The 2024 women’s National Road Series is set to commence this Sunday, 17 March, with what promises to be a quintessential spring classic: the 8th edition of the ANEXO CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic.
Featured photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. 2023 Women’s CiCLE Classic.
What is it?
The women’s CiCLE Classic, a highlight in the UK cycling calendar, takes place amidst the picturesque yet challenging terrains of Rutland and East Leicestershire. Despite this being only in its eighth iteration, the event has quickly become a pivotal fixture in the UK’s women’s road racing circuit. Mirroring the men’s edition, it is celebrated for its unique off-road segments and its vibrant Belgian roadside ambience that enriches the British road racing landscape.
Last year marked a significant shift as the race transitioned to March from its usual June slot, making it the inaugural event of the women’s National Road Series – the earliest start in the series’ history. This change, warmly received for enhancing the race’s resemblance to the Belgian classics, appears to be a permanent fixture.
It’s one of those races that’s a bit of a game of luck. You can make it all the way to that last sector, get a puncture and then realised your team care is stuck in another narrow road somewhere and you can’t get a wheel and it’s race over. So you’ve got to have some good luck on the day, as well as some good legs
The race’s future was in doubt two years ago after losing its longstanding main sponsor, Pete Stanton, in protest at British Cycling’s suspension of its transgender policy. Thankfully, the Anexo Group then committed to sponsoring the race for the next three years which, together with support from Dame Laura Kenny, means the future of the race is now safeguarded until at least 2025.
Last year’s race was clinched by Jess Finney, who executed an exhilarating long-distance sprint to edge out Monica Greenwood and Flora Perkins. The race’s roll of honour includes esteemed riders such as Josie Nelson, Abi Smith, Emily Nelson, Neah Evans, Katie Archibald, and Becky Durrell.
The event unfolds in the afternoon, preceded by the men’s Junior CiCLE Classic in the morning. The junior edition also kicks off the men’s Junior Road Series, sharing the course with the women’s race.
The race starts and finishes in Melton Mowbray, famous for its pork pies. 105km long, and in three ‘parts’, it’s a circuitous course that will take in the off-road sectors of Sawgate Lane, Somerberg, Manor Farm, and Newbold Manor, as well as the three categorised climbs of the day: Burrough Berg, Cold Overton Berg, and Cuckooberg. Each sector is rated for difficulty with Somerberg, which is ridden twice (once in each direction), the most fearsome of all.
I think it’ll probably start off quite nervous and hectic because everybody’s raring to go and everybody knows that the off-road comes pretty quickly and the roads in Rutland are pretty narrow. Yeah, the pressure will be on to be at the front pretty early
In the first part of the race (in green on the map below), the race rolls out from Melton Mowbray on some fairly wide roads. Once the riders reach Owston the peloton will ride the Owston-Burrough circuit in the opposite direction to the way the course was run prior to the 2021 edition.
This completely changes the complexion of the lap, as there are some sharp inclines to tackle immediately after tight corners which riders will need to take at almost a dead stop.
#
Sector
Length
Rating
3 & 7
Newbold Manor
1100m
**
6 & 4 (ridden in reverse)
Manor Farm
700m
****
5 & 2 (ridden in reverse)
Somerberg
2200m
*****
1
Sawgate Lane
500m
****
Riders then head into the second part (blue) where they will take on the most challenging of the sectors, the Somerberg, for the first time. The final part of the race (red) takes in more sectors before sending the riders back to Melton Mowbray.
It’s so important to be positioned well at the right time, because it is a bit of a game of luck, but by preparing properly, you can make your own luck to a certain extent
Riders then do a full lap of the finishing circuit – which includes the final sector of Sawgate Lane – before heading back to Melton Mowbray to decide the race winner.
The winner receives the Dame Laura Kenny Trophy and £1000 in prize money, donated by the multiple-Olympic gold medallist herself.
2023 National Road Series – ANEXO/CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic – Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Timings
14.00 – 16.20 approx
Weather
At the time of writing, the forecast says it will rain in the run-up to the race, which could add mud and slippery roads to the mix. However, race day so far looks dry and mild, meaning the conditions might not be quite as Belgian as they were at last weekend’s Jock Wadley Memorial.
The challenging off-road terrain makes the CiCLE Classic one of the most unpredictable races on the British calendar. And, as the first national road race of the season, rider form is difficult to gauge. The entry list, featuring over 130 competitors, includes a wealth of notable contenders.
I do think that Monica is going to be hard to see past really. And then there’s also Jess Finney who won last year the race I did in Belgium the other day, Jess was really strong, and she aways pulls out a good performance when it matters
Jessica Finney of Doltcini-O’Shea, last year’s champion, aims to make history as the first to clinch victory twice. Finney secured her win against Monica Greenwood, the eventual National Road Series champion, with a decisive sprint from distance.
2023 Women’s National Road Series – ANEXO/CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic – Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England – Monica Greenwood of DAS – Handsling Bikes. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Greenwood, now of Team Coop-Repsol, is back on the startlist too, looking to go one better. “I was really disappointed last year not to win, I’m not going to lie,” Greenwood recently told The British Continental, explaining “I would have backed myself to win that sprint nine times out of ten. I made one mistake and that was the difference”.
Several strong teams will be looking to secure a win of their own. The newly merged DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK has options, including local rider Sian Botteley who knows these roads intimately and finished fifth last year.
The HESS Cycling Team, debuting as a British UCI Continental team in 2024, boasts a formidable international roster. This includes Marjolein Van’t Geloof, a Dutch expert in classics, alongside Alice McWilliam, a former runner-up in the National Road Series.
2023 Women’s National Road Series – ANEXO/CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic – Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England – Jo Tindley of Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Pro-Noctis – 200o Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd, recognised for their cohesive teamwork, combine the expertise of seasoned racers like Jo Tindley with emerging stars such as Lowri Richards. The Alba Road Development Team, another new entry to the UCI Continental tier, aims to leave their mark with a strong team including ex-DAS-Handsling riders Beth Morrow and Emma Matthews.
I think we should watch some of these juniors, to be honest
Junior teams shouldn’t be overlooked either. Shibden Apex Race Team impressed last season, and both Liv Cycling Club-Halo Films and Tofauti Everyone Active boast highly talented young riders eager for standout performances.
2023 Women’s National Road Series – ANEXO/CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic – Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England – Ellen McDermott of Team Boompods. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Individual competitors also pose significant threats, including Ellen McDermott of Keukens Redant Cycling Team, second-place finisher in 2021; El King of Lifeplus-Wahoo, who finished third in 2022; and Lucy Gadd of Le Col RT, a Paris-Roubaix Femmes participant aiming for a standout year after a rollercoaster 2023 on the UCI Continental circuit.
In a race where the outcome is anything but predictable, the victor will undoubtedly be deserving of their triumph in what promises to be another riveting CiCLE Classic.
How to follow
Our reporter Joe Hudson will be at the race too, bringing you updates on our Instagram stories.
British Cycling will have live updates on its social media channels.
The 2024 women’s National Road Series is set to commence this Sunday, 17 March, with what promises to be a quintessential spring classic: the 8th edition of the ANEXO CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic.
Featured photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. 2023 Women’s CiCLE Classic.
What is it?
The women’s CiCLE Classic, a highlight in the UK cycling calendar, takes place amidst the picturesque yet challenging terrains of Rutland and East Leicestershire. Despite this being only in its eighth iteration, the event has quickly become a pivotal fixture in the UK’s women’s road racing circuit. Mirroring the men’s edition, it is celebrated for its unique off-road segments and its vibrant Belgian roadside ambience that enriches the British road racing landscape.
Last year marked a significant shift as the race transitioned to March from its usual June slot, making it the inaugural event of the women’s National Road Series – the earliest start in the series’ history. This change, warmly received for enhancing the race’s resemblance to the Belgian classics, appears to be a permanent fixture.
The race’s future was in doubt two years ago after losing its longstanding main sponsor, Pete Stanton, in protest at British Cycling’s suspension of its transgender policy. Thankfully, the Anexo Group then committed to sponsoring the race for the next three years which, together with support from Dame Laura Kenny, means the future of the race is now safeguarded until at least 2025.
Last year’s race was clinched by Jess Finney, who executed an exhilarating long-distance sprint to edge out Monica Greenwood and Flora Perkins. The race’s roll of honour includes esteemed riders such as Josie Nelson, Abi Smith, Emily Nelson, Neah Evans, Katie Archibald, and Becky Durrell.
The event unfolds in the afternoon, preceded by the men’s Junior CiCLE Classic in the morning. The junior edition also kicks off the men’s Junior Road Series, sharing the course with the women’s race.
Read our National Road Series explainer here.
The route
The race starts and finishes in Melton Mowbray, famous for its pork pies. 105km long, and in three ‘parts’, it’s a circuitous course that will take in the off-road sectors of Sawgate Lane, Somerberg, Manor Farm, and Newbold Manor, as well as the three categorised climbs of the day: Burrough Berg, Cold Overton Berg, and Cuckooberg. Each sector is rated for difficulty with Somerberg, which is ridden twice (once in each direction), the most fearsome of all.
In the first part of the race (in green on the map below), the race rolls out from Melton Mowbray on some fairly wide roads. Once the riders reach Owston the peloton will ride the Owston-Burrough circuit in the opposite direction to the way the course was run prior to the 2021 edition.
This completely changes the complexion of the lap, as there are some sharp inclines to tackle immediately after tight corners which riders will need to take at almost a dead stop.
Riders then head into the second part (blue) where they will take on the most challenging of the sectors, the Somerberg, for the first time. The final part of the race (red) takes in more sectors before sending the riders back to Melton Mowbray.
Riders then do a full lap of the finishing circuit – which includes the final sector of Sawgate Lane – before heading back to Melton Mowbray to decide the race winner.
The winner receives the Dame Laura Kenny Trophy and £1000 in prize money, donated by the multiple-Olympic gold medallist herself.
Timings
14.00 – 16.20 approx
Weather
At the time of writing, the forecast says it will rain in the run-up to the race, which could add mud and slippery roads to the mix. However, race day so far looks dry and mild, meaning the conditions might not be quite as Belgian as they were at last weekend’s Jock Wadley Memorial.
Riders to watch
View the startlist here.
The challenging off-road terrain makes the CiCLE Classic one of the most unpredictable races on the British calendar. And, as the first national road race of the season, rider form is difficult to gauge. The entry list, featuring over 130 competitors, includes a wealth of notable contenders.
Jessica Finney of Doltcini-O’Shea, last year’s champion, aims to make history as the first to clinch victory twice. Finney secured her win against Monica Greenwood, the eventual National Road Series champion, with a decisive sprint from distance.
Greenwood, now of Team Coop-Repsol, is back on the startlist too, looking to go one better. “I was really disappointed last year not to win, I’m not going to lie,” Greenwood recently told The British Continental, explaining “I would have backed myself to win that sprint nine times out of ten. I made one mistake and that was the difference”.
Several strong teams will be looking to secure a win of their own. The newly merged DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK has options, including local rider Sian Botteley who knows these roads intimately and finished fifth last year.
The HESS Cycling Team, debuting as a British UCI Continental team in 2024, boasts a formidable international roster.
This includes Marjolein Van’t Geloof, a Dutch expert in classics, alongside Alice McWilliam, a former runner-up in the National Road Series.Pro-Noctis – 200o Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd, recognised for their cohesive teamwork, combine the expertise of seasoned racers like Jo Tindley with emerging stars such as Lowri Richards. The Alba Road Development Team, another new entry to the UCI Continental tier, aims to leave their mark with a strong team including ex-DAS-Handsling riders Beth Morrow and Emma Matthews.
Junior teams shouldn’t be overlooked either. Shibden Apex Race Team impressed last season, and both Liv Cycling Club-Halo Films and Tofauti Everyone Active boast highly talented young riders eager for standout performances.
Individual competitors also pose significant threats, including Ellen McDermott of Keukens Redant Cycling Team, second-place finisher in 2021; El King of Lifeplus-Wahoo, who finished third in 2022; and Lucy Gadd of Le Col RT, a Paris-Roubaix Femmes participant aiming for a standout year after a rollercoaster 2023 on the UCI Continental circuit.
In a race where the outcome is anything but predictable, the victor will undoubtedly be deserving of their triumph in what promises to be another riveting CiCLE Classic.
How to follow
Our reporter Joe Hudson will be at the race too, bringing you updates on our Instagram stories.
British Cycling will have live updates on its social media channels.
We also expect the Women’s CiCLE Classic Twitter account to be active throughout the day too.
Listen
Listen to the latest The British Continental podcast episode previewing of the women’s National Road Series and the ANEXO/CAMS CiCLE Classic.
Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and many other platforms.
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