Forget the Classic Loire Atlantique, the Cholet Pays de Loire and the Trofeo Alfredo Binda. Forget Milan-Sanremo. Pah. Hell, forget even Mother’s Day (sorry, Mum). The biggest event this weekend is surely the Peaks 2 Day. More specifically, stage 2 of the men’s Peaks 2 Day on Sunday morning offers a particularly mouthwatering prospect: an individual road bike time trial up the legendary Holme Moss.
The Peaks 2 Day established itself as one of the standout races on the domestic calendar when it ran for the first time last year. Set amidst stunning Peak District scenery, featuring strong fields for both men and women, and hosted by a vibrant new team of young race organisers, it is a rare UK stage racing opportunity at the national level. We cannot wait.
The Peaks 2 Day is a National B stage race organised by the dynamic James Hawkins, Eugene Cross, and the Yomp Bonk Crew. Set in the Peak District, the event includes both men’s and women’s races. Both feature three stages across two days (Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March), taking in some savage yet picturesque terrain. This year is only the race’s second edition but it is already a firm favourite here at British Conti HQ. Stage races are a rarity at the national level, the racing should be scintillating racing, and the parcours is one of the best you’ll find at this level. We’ll be following developments closely.
Becky Storrie (CAMS-Basso) and George Peden (Team PB Performance) were the inaugural winners in last year’s race. Peden will be back to defend his title this time around.
Becky Storrie, far right, on her way to winning the 2022 Peaks 2 Day. Image: Bob MacGregor
How it works
Each race – men’s and women’s – will have an overall winner i.e. the rider that completes the three stages in the shortest time. In the event of riders finishing on the same time, the general classification will be determined by the finishing positions on stages 1, 2 and 3.
In addition, there is a climbing competition with points being awarded for the first six riders across the top of the climb of the specified KOM/QOM laps.
Stage
Men’s race
Women’s race
Stage 1
Laps 2, 4 & 6
No QOM Points
Stage 2
No KOM Points
Laps 2 & 4
Stage 3
Laps 3, 6, 9 & 12
Laps 2, 5, 8 & 11
The points awarded will be as follows: 1st (6 points); 2nd (5 points); 3rd (4 points); 4th (3 points); 5th (2 points); 6th (1 point). In the event of a tie, the placings will be determined based on the number of higher placed results.
There will also be a prize for best local rider.
The stages
Overview
Day one of the race centres around the Bole Hill course, nestled in the heart of the Peak District, to the north-east of Buxton. The course is used for stage 1 of the men’s race, and stages 1 and 2 of the women’s race.
On day two, the action moves first to the legendary Holme Moss climb for stage 2 of the men’s race, before both races finish on the Hade Edge course for stage 3.
Day 1
Women’s race – Stage 1
The women’s race begins with a road bike time trial on the Bole Hill course. It is 12 kilometres long and features 200 metres of elevation. The same course was also used in the opening TT stages last year’s race.
The stage starts and finishes on Batham Gate Road in the village of Peak Dale, northeast of Buxton. It features two ninety-degree left-hand turns early on before a steep, tricky descent to the bottom of Bole Hill.
The road immediately rises as the riders hit Bole Hill, a one-kilometre climb that begins with gradients well over 10%. This will be a real leg-sapper, and riders will need to manage their effort well here in order to have some power left for the rest of the stage.
The road is then undulating until the riders approach the finish line, where they will be treated to an uphill finish in the closing few hundred metres.
“There’s no hiding on this course and there’s no getting lucky”, organiser James Hawkins told us last year, “You just need the legs to win.”
Men’s race – Stage 1 / Women’s race – Stage 2
The riders stay on the same course for the final two events of the day – the opening stage of the men’s race and the second stage of the women’s race.
The main difference here is that the start/finish line is atop Bole Hill, opening up the prospect of a savage uphill finale to both the men’s and women’s stages.
The circuit is 12.4 kilometres long with 269 metres of evaluation, according to VeloViewer. The men will have to tackle it seven times (87 kilometres in total), while the women take on five laps (62 kilometres). The KOM/QOM point is the start/finish line on Bole Hill. KOM/QOM points will be awarded at the top of Bole Hill on the laps specified above.
Hawkins told us last year, “It’s definitely one for breakaway riders; because of the nature of the course, there’s not a big advantage to being in the group, so we definitely expect there to be gaps and splits formed.”
This was definitely the case last year, with Zeb Kyffin and Danni Shrosbree leading in small breakaway groups ahead of fractured fields. The time gaps weren’t race defining though.
Day 2
Men’s race – Stage 2
Stage 2 of the men’s race takes us into classic hill climb territory, with the riders facing a road bike time trial up the fearsome Holme Moss. It is climb that Simon Warren featured in his original 100 Climbs book. At the time he only gave it a 5 out of 10 for difficulty, but later revised it to a 7, reflecting that perhaps he’d had the benefit of generous tailwind the first time he assessed it. The climb is written into cycling folklore and was used on stage 2 of the Tour de France, lined with cheering crowds.
Either way, this is stage for the climbers. A flat opening kilometre eases the riders into their efforts before they reach the climb proper, a two kilometre challenge with an average gradient of 9.5%. It’s a relatively steady effort, with the steepest sections topping out at just over 16%.
Huge kudos should go to the organisers for including this as a stage.
Women’s race Stage 3 / Men’s race – Stage 3
The final stages of the race take place on the Hade Edge course, south of Holmfirth. The course is 6.5 km long with 101 m of elevation. The women face 12 laps, while the men take on 16. KOM/QOM points will be awarded at the left handturn off Dunford Rd onto Flight Hill.
The gradients are not as steep as they are on the other stages but don’t let this fool you. Cycling Sheffield rider James McKay tells us that this is an exposed, punchy course with nowhere to hide or recover. You don’t stay off the pedals, even on the descent that punctuates the first half of the course. Once at the bottom, the roads are often exposed to crosswinds, all the way to the finish line, which is at the top of a stiff drag. In short, it is attritional, and should make for a tough round of final racing.
Timings
Saturday 18 March
Time
Race
Stage
9.01
Women’s race
Stage 1 TT starts
1.1.00
Men’s race
Stage 1 road race starts (approx)
13.30
Men’s race
Stage 1 road race finishes (approx)
15.00
Women’s race
Stage 2 road race starts (approx)
17.00
Women’s race
Stage 2 road race finishes (approx)
Sunday 19 March
Time
Race
Stage
9.01
Men’s race
Stage 2 TT starts
11.00
Women’s race
Stage 3 road race starts (approx)
13.30
Women’s race
Stage 3 road race finishes (approx)
15.00
Men’s race
Stage 3 road race starts (approx)
17.00
Men’s race
Stage 3 road race finishes (approx)
Weather
Saturday’s forecast is for rain, but it should at least be mild with a benign wind. Sunday‘s conditions look a lot more pleasant for riders, volunteers and spectators alike.
Contenders
Men’s race
The domestic peloton was rocked earlier today by the news that AT85 Pro Cycling has folded. As it stands, though, they still have three riders on the startlist, no doubt all eager to showcase themselves.
Max Stedman is the standout. An excellent climber, the former Tour of Antalya winner must be licking his lips at the prospects of the Holme Moss time trial. Toby Barnes is another rider that could go well. He is not an out-and-out climber but acquitted himself well in last year’s race, winning the stage 1 time trial on the way to finishing 5th overall.
Last week’s Capernwray road race winner Ollie Peckover (trainSharp) is clearly in outstanding form. That course is as punchy as the road stages on offer here, and with time trialling a speciality of his, Peckover could well feature this weekend.
Ollie Peckover wins the 2023 Capernwray road race. Image: Ellen Isherwood
Richardsons Trek DAS’ Alex Peters is an excellent climber on his day. He finished third overall in this race last year and if the form is there, who would bet against him going even better this time around?
If last year’s winner George Peden (Team PB Performance) can re-find the form that led to his crushing victory last year, not to mention his second place in the Irish national time trial championships, then he will be another rider to watch.
Who else to watch? Cycling Sheffield’s George Wood and Embark Spirit BSS duo Joe Wilson and Damien Clayton could all animate the race. And 19-year-old Jacob Smith (Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli) turned heads with second place at Capernwray last weekend. We’re keen to see if he can build on that result this weekend.
Women’s race
The women’s race features a particularly strong field.
Two-time Olympic gold medallist on the track, Katie Archibald (Ceratizit-WNT Pro Cycling Team) is an intriguing entry. She hasn’t ridden on the road since Bloeizone Fryslan last March (where she was 4th overall) but, always a fearsome competitor, it will be fascinating to see how she fares.
DAS-Handsling isthe strongest team on paper and has a set of riders that win stages and the overall alike. Danni Shrosbree was a stage winner last year on her way to 5th overall. Sammie Stuart won the National Road Series last year and demonstrated with second at Capernwray last week that her climbing legs are in good shape. Lucy Lee, third in the National Road Series in 2022, is another to watch. 18-year-olds Emma Jeffers and Grace Lister are two young prospects to track too.
Danielle Shrosbree (CAMS-Basso) wins stage 2 of the 2022 Peaks 2 Day. Photo: Full Beans Ahead
Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee also arrive with a strong team. Lucy Ellmore thrives on the climbs, while Zoe Langham and Bexy Dew were both in the top ten at Capernwray.
Speaking of climbers, Lancaster Grand Prix winner Mary Wilkinson is well-suited to this terrain, as is UCI Continental rider Connie Hayes (AWOL O’Shea).
Last, but certainly not least, Nicole Coates (Saint Piran WRT) was third in this race last year, so will be another to watch closely.
Forget the Classic Loire Atlantique, the Cholet Pays de Loire and the Trofeo Alfredo Binda. Forget Milan-Sanremo. Pah. Hell, forget even Mother’s Day (sorry, Mum). The biggest event this weekend is surely the Peaks 2 Day. More specifically, stage 2 of the men’s Peaks 2 Day on Sunday morning offers a particularly mouthwatering prospect: an individual road bike time trial up the legendary Holme Moss.
The Peaks 2 Day established itself as one of the standout races on the domestic calendar when it ran for the first time last year. Set amidst stunning Peak District scenery, featuring strong fields for both men and women, and hosted by a vibrant new team of young race organisers, it is a rare UK stage racing opportunity at the national level. We cannot wait.
Featured image: Ellen Isherwood
What is it?
The Peaks 2 Day is a National B stage race organised by the dynamic James Hawkins, Eugene Cross, and the Yomp Bonk Crew. Set in the Peak District, the event includes both men’s and women’s races. Both feature three stages across two days (Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March), taking in some savage yet picturesque terrain. This year is only the race’s second edition but it is already a firm favourite here at British Conti HQ. Stage races are a rarity at the national level, the racing should be scintillating racing, and the parcours is one of the best you’ll find at this level. We’ll be following developments closely.
Becky Storrie (CAMS-Basso) and George Peden (Team PB Performance) were the inaugural winners in last year’s race. Peden will be back to defend his title this time around.
How it works
Each race – men’s and women’s – will have an overall winner i.e. the rider that completes the three stages in the shortest time. In the event of riders finishing on the same time, the general classification will be determined by the finishing positions on stages 1, 2 and 3.
In addition, there is a climbing competition with points being awarded for the first six riders across the top of the climb of the specified KOM/QOM laps.
The points awarded will be as follows: 1st (6 points); 2nd (5 points); 3rd (4 points); 4th (3 points); 5th (2 points); 6th (1 point). In the event of a tie, the placings will be determined based on the number of higher placed results.
There will also be a prize for best local rider.
The stages
Overview
Day one of the race centres around the Bole Hill course, nestled in the heart of the Peak District, to the north-east of Buxton. The course is used for stage 1 of the men’s race, and stages 1 and 2 of the women’s race.
On day two, the action moves first to the legendary Holme Moss climb for stage 2 of the men’s race, before both races finish on the Hade Edge course for stage 3.
Day 1
Women’s race – Stage 1
The women’s race begins with a road bike time trial on the Bole Hill course. It is 12 kilometres long and features 200 metres of elevation. The same course was also used in the opening TT stages last year’s race.
The stage starts and finishes on Batham Gate Road in the village of Peak Dale, northeast of Buxton. It features two ninety-degree left-hand turns early on before a steep, tricky descent to the bottom of Bole Hill.
The road immediately rises as the riders hit Bole Hill, a one-kilometre climb that begins with gradients well over 10%. This will be a real leg-sapper, and riders will need to manage their effort well here in order to have some power left for the rest of the stage.
The road is then undulating until the riders approach the finish line, where they will be treated to an uphill finish in the closing few hundred metres.
“There’s no hiding on this course and there’s no getting lucky”, organiser James Hawkins told us last year, “You just need the legs to win.”
Men’s race – Stage 1 / Women’s race – Stage 2
The riders stay on the same course for the final two events of the day – the opening stage of the men’s race and the second stage of the women’s race.
The main difference here is that the start/finish line is atop Bole Hill, opening up the prospect of a savage uphill finale to both the men’s and women’s stages.
The circuit is 12.4 kilometres long with 269 metres of evaluation, according to VeloViewer. The men will have to tackle it seven times (87 kilometres in total), while the women take on five laps (62 kilometres). The KOM/QOM point is the start/finish line on Bole Hill. KOM/QOM points will be awarded at the top of Bole Hill on the laps specified above.
Hawkins told us last year, “It’s definitely one for breakaway riders; because of the nature of the course, there’s not a big advantage to being in the group, so we definitely expect there to be gaps and splits formed.”
This was definitely the case last year, with Zeb Kyffin and Danni Shrosbree leading in small breakaway groups ahead of fractured fields. The time gaps weren’t race defining though.
Day 2
Men’s race – Stage 2
Stage 2 of the men’s race takes us into classic hill climb territory, with the riders facing a road bike time trial up the fearsome Holme Moss. It is climb that Simon Warren featured in his original 100 Climbs book. At the time he only gave it a 5 out of 10 for difficulty, but later revised it to a 7, reflecting that perhaps he’d had the benefit of generous tailwind the first time he assessed it. The climb is written into cycling folklore and was used on stage 2 of the Tour de France, lined with cheering crowds.
Either way, this is stage for the climbers. A flat opening kilometre eases the riders into their efforts before they reach the climb proper, a two kilometre challenge with an average gradient of 9.5%. It’s a relatively steady effort, with the steepest sections topping out at just over 16%.
Huge kudos should go to the organisers for including this as a stage.
Women’s race Stage 3 / Men’s race – Stage 3
The final stages of the race take place on the Hade Edge course, south of Holmfirth. The course is 6.5 km long with 101 m of elevation. The women face 12 laps, while the men take on 16. KOM/QOM points will be awarded at the left handturn off Dunford Rd onto Flight Hill.
The gradients are not as steep as they are on the other stages but don’t let this fool you. Cycling Sheffield rider James McKay tells us that this is an exposed, punchy course with nowhere to hide or recover. You don’t stay off the pedals, even on the descent that punctuates the first half of the course. Once at the bottom, the roads are often exposed to crosswinds, all the way to the finish line, which is at the top of a stiff drag. In short, it is attritional, and should make for a tough round of final racing.
Timings
Saturday 18 March
Sunday 19 March
Weather
Saturday’s forecast is for rain, but it should at least be mild with a benign wind. Sunday‘s conditions look a lot more pleasant for riders, volunteers and spectators alike.
Contenders
Men’s race
The domestic peloton was rocked earlier today by the news that AT85 Pro Cycling has folded. As it stands, though, they still have three riders on the startlist, no doubt all eager to showcase themselves.
Max Stedman is the standout. An excellent climber, the former Tour of Antalya winner must be licking his lips at the prospects of the Holme Moss time trial. Toby Barnes is another rider that could go well. He is not an out-and-out climber but acquitted himself well in last year’s race, winning the stage 1 time trial on the way to finishing 5th overall.
Last week’s Capernwray road race winner Ollie Peckover (trainSharp) is clearly in outstanding form. That course is as punchy as the road stages on offer here, and with time trialling a speciality of his, Peckover could well feature this weekend.
Richardsons Trek DAS’ Alex Peters is an excellent climber on his day. He finished third overall in this race last year and if the form is there, who would bet against him going even better this time around?
If last year’s winner George Peden (Team PB Performance) can re-find the form that led to his crushing victory last year, not to mention his second place in the Irish national time trial championships, then he will be another rider to watch.
Who else to watch? Cycling Sheffield’s George Wood and Embark Spirit BSS duo Joe Wilson and Damien Clayton could all animate the race. And 19-year-old Jacob Smith (Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli) turned heads with second place at Capernwray last weekend. We’re keen to see if he can build on that result this weekend.
Women’s race
The women’s race features a particularly strong field.
Two-time Olympic gold medallist on the track, Katie Archibald (Ceratizit-WNT Pro Cycling Team) is an intriguing entry. She hasn’t ridden on the road since Bloeizone Fryslan last March (where she was 4th overall) but, always a fearsome competitor, it will be fascinating to see how she fares.
DAS-Handsling is the strongest team on paper and has a set of riders that win stages and the overall alike. Danni Shrosbree was a stage winner last year on her way to 5th overall. Sammie Stuart won the National Road Series last year and demonstrated with second at Capernwray last week that her climbing legs are in good shape. Lucy Lee, third in the National Road Series in 2022, is another to watch. 18-year-olds Emma Jeffers and Grace Lister are two young prospects to track too.
Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee also arrive with a strong team. Lucy Ellmore thrives on the climbs, while Zoe Langham and Bexy Dew were both in the top ten at Capernwray.
Speaking of climbers, Lancaster Grand Prix winner Mary Wilkinson is well-suited to this terrain, as is UCI Continental rider Connie Hayes (AWOL O’Shea).
Last, but certainly not least, Nicole Coates (Saint Piran WRT) was third in this race last year, so will be another to watch closely.
Startlists
Men’s race
Women’s race
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