The 2023 National Circuit Series begins this year with the Otley Grand Prix on Wednesday 28 June. This brief explainer tells you what it is and how it works.
What is it?
A series of town centre criteriums held every summer over June and July, organised by British Cycling.
This year the men’s series has shrunk from six races to four, whilst the women’s series has disappeared altogether. Instead, the women’s National Road Series will include one circuit race, at Otley.
2022 National Circuit Series – Round 2: Ilkley Cycle Races – Riders in action during the Lister Horsfall Men’s Grand Prix. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
What are the races?
The 2023 National Circuit Series programme offers an expanded set of races compared with 2022, with the series incorporating seven rounds for the men, and six for the women (last year there were six and five respectively).
The Barnsley Town Centre Races sadly disappear, but that is offset by the addition of the long-running Guildford Town Centre Races, which steps up from National B event status, and the brand new Dudley Grand Prix organised by Chris Lawrence. It is also welcome news that the Sheffield Grand Prix will host a women’s round for the first time. The Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix is the only event that does not include a women’s race.
Both the men’s and women’s series will open in Otley, which always plays host to a magnificent evening of racing, at the end of June, while the Newark Town Centre Races will crown the Series winners on 28 July.
Men’s calendar
Date
Round
Race
28 Jun
1
Property Development Men’s Otley Grand Prix
30 Jun
2
The Ilkley Cycle Races
5 Jul
3
Guildford Town Centre Races
14 Jul
4
Dudley Grand Prix
19 Jul
5
Sheffield Grand Prix
25 Jul
6
Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix
28 Jul
7
Newark Town Centre Races
Women’s calendar
Date
Round
Race
28 Jun
1
The Santini Otley Women’s Grand Prix
30 Jun
2
The Ilkley Cycle Races
8 Jul
3
Guildford Town Centre Races
14 Jul
4
Dudley Grand Prix
19 Jul
5
Sheffield Grand Prix
28 Jul
6
Newark Town Centre Races
Scoring
The points system has been changed for 2023. In previous seasons, points were awarded to the top 20 riders, whereas this year, the top 40 riders in each race all accrue points.
British Cycling National Circuit Series points shall be awarded for finishing positions as below:
Pos
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Pts
50
48
46
44
42
40
38
36
34
32
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
Pos
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Pts
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
For the individual classification, the overall winner of the series will be the rider who gains the highest total number of points across each series respectively.
Only teams starting a race with three or more riders will be considered for the team classification in that race. The team classification for each race will be determined by the finishing position of the three best-placed riders in each team only. The classification will be calculated based on the sum total of the finishing positions for the first three riders of each team. Points will be assigned as per the individual standings (see above). The team that accumulates the most points at the end of the Series shall win the overall team classification.
Read more
Our explainer on the National Road Series is here.
The British Cycling pages on the National Circuit Series can be found here. The series regulations can be accessed here.
Featured image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. 2022 National Circuit Series – Round 2: Ilkley Cycle Races – Riders in action during the Lister Horsfall Men’s Grand Prix.
The 2023 National Circuit Series begins this year with the Otley Grand Prix on Wednesday 28 June. This brief explainer tells you what it is and how it works.
What is it?
A series of town centre criteriums held every summer over June and July, organised by British Cycling.
This year the men’s series has shrunk from six races to four, whilst the women’s series has disappeared altogether. Instead, the women’s National Road Series will include one circuit race, at Otley.
What are the races?
The 2023 National Circuit Series programme offers an expanded set of races compared with 2022, with the series incorporating seven rounds for the men, and six for the women (last year there were six and five respectively).
The Barnsley Town Centre Races sadly disappear, but that is offset by the addition of the long-running Guildford Town Centre Races, which steps up from National B event status, and the brand new Dudley Grand Prix organised by Chris Lawrence. It is also welcome news that the Sheffield Grand Prix will host a women’s round for the first time. The Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix is the only event that does not include a women’s race.
Both the men’s and women’s series will open in Otley, which always plays host to a magnificent evening of racing, at the end of June, while the Newark Town Centre Races will crown the Series winners on 28 July.
Men’s calendar
Women’s calendar
Scoring
The points system has been changed for 2023. In previous seasons, points were awarded to the top 20 riders, whereas this year, the top 40 riders in each race all accrue points.
British Cycling National Circuit Series points shall be awarded for finishing positions as below:
For the individual classification, the overall winner of the series will be the rider who gains the highest total number of points across each series respectively.
Only teams starting a race with three or more riders will be considered for the team classification in that race. The team classification for each race will be determined by the finishing position of the three best-placed riders in each team only. The classification will be calculated based on the sum total of the finishing positions for the first three riders of each team. Points will be assigned as per the individual standings (see above). The team that accumulates the most points at the end of the Series shall win the overall team classification.
Read more
Our explainer on the National Road Series is here.
The British Cycling pages on the National Circuit Series can be found here. The series regulations can be accessed here.
Featured image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. 2022 National Circuit Series – Round 2: Ilkley Cycle Races – Riders in action during the Lister Horsfall Men’s Grand Prix.
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