The end of the road, the last hurrah, one last dance at the disco. However you want to couch it, the Beaumont Trophy and Curlew Cup will mark the end of the first full season of road racing since 2019. A lot has changed on the domestic scene since those pre-Covid times, and more upheaval looks to be coming this winter. But for now, let’s look forward to one last road race.
It’s an important one at that. A historic pair of races in their own right, this season they once again close out the National Road Series. This is our in-depth preview of the two races, with detailed analysis of the route and contenders.
Photo: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com. 2021 HSBC UK National Road Series – Curlew Cup 2021 – CAMS Basso Bikes, Eilidh Shaw of Tofauti Everyone Active.
About the races
The Curlew Cup and Beaumont Trophy are part of the Cyclone Festival of Cycling, a weekend cycling festival that also features a sportive and family leisure rides (this year held in June).
The Beaumont Trophy is one of the longest-running road races on the domestic calendar. It was first held in 1952 when it was presented by Rex Beaumont, a cycle and motorcycle wholesaler based in Newcastle. Since then, the race has been won by many famous riders including Sir Bradley Wiggins, Chris Newton, Russell and Dean Downing and Malcolm Elliott. The most prolific winner was Ray Wetherell, who won it five times. Wiggins won it twice, including in 2011 when the event played host to the National Road Championships road race. Jacob Scott (WiV SunGod) won the race the last year on his way to winning the National Road Series crown.
2021 HSBC UK National Road Series – Beaumont Trophy 2021 – Jake Scott of Canyon dhb SunGod wins the Beaumont Trophy 2021. Photo: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
The Curlew Cup, meanwhile, was launched in 2012, the year after the women’s national road championships, won by Lizzie Deignan, was held on the same course. The inaugural race was won by Dame Sarah Storey. Other notable winners have included Hannah Barnes (2013), Katie Archibald (2014), Nicki Juniper (2016), Jessica Roberts (2018), and Lizzy Bennett (Drops-Le Col s/b Tempur). Abi Smith won last year’s finish from a reduced bunch sprint. Like Scott, she sealed the National Road Series title with the win.
2021 HSBC UK National Road Series – Curlew Cup 2021 – Abi Smith of Team TIBCO SVB wins the 2021 Beaumont Trophy. Photo: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
Both races were postponed from their original date of 18 September this year as a result of the Queen’s funeral.
The route
Starting and finishing by the village green in Stamfordham, the main course for both races is a large 40 kilometre circuit through the Northumberland countryside. It’s a proper ‘racers’ route that features a fast narrow descent leading into a stiff climb (the iconic Ryals) and some challenging Northumberland B-roads. Attritional is the watch word.
The Curlew Cup entails three laps of this circuit, with a total race distance of 122.4 kilometres according to the race manual, making it longer than last year’s edition (which featured two large circuit laps before one lap of a smaller finishing circuit). 1,593 metres of elevation is tackled in the process.
The Beaumont Trophy meanwhile takes in four laps of the large circuit, and then also one lap of a shorter 22 kilometre circuit before the finish, making for a 182.3 kilometre race with 2,312 metres of climbing in all.
About 30 kilometres into the large circuit, the Ryals climb provides the stiffest obstacle of the day. It is preceded by a fast descent, so positioning is important here. What then follows is a drag of over two kilometres featuring three steep ramps in succession. It’s often the decisive point in the race and is where Team Sky launched their attack in the 2011 National Road Championships that led to Sir Bradley Wiggins’ nationals win.
The rise from West Belsay to Kirkheaton can also be a decisive feature if there is a strong enough westerly wind.
The small finishing circuit includes nothing as testing at the Ryals but nonetheless features two short sharp rises, one at the beginning of the lap with gradients of up to 7% and another with about 14 kilometres to go that could provide launchpads for potentially decisive attacks. It’s pretty much all downhill from about nine kilometres to go, bar a small rise to the finish line.
The Curlew Cup field is much-reduced, perhaps in part because of the race’s postponement and many riders now having finished their season. The provisional line-up still includes plenty of quality though.
Crucially, all of the main protagonists in the National Road Series will take to the start. Series leader Sammie Stuart (CAMS-Basso) has been a revelation this year (two Tour Series round wins perhaps the best of many highlights) and will be a contender in her own right for the win.
2022 Women’s National Road Series, Ryedale GP – Sammie Stuart of Team Cams Basso. Photo: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
Stuart’s nearest rivals are Lucy Lee (Team LDN – Brother UK) and Alice McWilliam (Bianchi Hunt Morvelo), who are 17 and 18 points behind respectively. With Series rankings points available for the first top 20 places, from 30 for the winner down to 1 for 20th place, the race should involve a fascinating tussle for Series honours. Like Stuart, both have had breakthrough seasons and will be keen to round off the year with a flourish.
There are plenty of potential winners elsewhere on the startlist too. Connie Hayes (AWOL O’Shea) has been knocking on the door of a big win for a while and is a good climber, so expect moves from her on the Ryals. Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix winner Becky Storrie (CAMS-Basso) is ideally suited for this course but might be on team duties for Stuart. If not the Le Col-Wahoo bound rider will be a clear favourite. Lancaster Grand Prix victor Mary Wilkinson (Team Boompods) is another contender, while junior sensation Emma Jeffers (JRC-INTERFLON Race Team) will be one to watch if it comes down to a sprint finish. On her way back from maternity leave, Elinor Barker (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team) is another rider we’ll be keeping a close eye on.
The men’s Series lead is very nearly wrapped up. It will almost certainly go to a WiV SunGod rider. The main question is, which Scott will it go to? Rob Scott is the current leader, holding an 11-point lead over teammate – and last season’s Series winner – Jake Scott. The pairing has been a formidable duo on the domestic scene this year and both are capable of a win here. It will be interesting to see if they will be allowed to race each other or if team orders will take precedence.
2022 Men’s National Road Series, Ryedale GP – Rob Scott of Team WIV Sungod on the podium retaining the leader’s jersey. Photo: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
Finn Crockett (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling) sits 30 points behind Rob Scott so would still have a mathematical chance of drawing level with him in the Series but unfortunately isn’t racing.
Who else to watch? Matt Bostock (WiV SunGod) is back racing after time out with concussion and will be a marked rider if it comes down to a sprint. Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling’s future is in serious doubt so their riders will no doubt be keen to impress as they search for a 2023 contract. Zeb Kyffin – who impressed at the Tour of Britain – is our pick from that team.
Saint Piran will likely provide WiV SunGod with the most competition. Jack Rootkin-Gray has been in searing form since he joined the team mid-season, and with Alex Richardson also racing, a repeat of their Ryedale Grand Prix 1-2 is not an impossibility.
Ollie Rees and Max Walker (both TRINITY Racing) are both in excellent form having just finished the Ronde de l’Isard (2.2U) in 4th and 5th respectively, so should go well if they can take that form into the race.
Others to watch include Zappi Racing Team pairing of Matthew Kingston and Ben Granger, George Wood (Cycling Sheffield), James Jenkins and Conor McGoldrick (Richardsons Trek DAS).
The end of the road, the last hurrah, one last dance at the disco. However you want to couch it, the Beaumont Trophy and Curlew Cup will mark the end of the first full season of road racing since 2019. A lot has changed on the domestic scene since those pre-Covid times, and more upheaval looks to be coming this winter. But for now, let’s look forward to one last road race.
It’s an important one at that. A historic pair of races in their own right, this season they once again close out the National Road Series. This is our in-depth preview of the two races, with detailed analysis of the route and contenders.
Photo: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com. 2021 HSBC UK National Road Series – Curlew Cup 2021 – CAMS Basso Bikes, Eilidh Shaw of Tofauti Everyone Active.
About the races
The Curlew Cup and Beaumont Trophy are part of the Cyclone Festival of Cycling, a weekend cycling festival that also features a sportive and family leisure rides (this year held in June).
The Beaumont Trophy is one of the longest-running road races on the domestic calendar. It was first held in 1952 when it was presented by Rex Beaumont, a cycle and motorcycle wholesaler based in Newcastle. Since then, the race has been won by many famous riders including Sir Bradley Wiggins, Chris Newton, Russell and Dean Downing and Malcolm Elliott. The most prolific winner was Ray Wetherell, who won it five times. Wiggins won it twice, including in 2011 when the event played host to the National Road Championships road race. Jacob Scott (WiV SunGod) won the race the last year on his way to winning the National Road Series crown.
The Curlew Cup, meanwhile, was launched in 2012, the year after the women’s national road championships, won by Lizzie Deignan, was held on the same course. The inaugural race was won by Dame Sarah Storey. Other notable winners have included Hannah Barnes (2013), Katie Archibald (2014), Nicki Juniper (2016), Jessica Roberts (2018), and Lizzy Bennett (Drops-Le Col s/b Tempur). Abi Smith won last year’s finish from a reduced bunch sprint. Like Scott, she sealed the National Road Series title with the win.
Both races were postponed from their original date of 18 September this year as a result of the Queen’s funeral.
The route
Starting and finishing by the village green in Stamfordham, the main course for both races is a large 40 kilometre circuit through the Northumberland countryside. It’s a proper ‘racers’ route that features a fast narrow descent leading into a stiff climb (the iconic Ryals) and some challenging Northumberland B-roads. Attritional is the watch word.
The Curlew Cup entails three laps of this circuit, with a total race distance of 122.4 kilometres according to the race manual, making it longer than last year’s edition (which featured two large circuit laps before one lap of a smaller finishing circuit). 1,593 metres of elevation is tackled in the process.
The Beaumont Trophy meanwhile takes in four laps of the large circuit, and then also one lap of a shorter 22 kilometre circuit before the finish, making for a 182.3 kilometre race with 2,312 metres of climbing in all.
About 30 kilometres into the large circuit, the Ryals climb provides the stiffest obstacle of the day. It is preceded by a fast descent, so positioning is important here. What then follows is a drag of over two kilometres featuring three steep ramps in succession. It’s often the decisive point in the race and is where Team Sky launched their attack in the 2011 National Road Championships that led to Sir Bradley Wiggins’ nationals win.
The rise from West Belsay to Kirkheaton can also be a decisive feature if there is a strong enough westerly wind.
The small finishing circuit includes nothing as testing at the Ryals but nonetheless features two short sharp rises, one at the beginning of the lap with gradients of up to 7% and another with about 14 kilometres to go that could provide launchpads for potentially decisive attacks. It’s pretty much all downhill from about nine kilometres to go, bar a small rise to the finish line.
Riders to watch
Curlew Cup
Women’s provisional startlist here.
The Curlew Cup field is much-reduced, perhaps in part because of the race’s postponement and many riders now having finished their season. The provisional line-up still includes plenty of quality though.
Crucially, all of the main protagonists in the National Road Series will take to the start. Series leader Sammie Stuart (CAMS-Basso) has been a revelation this year (two Tour Series round wins perhaps the best of many highlights) and will be a contender in her own right for the win.
Stuart’s nearest rivals are Lucy Lee (Team LDN – Brother UK) and Alice McWilliam (Bianchi Hunt Morvelo), who are 17 and 18 points behind respectively. With Series rankings points available for the first top 20 places, from 30 for the winner down to 1 for 20th place, the race should involve a fascinating tussle for Series honours. Like Stuart, both have had breakthrough seasons and will be keen to round off the year with a flourish.
There are plenty of potential winners elsewhere on the startlist too. Connie Hayes (AWOL O’Shea) has been knocking on the door of a big win for a while and is a good climber, so expect moves from her on the Ryals. Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix winner Becky Storrie (CAMS-Basso) is ideally suited for this course but might be on team duties for Stuart. If not the Le Col-Wahoo bound rider will be a clear favourite. Lancaster Grand Prix victor Mary Wilkinson (Team Boompods) is another contender, while junior sensation Emma Jeffers (JRC-INTERFLON Race Team) will be one to watch if it comes down to a sprint finish. On her way back from maternity leave, Elinor Barker (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team) is another rider we’ll be keeping a close eye on.
Beaumont Trophy
Men’s provisional startlist here.
The men’s Series lead is very nearly wrapped up. It will almost certainly go to a WiV SunGod rider. The main question is, which Scott will it go to? Rob Scott is the current leader, holding an 11-point lead over teammate – and last season’s Series winner – Jake Scott. The pairing has been a formidable duo on the domestic scene this year and both are capable of a win here. It will be interesting to see if they will be allowed to race each other or if team orders will take precedence.
Finn Crockett (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling) sits 30 points behind Rob Scott so would still have a mathematical chance of drawing level with him in the Series but unfortunately isn’t racing.
Who else to watch? Matt Bostock (WiV SunGod) is back racing after time out with concussion and will be a marked rider if it comes down to a sprint. Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling’s future is in serious doubt so their riders will no doubt be keen to impress as they search for a 2023 contract. Zeb Kyffin – who impressed at the Tour of Britain – is our pick from that team.
Saint Piran will likely provide WiV SunGod with the most competition. Jack Rootkin-Gray has been in searing form since he joined the team mid-season, and with Alex Richardson also racing, a repeat of their Ryedale Grand Prix 1-2 is not an impossibility.
Ollie Rees and Max Walker (both TRINITY Racing) are both in excellent form having just finished the Ronde de l’Isard (2.2U) in 4th and 5th respectively, so should go well if they can take that form into the race.
Others to watch include Zappi Racing Team pairing of Matthew Kingston and Ben Granger, George Wood (Cycling Sheffield), James Jenkins and Conor McGoldrick (Richardsons Trek DAS).
National Road Series standings
Women’s and men’s Series standings here.
Timings
Women’s race: begins at 8.45 with the finish estimated at 11.48 (assumes a 40 km/ph schedule).
Men’s race: starts at 13.15 with a 17.39 finish (on a 42 hm/ph schedule).
Weather
The forecast suggests it will be a mild, dry day with temperatures maxing out at 13 degrees.
How to follow
British Cycling will be providing race updates through its Twitter account, and over on Instagram too. The Cyclone Festival Twitter account is another one to watch.
We won’t be at the race this year unfortunately but will publish a race report on Sunday evening.
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