The first of six rounds of the 2023 British Women’s Team Cup, the Dave Peck Memorial is an 85km road race organised by Twickenham Cycling Club. The race was established in 2012 in memory of former Twickenham CC chair Dave Peck, who died in a cycling accident in 2011.
Isabell Darvill won last year’s edition, reaching the line first in a bunch sprint, and is back to defend her win this year.
The finish of the 2022 Dave Peck Memorial road race. Image:Ian Wrightson
Route
The route begins with a neutralised section from the HQ car park at St Ann’s Heath Junior School. There is then a rolling start at the top of Chobham Lane before the race then joins the Staple Hill circuit at the roundabout onto the B386.
From here it is ten laps of the Valley End and Staple Hill circuits, with the finish line placed just after the crest of the Staple Hill climb. It’s a fairly flat course on the whole, with just 76 metres of elevation per lap. The lack of climbing, together with wide, straight roads too, can make it difficult for breakaway attempts to stick. Indeed, last year’s race stayed together until the very end.
The finish requires riders to go long. The Staple Hill climb begins about one kilometre from the finish line. It isn’t steep by UK standards but does pitch up to around 8% in places, and it’s on this climb where the sprint typically begins. As last year’s winner Darvill said, “It is one of those climbs that there is not enough time from the top of the hill to the finish line to start a sprint so you have got to just go”.
Contenders
So, who to look out for? This is a team competition, of course, but riders will still be racing to win.
Isabel Darvill (Team Spectra Cannondale) is a prime pick. Race winner last year, she timed her sprint to perfection on the tricky uphill finish. She has two strong teammates in the form of Lucy Nelson and Xan Crees.
Hutchinson-Brother UK arguably has the strongest squad in the race. Ian Watson’s team has been in excellent form so far this year. Tammy Miller has had an outstanding season so far, winning the tough Peaks 2 Day stage race in March, before finishing 6th at the ANEXO/CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic as part of the lead group. Sian Botteley is another ride starting her season well, 5th at the ANEXO/CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic and then 10th at the RCR Fatcreations Road Race earlier this month. Both riders are in the top ten of our national road race rankings.
Tamsin Miller on her way to victory on stage 1 of the Peaks 2 Day race. Image: ELW Photography
Who else?
Lucy Neatham (LDN-Academy) was an impressive solo winner at the Witham Hall Junior and U23 Women’s Grand Prix this month. Suzetta Guerrini (Le Col) was seventh in this race last year, so will know how to measure her final sprint. Awen Roberts (Liv Cycling Club – Halo Films) might still be a junior but she won a National B road race last year (the Duncan Murray Wines Road Race), so will be another rider to watch.
Timings
The race begins at 11.00.
Weather
The weather should be mild but rain is likely, both before and during the race.
How to follow
The British Women’s Team Cup socials on Twitter and Instagram are likely to be your best bet for keeping tabs on the action. There will also be live timing of the race here.
The British Women’s Team Cup begins this weekend with the Dave Peck Memorial road race in Surrey.
Here is our preview, with startlist, route and timing details.
Featured photo: Ian Wrightson
What is it?
The first of six rounds of the 2023 British Women’s Team Cup, the Dave Peck Memorial is an 85km road race organised by Twickenham Cycling Club. The race was established in 2012 in memory of former Twickenham CC chair Dave Peck, who died in a cycling accident in 2011.
Isabell Darvill won last year’s edition, reaching the line first in a bunch sprint, and is back to defend her win this year.
Route
The route begins with a neutralised section from the HQ car park at St Ann’s Heath Junior School. There is then a rolling start at the top of Chobham Lane before the race then joins the Staple Hill circuit at the roundabout onto the B386.
From here it is ten laps of the Valley End and Staple Hill circuits, with the finish line placed just after the crest of the Staple Hill climb. It’s a fairly flat course on the whole, with just 76 metres of elevation per lap. The lack of climbing, together with wide, straight roads too, can make it difficult for breakaway attempts to stick. Indeed, last year’s race stayed together until the very end.
The finish requires riders to go long. The Staple Hill climb begins about one kilometre from the finish line. It isn’t steep by UK standards but does pitch up to around 8% in places, and it’s on this climb where the sprint typically begins. As last year’s winner Darvill said, “It is one of those climbs that there is not enough time from the top of the hill to the finish line to start a sprint so you have got to just go”.
Contenders
So, who to look out for? This is a team competition, of course, but riders will still be racing to win.
Isabel Darvill (Team Spectra Cannondale) is a prime pick. Race winner last year, she timed her sprint to perfection on the tricky uphill finish. She has two strong teammates in the form of Lucy Nelson and Xan Crees.
Hutchinson-Brother UK arguably has the strongest squad in the race. Ian Watson’s team has been in excellent form so far this year. Tammy Miller has had an outstanding season so far, winning the tough Peaks 2 Day stage race in March, before finishing 6th at the ANEXO/CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic as part of the lead group. Sian Botteley is another ride starting her season well, 5th at the ANEXO/CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic and then 10th at the RCR Fatcreations Road Race earlier this month. Both riders are in the top ten of our national road race rankings.
Who else?
Lucy Neatham (LDN-Academy) was an impressive solo winner at the Witham Hall Junior and U23 Women’s Grand Prix this month. Suzetta Guerrini (Le Col) was seventh in this race last year, so will know how to measure her final sprint. Awen Roberts (Liv Cycling Club – Halo Films) might still be a junior but she won a National B road race last year (the Duncan Murray Wines Road Race), so will be another rider to watch.
Timings
The race begins at 11.00.
Weather
The weather should be mild but rain is likely, both before and during the race.
How to follow
The British Women’s Team Cup socials on Twitter and Instagram are likely to be your best bet for keeping tabs on the action. There will also be live timing of the race here.
Find out more
2023 British Women’s Team Cup: an explainer.
Provisional startlist
Reserves
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