Elite road racing is back with ANEXO/CAMS 8th Women’s CiCLE Classic on 17 March, which forms Round 1 of the women’s National Road Series. But what is the National Road Series, why does it matter and how does it work?
Featured photo: Oliver Brookwell/SWpix.com
What is the National Road Series?
The premier road racing series in the UK for men and women. A season-long competition run by British Cycling, this year it features six confirmed rounds for women and five for the ‘open’ category (with a ‘to be confirmed’ stage race also on the cards). The races typically attract the top domestic teams, including British UCI Continental teams and Elite Development Teams.
It’s showcasing the best of our talent in the UK and it is hard. The racing is aggressive, it’s hilly, it’s grippy… it’s really developed as a series too
The series involves individual and team competitions for both men and women, and also includes a separate under-23 competition for men and women, with prize money attached, and the overall winners of each of the three competitions crowned after the final round of the series.
The application of the term ‘national’ to describe the series might raise eyebrows, given its geographical constraints. Despite its title, the series bypasses Wales and Scotland entirely – although the ‘to be confirmed’ stage race may change the latter – with the events exclusively staged in the regions beyond the ‘Watford Gap’. Yet, its national character is undeniable, drawing the finest cyclists and teams from every corner of the United Kingdom.
2023 Women’s Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix presented by Wattbike. Image: Oliver Brookwell/SWpix.com
Why is the Series important?
It is the only series of road races in the UK that features Britain’s top domestic Continental and elite-level teams, including teams from British Cycling’s new ‘Elite Development Team’ tier. The winners – at the individual, team, and now under-23, levels – can therefore claim bragging rights as the best road racing performers in the country. It’s a showcase of the best domestic road racing talent.
With only one UCI road race in the UK that any of the elite-level teams are eligible to enter (the Rutland-Melton International CiCLE Classic), this Series incorporates the highest tier of road races that an elite domestic team can ride without going abroad (elite level teams are eligible to participate in .2 class races).
I think it matters hugely. I think it plays a really big role in the development of the rider… it’s a platform where we can practice team tactics at a level that is very high… It really allows us to implement tactics and practice… on a level that is a bit more manageable.
The National Road Series is a cornerstone of the domestic road racing scene, acting as a pivotal platform for the development of both emerging and seasoned cyclists. As outlined in a recent podcast episode, the Series represents more than just a collection of races. It’s a system fostering growth, competition, and the progression of riders. It serves as a critical bridge between domestic competition and the international stage, as well as a stepping stone for riders looking to progress from National B road racing, an indispensable part of the UK’s cycling landscape.
What are the races?
Last year’s calendar was the slimmest it has ever been, consisting of five one-day races for women and four for men. With the costs and administrative barriers for road racing raising the bar ever higher for putting on a National A road race, the concern was that the Series may never fully recover.
However, British Cycling’s announcement of the 2024 calendar offers some hope. The East Cleveland Classic will in effect be a revival of the East Cleveland Klondike Grand Prix, while a new stage race is pencilled in for the end of the September, although this is yet to be confirmed. The Tour of the Reservoir was also due to return after a four-year absence, but the organisers announced in February that the race would not go ahead, for this year at least.
The result is that there are six definite races on the women’s calendar, five on the ‘open’ calendar, as well as the ‘to be confirmed’ stage race at the end of September.
2023 Men’s Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix – Zeb Kyffin of Saint Piran crossing the line second. Image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
‘Open’ calendar
First of all, for those confused by the term ‘Open’ calendar, it is the result of British Cycling’s Transgender and Non-Binary Participation Policy, which created a new Open category to replace what was previously the men’s category. Transgender women, transgender men, non-binary individuals and those whose sex was assigned male at birth are eligible to compete in the Open category (those whose sex was assigned female at birth are also able to compete in the Open category if they so wish).
The East Cleveland Classic supported by Redcar and Cleveland Council will be the first race of the Series on 14 April, with the iconic Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix then forming round two on 12 May.
Date
Round
Race
14 Apr
1
The East Cleveland Classic supported by Redcar and Cleveland Council
12 May
2
Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix
6-7 Jul
3
Tour of the Reservoir
28 Jul
3
Lancaster Grand Prix
18 Aug
4
Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix
15 Sep
5
The Beaumont Trophy
27-29 Sep
TBC
TBC
The Lancaster Grand Prix, a race which has gone from strength to strength, is positioned at the end of July, two days after the final round of the National Circuit Series, while the stalwarts that are the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix and the Beaumont Trophy retain their August and September positions in the Series calendar.
The yet-to-be-confirmed stage race is slated to be the Series decided and would take place at the end of September.
Women’s calendar
The women’s National Road Series will comprise a possible eight rounds in 2024, up from five in 2023. It shares the same races as the open Series but with one important difference: the 8th ANEXO/CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic. This race keeps its new March date, a move which resulted in a mud-filled edition of the 2023 edition a truly deserving winner in Jess Finney.
Date
Round
Race
17 Mar
1
The 8th ANEXO/CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic
14 Apr
2
The East Cleveland Classic supported by Redcar and Cleveland Council
12 May
3
Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix
6-7 Jul
4
The Alexandra Tour of the Reservoir
28 Jul
4
Lancaster Grand Prix
18 Aug
5
Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix
15 Sep
6
The Curlew Cup
27-29 Sep
TBC
TBC
2023 National Road Series Round 5 – 2023 Curlew Cup – Stamfordham, Northumberland, England – Series Leader Monica Greenwood of Team DAS Handsling Bikes before the start. Image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
History
2024 is only the National Road Series’ fifth year since it began in 2019 (it was not held in 2020 because of the Covid lockdowns) but there has long been previous incarnations of this top-tier domestic road race series.
The first domestic men’s road race series was called The Star Trophy, which began in the 1950s. It was renamed The Premier Calendar in 1993. Many people still refer to the national series as The Premier Calendar and call National A road races ‘Prems’. In recent years, from 2014, the men’s series was known as the Elite Road Series consisting of two competitions: a Spring Cup series in the first part of the year and a Grand Prix series in the latter half. Previous winners of these series include Scott Thwaites, Russell Downing, Malcolm Elliot, Chris Newton, Paul Curran, Steve Joughin and Paul Sherwen.
Last year Zeb Kyffin (Saint Piran) won the individual men’s National Road Series, with his team Saint Piran dominating the team competition. Kyffin’s teammate Jack Rootkin-Gray was the best under-23 rider.
Year
Men’s Series individual winner
Women’s Series individual winner
2019
Matt Holmes (Madison Genesis)
Rebecca Durrell (Brother UK – Tifosi p/b OnForm)
2021
Jacob Scott (Canyon dhb SunGod)
Abi Smith (Team Breeze)
2022
Rob Scott (WiV SunGod)
Sammie Stuart (CAMS-Basso)
2023
Zeb Kyffin (Saint Piran)
Monica Greenwood (DAS-Handsling)
Past individual winners of the National Road Series
There has been a national women’s road race series since at least 1981, when it was called the Jo Bruton Trophy. Previous winners include Sophie Wright, Lizzy Banks, Nicola Juniper, Hannah Barnes, Dame Sarah Storey, Joanna Rowsell, Lisa Brambani, Rebecca Durrell and Abi Smith.
Last season, Monica Greenwood (DAS-Handsling) was the individual women’s National Road Series victor, with her team DAS-Handsling also sealing the team win. Robyn Clay (Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen- 200 Degrees Coffee) was the top under-23 rider.
2023 Men’s Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix presented by Wattbike – Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England – Oliver Rees of Trinity Racing Climb Michaelgate lined with fans> Image: Oliver Brookwell/SWpix.com
Scoring
The points system changed in 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.
The new system was designed to favour smaller teams, who can now pick points even for minor placing, and to encourage fight for places right down to 40th place in each race.
Individual classification points for the first 40 places in each single day road race:
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
Only those riders completing the full race distance will be awarded series points. If riders are black flagged due to being outside the time limit they will not receive series points.
The overall winner of the Series will be the rider who gains the highest total number of points across the Series with all rounds to count. The highest placed U23 rider in the final overall standings will be given the title of U23 series winner.
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.
Teams
Three important team rules to note:
The first is that “British UCI Continental Teams are expected to be present at every round of the National Road Series event with a minimum of four riders and up to a maximum of eight.” This rule was in place last year but not all teams complied. It is not clear what penalty, if any, there is for non-compliance.
The second is that “Elite Development Teams are required to ride at least 80% of rounds with a minimum of four riders.” Again, it’s not clear what the penalty is for non-compliance.
The third, new for 2024 and one that only applied to the Open category: “Teams with the same paying agent or owner may not compete in the same race.” In effect, this bans the new USKIS Saint Piran development team from competing alongside the Saint Piran UCI Continental team (or vice versa) in National Road Series events. It also means that as Saint Piran is a UCI Continental team and USKIS Saint Piran is an EDT, it will be impossible for both teams to comply with the minimum participation rules set out above. We understand, however, that Saint Piran will be exempted from these.
Read more
The full set of regulations for the Open Series can be found here. The women’s regs are here.
The British Cycling pages on the National Road Series, for men and women, can be found here.
Updated 5 July 2024
Elite road racing is back with ANEXO/CAMS 8th Women’s CiCLE Classic on 17 March, which forms Round 1 of the women’s National Road Series. But what is the National Road Series, why does it matter and how does it work?
Featured photo: Oliver Brookwell/SWpix.com
What is the National Road Series?
The premier road racing series in the UK for men and women. A season-long competition run by British Cycling, this year it features six confirmed rounds for women and five for the ‘open’ category (with a ‘to be confirmed’ stage race also on the cards). The races typically attract the top domestic teams, including British UCI Continental teams and Elite Development Teams.
The series involves individual and team competitions for both men and women, and also includes a separate under-23 competition for men and women, with prize money attached, and the overall winners of each of the three competitions crowned after the final round of the series.
The application of the term ‘national’ to describe the series might raise eyebrows, given its geographical constraints. Despite its title, the series bypasses Wales and Scotland entirely – although the ‘to be confirmed’ stage race may change the latter – with the events exclusively staged in the regions beyond the ‘Watford Gap’. Yet, its national character is undeniable, drawing the finest cyclists and teams from every corner of the United Kingdom.
Why is the Series important?
It is the only series of road races in the UK that features Britain’s top domestic Continental and elite-level teams, including teams from British Cycling’s new ‘Elite Development Team’ tier. The winners – at the individual, team, and now under-23, levels – can therefore claim bragging rights as the best road racing performers in the country. It’s a showcase of the best domestic road racing talent.
With only one UCI road race in the UK that any of the elite-level teams are eligible to enter (the Rutland-Melton International CiCLE Classic), this Series incorporates the highest tier of road races that an elite domestic team can ride without going abroad (elite level teams are eligible to participate in .2 class races).
The National Road Series is a cornerstone of the domestic road racing scene, acting as a pivotal platform for the development of both emerging and seasoned cyclists. As outlined in a recent podcast episode, the Series represents more than just a collection of races. It’s a system fostering growth, competition, and the progression of riders. It serves as a critical bridge between domestic competition and the international stage, as well as a stepping stone for riders looking to progress from National B road racing, an indispensable part of the UK’s cycling landscape.
What are the races?
Last year’s calendar was the slimmest it has ever been, consisting of five one-day races for women and four for men. With the costs and administrative barriers for road racing raising the bar ever higher for putting on a National A road race, the concern was that the Series may never fully recover.
However, British Cycling’s announcement of the 2024 calendar offers some hope. The East Cleveland Classic will in effect be a revival of the East Cleveland Klondike Grand Prix,
while a new stage race is pencilled in for the end of the September, although this is yet to be confirmed. The Tour of the Reservoir was also due to return after a four-year absence, but the organisers announced in February that the race would not go ahead, for this year at least.The result is that there are six definite races on the women’s calendar, five on the ‘open’ calendar,
as well as the ‘to be confirmed’ stage race at the end of September.‘Open’ calendar
First of all, for those confused by the term ‘Open’ calendar, it is the result of British Cycling’s Transgender and Non-Binary Participation Policy, which created a new Open category to replace what was previously the men’s category. Transgender women, transgender men, non-binary individuals and those whose sex was assigned male at birth are eligible to compete in the Open category (those whose sex was assigned female at birth are also able to compete in the Open category if they so wish).
The East Cleveland Classic supported by Redcar and Cleveland Council will be the first race of the Series on 14 April, with the iconic Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix then forming round two on 12 May.
6-7 Jul3Tour of the Reservoir27-29 SepTBCTBCThe Lancaster Grand Prix, a race which has gone from strength to strength, is positioned at the end of July, two days after the final round of the National Circuit Series, while the stalwarts that are the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix and the Beaumont Trophy retain their August and September positions in the Series calendar.
The yet-to-be-confirmed stage race is slated to be the Series decided and would take place at the end of September.Women’s calendar
The women’s National Road Series will comprise a possible eight rounds in 2024, up from five in 2023. It shares the same races as the open Series but with one important difference: the 8th ANEXO/CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic. This race keeps its new March date, a move which resulted in a mud-filled edition of the 2023 edition a truly deserving winner in Jess Finney.
6-7 Jul4The Alexandra Tour of the Reservoir27-29 SepTBCTBCHistory
2024 is only the National Road Series’ fifth year since it began in 2019 (it was not held in 2020 because of the Covid lockdowns) but there has long been previous incarnations of this top-tier domestic road race series.
The first domestic men’s road race series was called The Star Trophy, which began in the 1950s. It was renamed The Premier Calendar in 1993. Many people still refer to the national series as The Premier Calendar and call National A road races ‘Prems’. In recent years, from 2014, the men’s series was known as the Elite Road Series consisting of two competitions: a Spring Cup series in the first part of the year and a Grand Prix series in the latter half. Previous winners of these series include Scott Thwaites, Russell Downing, Malcolm Elliot, Chris Newton, Paul Curran, Steve Joughin and Paul Sherwen.
Last year Zeb Kyffin (Saint Piran) won the individual men’s National Road Series, with his team Saint Piran dominating the team competition. Kyffin’s teammate Jack Rootkin-Gray was the best under-23 rider.
There has been a national women’s road race series since at least 1981, when it was called the Jo Bruton Trophy. Previous winners include Sophie Wright, Lizzy Banks, Nicola Juniper, Hannah Barnes, Dame Sarah Storey, Joanna Rowsell, Lisa Brambani, Rebecca Durrell and Abi Smith.
Last season, Monica Greenwood (DAS-Handsling) was the individual women’s National Road Series victor, with her team DAS-Handsling also sealing the team win. Robyn Clay (Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen- 200 Degrees Coffee) was the top under-23 rider.
Scoring
The points system changed in 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.
The new system was designed to favour smaller teams, who can now pick points even for minor placing, and to encourage fight for places right down to 40th place in each race.
Individual classification points for the first 40 places in each single day road race:
Only those riders completing the full race distance will be awarded series points. If riders are black flagged due to being outside the time limit they will not receive series points.
The overall winner of the Series will be the rider who gains the highest total number of points across the Series with all rounds to count. The highest placed U23 rider in the final overall standings will be given the title of U23 series winner.
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.
Teams
Three important team rules to note:
Read more
The full set of regulations for the Open Series can be found here. The women’s regs are here.
The British Cycling pages on the National Road Series, for men and women, can be found here.
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