one of only two UCI road races for men, the other being the Tour of Britain.

The race’s unique terrain means it is often dubbed Britain’s ‘Belgian classic’, but in reality, it is closer in nature to races like Brittany’s Tro-Bro Léon; think dusty farm tracks and gravel rather than cobbles.

Previous winners include Malcolm Elliot (at the age of 45), Conor Dunne and Zak Dempster, as well as Ian Wilkinson, the only man to have won the race twice. Gabriel Cullaigh (Saint Piran) won in 2018 and very nearly won the last edition in 2019 too, only to raise his arms in celebration a little too early and find himself pipped to the line by Rally Cycling’s Colin Joyce.

The route 

At 183.5 kilometres, the 2022 edition is slightly shorter than it was in 2019, but the racing should be no less fierce for it. As with previous editions, the race will feature a dizzying route which takes the riders over six different sectors, some of which are visited more than once and tackled from different directions.

Starting in the village of Oakham by Rutland Water, the route heads north at first to Wymondham where awaiting fans will be treated to four circuits of the village. Here, Wymondham Windmill will be the scene of the first intermediate sprint of the race and a further sprint outside the Berkeley Arms on Main Street before the peloton heads back south again to return to Oakham. On the reverse passage through the start line in Oakham there is another sprint (the Oakham Town Sprint).

It is shortly after Oakham that the riders will reach the first off-road sector, Barleyberg. The organiser has rather each sector by severity and, as a two-star sector, the Barleyberg offers the riders a comparatively gentle start to the off-road action.

With the Barleyberg tackled, it is then on to Owston – a popular spot for fans to congregate – and the crucial sections of the course. Multiple traverses of the challenging sectors of the Somerberg and the Manorberg – as well as the ascents of Cold Overton Berg and Burrough Berg – should serve to thin the peloton out. Major selections should be made here.

No.	Name	Race Distance	Length	Severity
11	Barleyberg	48.47 kms	1100 m	**
10	Somberberg	65.83 kms	2200 m	****
9	Manorberg  (Pass 1)	78.54 kms	700 m	****
8	Manorberg (Pass 2)	101.31 kms	700 m	****
7	Somerberg	116.12 kms	2200 m	*****
6	Manorberg (Reverse)	120.32 kms	1800 m	****
5	Newbold Manor	130.77 kms	1200 m	**
5a	Manorberg (Pass 3)	141.03 kms	700 m	***
4	Somerberg (Reverse)	143.03 kms	2200 m	*****
3	StaplePark (Pass 1)	157.00 kms	2100 m	****
2	Sawgate	168.16 kms	500 m	*****
1	StaplePark (Pass 2)	174.69 kms	2100 m	****

The Somerberg, in particular, is a brute. At 2.2 km, it is tackled three times in all, and comprises a rutted farm track with grass verges on one side of the summit and loose gravel on the other.

After the last time over the Somerberg, which the riders cross in reverse, the race then begins its progress towards the finish in Melton via Cuckoo Hill and the StaplePark and Sawgate sectors. The first passage of Melton Mowbray will as ever host the special town sprint sponsored by Dickinson & Morris, with the first rider across the line winning themselves a famous giant pork pie.

The race then takes in a final lap of the Melton Mowbray circuit before the finish on Sherrard Street.

Contenders

So who to watch out for? At the time of writing, we have only seen a provisional startlist which is almost certainly outdated. Whatsmore, this is one of the most difficult domestic races to predict. An untimely mechanical or another slice of bad luck can ruin a rider’s chances in an instant. And as 2017 winner Dan Fleeman proved, riders from the smaller teams shouldn’t be discounted either; the small Metaltek team produced the ride of the day despite not having been thought of as a threat.

Our excuses out of the way, there are nonetheless a number of names that are high up on our watchlist.

Wearing bib number one, previous winner Gabz Cullaigh (Saint Piran) immediately stands out. The former WorldTour rider is on his way back from Covid, so his form is an unknown going into the race, but he certainly has the pedigree and the know-how to win. [Update, 22 Apr. Cullaigh has withdrawn from the race as he is still recovering from Covid].

WiV SunGod has the strongest squad in our view. Rory Townsend is back on form after finishing 6th at Arno Wallard Memorial last weekend. He was third in 2019 and if he hit the top of his form this weekend, he could be a difficult man to beat if he avoids ill fortune. And in Matt Gibson and Jacob Scott (4th in 2019) also in the team, WiV SunGod have at least three riders that are firmly in the ‘hot favourites’ bracket.

Domestic rivals Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling will also be looking for a top result. Former WorldTour Harry Tanfield certainly has the power if he can engineer a solo move or a small break. And Finn Crockett was on top form at the recent Tour du Loir et Cher, grabbing three top tens on the way to a top ten placing on GC.

Charlie Quarterman rode this race back in 2019, featuring in the breakaway. He has since gone from aspiring youngster to hardened WorldTour rider. Now at the French elite outfit Phillipe Wagner Cycling, this race could provide him with the perfect stage to court the attention of WorldTour teams once more. He has been in fine form so far this season and this race should suit him.

TRINITY Racing always bring an exciting young team but are still awaiting a big result on the road this year. Max Walker and Sam Culverwell have had solid if not spectacular starts to the season and they are both riders we have tipped in the past. Could this race be their breakthrough?

Callum MacLeod’s A Bloc CT are arguably the strongest of the international teams at the race. Their Latvian rider Martin Pluto in particular is capable of top results in semi-classics like these and has a fast finish so shouldn’t be discounted. Joren Bloem is another rider on excellent form at the moment (3rd in the recent Olympia’s Tour), although isn’t on the provisional startlist.

Who else? Isaac Mundy (Team Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus) goes very well off-road, so could be an outsider to watch. Charlie Paige (BC North West Region) was second at the recent Circuit de Saone et Loire and is due a big result. On the same team is Ben Granger; he got several top results in national races last year, and could well feature here. Great Britain have several young talents. Could this be a day for Bob Donaldson, 7th in the U23 Gent-Wevelgem this year?

Predictions. WiV SunGod have three potential winners in Rory Townsend, Matt Gibson and Jacob Scott, so our money is one from this trio to take the win.

Provisional startlist

#	First name	Surname	Team
1	Gabriel	CULLAIGH	Saint Piran
2	Jacob	HENNESSY	Saint Piran
3	Charles	PAGE	Saint Piran
4	Tom	MAZZONE	Saint Piran
5	William	BJERGFELT	Saint Piran
6	Jacob	VAUGHAN	Saint Piran
7	Harry	TANFIELD	Ribble-Weldtite
8	Cameron	JEFFERS	Ribble-Weldtite
9	Zeb	KYFFIN	Ribble-Weldtite
10	Ross	LAMB	Ribble-Weldtite
11	Finn	CROCKETT	Ribble-Weldtite
12	Stuart	BALFOUR	Ribble-Weldtite
13	Aiden	LAWRENCE	Trinity Racing
14	Sam	CULVERWELL	Trinity Racing
15	Cameron	MASON	Trinity Racing
16	Lukas	NERURKAR	Trinity Racing
17	Max	WALKER	Trinity Racing
18	Matthew	DEVINS	Trinity Racing
19	Bodi	DEL GROSSO	A Bloc CT
20	Lars	LOOHUIS	A Bloc CT
21	Callum	MaCLEOD	A Bloc CT
22	Martin	PLUTO	A Bloc CT
23	Jesper	RASCH	A Bloc CT
24	Meindert	WEULINK	A Bloc CT
25	Jente	BOONS	BEAT Cycling
26	Jordy	BOUTS	BEAT Cycling
27	Matthjis	BUCHLI	BEAT Cycling
28	Sven	BURGER	BEAT Cycling
29	Stijn	DAEMEN	BEAT Cycling
30	Jochem	KERCHAERT	BEAT Cycling
31	Rindert	BUITER	WPGA
32	Hugo	KARS	WPGA
33	Bram	LEERKES	WPGA
34	Bas	Van BELLE	WPGA
35	Niek	VOOGT	WPGA
36	Wessel	MOURIS	WPGA
37	Harry	BIRCHILL	Great Britain
38	Bob	DONALDSON	Great Britain
39	Oscar	NILSSON JULIEN	Great Britain
40	William	TIDBALL	Great Britain
41	Josh	CHARLTON	Great Britain
42	Corran	CARRICK ANDERSON	Great Britain
43	Zavi	CANELLAS	Java Kiwi Atlantico
44	Gaizka	GURRUCHAGA	Java Kiwi Atlantico
45	Andreas	MILTIADIS	Java Kiwi Atlantico
46	Nikifords	ARVANITOU	Java Kiwi Atlantico
47	Edwin	TORRES	Java Kiwi Atlantico
48	Yuki	ISHIHARA	Java Kiwi Atlantico
49	Daire	FEELEY	Evo Pro Racing
50	Maarten	VERHEYEN	Evo Pro Racing
51	Eamon	FRANCK	Evo Pro Racing
52	Conn	McDUNPHY	Evo Pro Racing
53	RHYS	BRITTON	Evo Pro Racing
54	Tiom	MORIARTY	Evo Pro Racing
55	Jacob	SCOTT	WiV SunGod
56	Rory	TOWNSEND	WiV SunGod
57	Reece	WOOD	WiV SunGod
58	Gruff	LEWIS	WiV SunGod
59	Matt	GIBSON	WiV SunGod
60	Matt	BOSTOCK	WiV SunGod
61	Roberts	CUKURS	Latvian National Team
62	Roberts	ANDERSONS	Latvian National Team
63	Rodzers	PETAKS	Latvian National Team
64	Karlis	KLISMETS	Latvian National Team
65	Oskars	DANKBARS	Latvian National Team
66	Rauls	GUTMANIS	Latvian National Team
67	Dan	BARNES	Team Spectra-Wiggle p/b Vitus
68	Freddie	SCHESKE	Team Spectra-Wiggle p/b Vitus
69	Ben	CHILTON	Team Spectra-Wiggle p/b Vitus
70	Travis	BRAMLEY	Team Spectra-Wiggle p/b Vitus
71	Isaac	MUNDY	Team Spectra-Wiggle p/b Vitus
72	Mickey	MOTTRAM	Team Spectra-Wiggle p/b Vitus
73	Charles	BAILEY	Philippe Wagner Cycling
74	Alexis	CARESMEL	Philippe Wagner Cycling
75	Mateo	JOT	Philippe Wagner Cycling
76	Aurelien	PHILIBERT	Philippe Wagner Cycling
77	Charlie	QUARTERMAN	Philippe Wagner Cycling
78	Vebjorn	RONNING	Philippe Wagner Cycling
79	Peter	COCKER	Richardsons-Trek DAS
80	James	JENKINS	Richardsons-Trek DAS
81	Sean	MULLEN	Richardsons-Trek DAS
82	Jim	BRADFORD	Richardsons-Trek DAS
83	Callum	RILEY	Richardsons-Trek DAS
84	Aaron	FREEMAN	Richardsons-Trek DAS
85	Jason	KENNY	UCD Dublin
86	Rhys	KENNY	UCD Dublin
87	Connor	MURNANE	UCD Dublin
88	Sean	LANDERS	UCD Dublin
89	Andrew	RYAN	UCD Dublin
90	Joel	LUKE	UCD Dublin
91	George	WOOD	Cycling Sheffield
92	Adam	MITCHELL	Cycling Sheffield
93	Will	HARDING	Cycling Sheffield
94	James	McKAY	Cycling Sheffield
95	Joe	COUKHAM	Cycling Sheffield
96	James	HARTLEY	Cycling Sheffield
97	Jamieson	BLAIN	Embark-Bikestrong
98	Michael	CHADWICK	Embark-Bikestrong
99	Dean	WATSON	Embark-Bikestrong
100	David	HIRD	Embark-Bikestrong
101	Joseph	REES	Embark-Bikestrong
102	Iwan	EVANS	Embark-Bikestrong
103	Joseph	BECKINGSALE	Wales Racing Academy
104	Owain	ROBERTS	Wales Racing Academy
105	Will	TRUELOVE	Wales Racing Academy
106	Sam	BECKETT	Wales Racing Academy
107	Edward	MORGAN	Wales Racing Academy
108	Liam James	MORRIS	Wales Racing Academy
109	Toby	JARVIS	Team PB Performance
110	Jacques	COATES	Team PB Performance
111	George	PEDEN	Team PB Performance
112	James	BENTLEY	Team PB Performance
113	Jude	TAYLOR	Team PB Performance
114	Kieran	RILEY	Team PB Performance
115	Josh	PRICE	Spirit BSS
116	George	KIMBER	Spirit BSS
117	Josh	AVERY	Spirit BSS
118	Jordan	PEACOCK	Spirit BSS
119	Tom	PRICE	Spirit BSS
120	Angus	HAWKINS	Spirit BSS
121	Jack	CROOK	Dolan Ellesse
122	Conor	McKINNON	Dolan Ellesse
123	Tom	ASHCROFT	Dolan Ellesse
124	Joe	WILSON	Dolan Ellesse
125	Matt	TAYLOR	Dolan Ellesse
126	Declan	HUDSON	Dolan Ellesse
127	Scott	REDDING	SCRT – Muc-Off
128	William	HARPER	SCRT – Muc-Off
129	Oliver	MAXWELL	SCRT – Muc-Off
130	Elliot	BARRAT	SCRT – Muc-Off
131	Matthew	WARHURST	SCRT – Muc-Off
132	Matthew	ELLIS	SCRT – Muc-Off
133	Daniel	YONHIN	Tarrants Skoda Cycling Munster
134	Conor	KISSANE	Tarrants Skoda Cycling Munster
135	Jordan	LUKE	Tarrants Skoda Cycling Munster
136	Mark	SHANAHAN	Tarrants Skoda Cycling Munster
137	Paul	HART	Hart Performance Coaching
138	Thomas	CORBET	Hart Performance Coaching
139	Louis	DIGANCE	Hart Performance Coaching
140	Samuel	THIENEL	Hart Performance Coaching
141	Logan	MacLEAN	Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
142	Matti	DOBBINS	Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
143	Callum	THORNLEY	Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
144	Tim	SHOREMAN	Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
145	Daniel	KAIN	Spokes Racing Team
146	Cameron	BROWN	Spokes Racing Team
147	Murray	LAWSON	Spokes Racing Team
148	Craig	PATERSON	Spokes Racing Team
149	Timothy	TORRIE	TBW 23 Stuart Hall Trainsharp
150	Oliver	WOOD	TBW 23 Stuart Hall Trainsharp
151	Kishan	BAKRANIA	TBW 23 Stuart Hall Trainsharp
152	Maximillian	ASHWARDEN	TBW 23 Stuart Hall Trainsharp
153	William	FOSTER	JRC Interflon RT
154	William	JEWITT	JRC Interflon RT
155	Marcus	COCKERIL	JRC Interflon RT
156	Ethan	BROWNE	JRC Interflon RT
157	Alex	HAINES	East Mids BC Region p/b Carter-Legrand Wealth Management
158	Pierre	VERNIE	East Mids BC Region p/b Carter-Legrand Wealth Management.
159	Alec	GREGORY	East Mids BC Region p/b Carter-Legrand Wealth Management.
160	Nick	COOPER	East Mids BC Region p/b Carter-Legrand Wealth Management.
161	Charles	PAIGE	BC North West Region
162	Alistair	THOMAS	BC North West Region
163	Benjamin	PEATFIELD	BC North West Region
164	Ben	GRANGER	BC North West Region
165	Oli	HURDLE	Stolen Goat Racing Team
166	Jack	FOTHERGILL	Stolen Goat Racing Team
167	Tom	HEAL	Stolen Goat Racing Team
168	Charlie	AGER	Stolen Goat Racing Team
169	Ben	THOMPSON	Team LDN – Brother UK
170	Tim	ALLEN	Team LDN – Brother UK
171	Vaughn	PRETORIUS	Team LDN – Brother UK
172	Jody	PAXMAN	Team LDN – Brother UK
173	Matt	DOWNIE	TAAP Cervelo
174	Matt	LOCK	TAAP Cervelo
175	Harvey	STROH	TAAP Cervelo
176	Ben	FISH	TAAP Cervelo
177	David	BOLLAND	Army Cycling Union
178	Keiran	SIMCOX	Army Cycling Union
179	Sean	DODSWORTH	Army Cycling Union
180	Stefan	GLOYN	Army Cycling Union

Timings

Official start: 11.00. Expected finish: 15.40

Weather

No rain in the run-up to the race means dust, rather than mud, should be the flavour of the day for the riders. The day itself is due to be dry with temperatures up to 13 degrees. A fresh breeze could open the possibility of echelons on the more exposed parts of the course, assuming the terrain itself hasn’t already blown the race apart!

How to follow

The CiCLE Classic Twitter account normally provides regular race updates. Joe Hudson will be there on the ground for us too, so keep an eye on our Instagram stories for updates and video content from him.

Featured photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com 2019 Rutland – Melton International CiCLE Classic, Leicestershire, England – Tom Pidcock and Gabriel Cullaigh of Team Wiggins Le Col.