This is an edited version of our brand new British Conti CC newsletter. See the original version here. Subscribe to British Conti CC to get future editions of the Communiqué delivered straight to your inbox.

Intro

Hello British Conti CCers!

It’s no exaggeration to say that the elite-level domestic road racing scene is well and truly on life support. If this season’s meagre National Road Series was not enough to make the heart sink, this week came the news that the Tour Series will not go ahead in 2023. True, it should return next year, but it follows a steady stream of blows to the scene in recent times. And it denies domestic teams a key opportunity to engage with local fans and show their colours (and sponsors) on TV.

The news contrasts with the results sheets from recent international races which highlight that the UK’s talent pool is perhaps deeper than ever, with Ethan Vernon, Tom Pidcock, Lukas Nerurkar and Oliver Knight among the riders to impress since our last Communiqué.

So it isn’t all bad news. And there’s even a rumour that a new race will emerge later this year. Read on to find out more…

Denny Gray, Founder & Editor, The British Continental

PS The Communqué should return next week to what we hope will be a regular Wednesday slot.

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Feature

A warm spring evening in the sunshine. Crowds lapping up drinks in a buzzing town centre as they watch riders lapping a testing, twisty circuit. It is a spectacle we have grown accustomed to since the Tour Series began back in 2009.

Unfortunately, there will be no scenes like this in UK town centres this May after Sweetspot announced that the Tour Series will take a one-year hiatus in 2023. 

“This decision has been made in light of the most challenging economic climate the series has faced since its inaugural edition in 2009,” Sweetspot said in its press release. “It has proved impossible to compile a commercially viable calendar of events for the intended series in May owing to the pressures on local authority funding, combined with the wider economic challenges all businesses face.”

Some on social media have pinned the blame on British Cycling. The governing body is an easy target when news of this kind – all too frequent – is announced. And it is true that there is more they could – and should – do to help revive our cherished, ailing, road racing scene. But Sweetspot’s announcement also highlights how closely intertwined the racing calendar is with the financial health of local authorities and the wider economy. Watch out for a post on The British Continental about this very soon.

Quote

I want to enjoy the sport for what it is this year … I don’t want to be too caught up in so much pressure on myself and trying to deliver

Damien Clayton

Watch out for a feature-length interview with the new Embark Spirit BSS rider next week on The British Continental.

Digest

Results

UCI road races

• Tom Pidcock transitioned seamlessly from mud to mountains at the Volta ao Algarve (2.Pro) on Saturday with a stage 4 win atop Alto do Malhão. Pidcock finished the race 7th overall.
• Ethan Vernon, riding for the Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team, continued his excellent start to the season with wins on stages 1 and 2 of the Tour of Rwanda (2.1). This follows his win at the Trofeo Palma and 2nd at the Trofeo Alcudia – Port d’Alcudia, making him the winningest British rider on the road so far this year.
• We’ve also enjoyed following 19-year-old cyclocross specialist Joe Blackmore (Great Britain) at the Tour of Rwanda. As we write, he sits 12th overall, just 27 seconds behind the leader, with two stages remaing.
• Another 19-year-old making a mark this week has been Lukas Nerurkar. The TRINITY Racing rider finished 7th on stage 2 of the Gran Camiño, not far behind stage winner (and current Tour de France champion), Jonas Vingegaard. The result means he now leads the best young rider classification.

Amateur road races

• Oliver Knight and Louis Sutton were part of the winning AVC Aix-en-Provence team at the Boucles du Haut-Var V, a team time trial.
• Charlie Paige (Bourg-en-Bresse Ain Cyclisme) continued his good start to the season with 5th at the GP Puyloubier.

News

The good

• Spectra Cannondale (formerly Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus) announced that six riders will return to its squad for 2023: Dan Barnes, Xan Crees, Freddie Scheske, Travis Bramley, Anna Flynn and Simon Wylie. The team has also revealed that Isabell Darvill (from Pro-Noctis–Rotor–Red Chilli Bikes) and Elliot Barratt (from SCRT – Muc-Off) are the first of its new signings. 
• 35-year-old Chris Opie, who won the Ronde van Midden Nederland and a stage of the Tour de Korea back in 2016 (among other career achievements), has revealed he is making a comeback of sorts. After riding his first road race since 2018 at the Perfs Pedal, he said on Instagram that he is aiming for more events this year after the two-time Perfs winner finished a solid 15th. 
• Fresh off a shift as a Junior Doctor at University Hospital Birmingham, Zoe Langham put in a storming display at the UCI World eSports Championships to finish second – a fraction behind Loes Adegeest. Langham will be racing on the road this season for Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee. 

The bad

• Despite one of the brightest kits in the peloton, Trinity Racing’s Bob Donaldson has sadly announced he’s broken four vertebrae after being hit by a driver whilst out on a training ride. He tells he expects to be out for 4-6 weeks as a result. We send him all our wishes for a speedy recovery. 

The ugly

• As already highlighted, Sweetspot, organiser of the Tour Series, has confirmed the multi-city event won’t take place in 2023. Citing ‘wider economic challengers’ Sweetspot confirmed it couldn’t get a calendar organised for this year and is instead changing focus to the 15th edition of the Tour Series in 2024. 

Read

• One of Britain’s greatest-ever bike riders, Eileen Sheridan, passed away on 12 February at the age of 99. Do take the time to read William Fotheringham’s obituary if you have not already done so. 

Watch

• We loved this video showing the finish line crowd at the Perfs Pedal road race. Not bad for a National B road race on a chilly Sunday in February!

Rumours

• OK, now this is exciting. We have heard wind that there could be a new two-day stage race in Scotland (Dunoon to be precise) this year, taking place 17-18 June. A National A race, it could be part of the National Road Series. We understand that it is still some way from being confirmed. But if it is, it would be such a welcome boost. Keep all your fingers crossed folks.

Upcoming races

• The TRINITY Racing team continues its road racing season debut at the Gran Camiño (2.1, 23-26 Feb).
• Lifeplus-Wahoo is all set for a season debut at the iconic Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (1.WWT) tomorrow. The team races again the next day at Omloop van het Hageland (1.1).
• British junior teams Anexo Group and Fensham-Howes, Zappi Junior RT and Bäckstedt Bike Performance all ride Kuurne – Brussel – Kuurne Juniors(1.1) on Sunday.
• On Tuesday Lifeplus-Wahoo is joined by AWOL O’Shea at Le Samyn (1.1) – one of our favourite races of the year.
• AT85 Pro Cycling (formerly WiV SunGod) also make a season debut at Le Samyn (1.1).

Kit

There is still a limited number of Rapha x The British Continental jerseys and gilets available. If you would like to get your hands on them before they go, feel free to use the code 40OFF to get 40% off your order.

The British Continental. Proudly presented by Rapha, supported by HUNT and Dolan.