This event pays tribute to cycling legend Owen Blower, a pillar of the organising club, Leicestershire RC. Owen left an unforgettable mark on the local cycling community. He was a dedicated clubman and had prolific success as a competitor, including winning the coveted BBAR in 1958 and breaking the 12-hour TT record with a remarkable distance of 271.809 miles.
After a break from competition to support his daughters’ cycling careers, Owen returned as a Vet and achieved impressive victories, including breaking the National 25-mile TT Record for his age category with a remarkable time of 54 minutes and 7 seconds. His legacy as a selfless and accomplished cyclist continues to inspire and be celebrated by the community.
Last year the memorial race ran as a two-day stage race, with a prologue and criterium at Mallory Park and a road stage the following day. The now truncated format sees riders tackle seven laps of the Six Hill Circuit.
A men’s 3/4 race takes place in the morning with the women’s National B event in the afternoon.
The event is sponsored by Punk’d Protein.
Route
The well-used 15.2km Six Hill Circuit just east of Loughborough is a staple in the East Midlands Road Race League, due to its smooth, wide roads and rolling terrain.
At just 126m of elevation per lap, it’s fairly flat, although what ascent there comes towards the finish line. First, there is the small kicker of the Walton Climb about 2km from the finish, a 400m rise that pitches up over 8% at its worst. From there it is downhill for 700m before a climb to the finish for the last 600m.
The race takes in seven laps of the circuit, with just over 100km to be covered in total.
Timings
The race rolls out from race HQ at 13.30 with an expected finish of 16.30.
Contenders
We are now becoming accustomed to Hutchinson-Brother UK being one of the strongest teams in the race at National B events this year and this race should be no different. Peaks 2 Day winner Tamsin Miller is one of their ace cards; she hasn’t finished lower than 6th in a National B this season. Meanwhile, her teammate Lydia Watts demonstrated she has a strong uphill finish when she led in the bunch to finish second at the Dave Peck Memorial.
Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee are more than capable challengers. In national road race rankings leader Zoe Langham they have the most consistent performer of the season. Teammate Bexy Dew is almost there or thereabouts so far this season too.
Others to watch include Francesca Hall (Loughborough Lightning), winner of the recent BUCS Road Race Championships, and Ellen McDermott (Team Boompods) and Tour Series round winner last season.
The 2023 Owen Blower Memorial road race (Nat B) takes place on the renowned Six Hills Circuit near Loughborough this Sunday 4th June.
Featured image: Emma Wilcock
What is it?
This event pays tribute to cycling legend Owen Blower, a pillar of the organising club, Leicestershire RC. Owen left an unforgettable mark on the local cycling community. He was a dedicated clubman and had prolific success as a competitor, including winning the coveted BBAR in 1958 and breaking the 12-hour TT record with a remarkable distance of 271.809 miles.
After a break from competition to support his daughters’ cycling careers, Owen returned as a Vet and achieved impressive victories, including breaking the National 25-mile TT Record for his age category with a remarkable time of 54 minutes and 7 seconds. His legacy as a selfless and accomplished cyclist continues to inspire and be celebrated by the community.
Last year the memorial race ran as a two-day stage race, with a prologue and criterium at Mallory Park and a road stage the following day. The now truncated format sees riders tackle seven laps of the Six Hill Circuit.
A men’s 3/4 race takes place in the morning with the women’s National B event in the afternoon.
The event is sponsored by Punk’d Protein.
Route
The well-used 15.2km Six Hill Circuit just east of Loughborough is a staple in the East Midlands Road Race League, due to its smooth, wide roads and rolling terrain.
At just 126m of elevation per lap, it’s fairly flat, although what ascent there comes towards the finish line. First, there is the small kicker of the Walton Climb about 2km from the finish, a 400m rise that pitches up over 8% at its worst. From there it is downhill for 700m before a climb to the finish for the last 600m.
The race takes in seven laps of the circuit, with just over 100km to be covered in total.
Timings
The race rolls out from race HQ at 13.30 with an expected finish of 16.30.
Contenders
We are now becoming accustomed to Hutchinson-Brother UK being one of the strongest teams in the race at National B events this year and this race should be no different. Peaks 2 Day winner Tamsin Miller is one of their ace cards; she hasn’t finished lower than 6th in a National B this season. Meanwhile, her teammate Lydia Watts demonstrated she has a strong uphill finish when she led in the bunch to finish second at the Dave Peck Memorial.
Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee are more than capable challengers. In national road race rankings leader Zoe Langham they have the most consistent performer of the season. Teammate Bexy Dew is almost there or thereabouts so far this season too.
UCI Continental contenders come in the form of DAS-Handsling’s Lucy Lee and Katie Scott. Lee was second in her last race at the Banbury Star Cyclists’ Club road race and was a stage winner at the Peaks 2 Day. This race should suit her.
Others to watch include Francesca Hall (Loughborough Lightning), winner of the recent BUCS Road Race Championships, and Ellen McDermott (Team Boompods) and Tour Series round winner last season.
Provisional startlist
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