This weekend’s exclusive national road racing event is the Peaks 2 Day stage race, which has quickly earned a distinguished reputation, warranting its unique spot on the calendar.
Since its debut in 2022, the Peaks 2 Day has quickly become a prominent fixture in the domestic racing calendar. Situated in the breathtaking landscapes of the Peak District and attracting competitive fields for both Open category and women’s racers, it represents a unique chance for stage racing at the national level in the UK, and we’re eagerly looking forward to it.
A National B stage race sponsored by Giant Sheffield, the event is the brainchild of the energetic Yomp Bonk Crew. The race spans two days, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 March, and comprises three stages for both men and women.
Becky Storrie (CAMS-Basso) and George Peden (Team PB Performance) were the inaugural winners, while Tammy Miller (Hutchinson-Brother UK) and Ollie Peckover (trainSharp Elite) were the champions last season. Miller is back in 2024 to defend her crown.
Schedule
Saturday 23 March
Time
Race
Stage
9.00
Women’s race
Stage 1 time trial
1.1.00
Open race
Stage 1 road race
15.00
Women’s race
Stage 2 road race
Sunday 24 March
Time
Race
Stage
9.00
Open race
Stage 2 time trial
11.00
Women’s race
Stage 3 road race
15.00
Open race
Stage 3 road race
The stages
Overview
Day one of the race centres around the Bole Hill course, nestled in the heart of the Peak District, to the north-east of Buxton. The course is used for stages 1 and 2 of the women’s race, and stage 1 of the Open race.
On day two, the action moves first to the legendary Holme Moss climb for stage 2 of the men’s race, before both races finish on the Hade Edge course for stage 3.
Day 1
Women’s race – Stage 1 Time Trial
Stage cancelled due to forecasted snow.
The women’s race begins with a road bike time trial on the Bole Hill course. 12 kilometres long, it features 200 metres of elevation. It is the same course that was used in the women’s time trial stages in the previous two editions.
The stage starts and finishes on Batham Gate Road in the village of Peak Dale, northeast of Buxton. It features two ninety-degree left-hand turns early on before a steep, tricky descent to the bottom of Bole Hill.
The road immediately rises as the riders hit Bole Hill, a one-kilometre climb that begins with gradients well over 10%. This will be a real leg-sapper, and riders will need to manage their effort well here in order to have some power left for the rest of the stage.
The road is then undulating until the riders approach the finish line, where they will be treated to an uphill finish in the closing few hundred metres.
Open race – Stage 1 / Women’s race – Stage 2
The riders stay on the same course for the final two events of the day – the opening stage of the Open race and the second stage of the women’s race.
The main difference here is that the finish line is atop Bole Hill, opening up the prospect of a savage uphill finale to both stages.
The circuit is 12.4 kilometres long with 269 metres of evaluation, according to VeloViewer. The men will tackle it eight and a half times (104 kilometres in total with 1800m of climbing), while the women take on five and a half laps (67 kilometres, 1150m of elevation). The KOM/QOM point is the start/finish line on Bole Hill. KOM/QOM points will be awarded at the top of Bole Hill on the laps specified above.
Race organiser James Hawkins told us in 2022, “It’s definitely one for breakaway riders; because of the nature of the course, there’s not a big advantage to being in the group, so we definitely expect there to be gaps and splits formed.”
This was definitely the case last year, Lucy Lee and Toby Barnes took wins ahead of fractured fields. The time gaps weren’t race defining though.
Day 2
Men’s race – Stage 2
As in 2023, stage 2 of the men’s race takes us into classic hill climb territory, with the riders facing a road bike time trial up the fearsome Holme Moss. It was fantastical spectacle last season, so we are pleased to see it return.
This ascent is highlighted in Simon Warren’s seminal ‘100 Climbs’ book, initially rated as a medium challenge at 5 out of 10, which was later adjusted to a more formidable 7, Warren later admitting that his initial evaluation might have been influenced by an unusually helpful tailwind. Holme Moss has become an iconic segment in cycling history, notably featuring during stage 2 of the 2014 Tour de France, lined with cheering crowds.
This stage is tailor-made for climbers. It starts with a gentle, flat kilometre, providing a smooth transition before confronting the cyclists with the main ascent, a strenuous two-kilometer stretch that averages a 9.5% gradient.
Last year’s stage winner Jacob Smith (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) is back to defend his Holme Moss crown again in 2024.
Women’s race Stage 3 / Men’s race – Stage 3
The race culminates with a challenging road stage. As in 2023, the stage takes place in the Hade Edge, but this time around take on the longer Carlecotes course.
The new circuit is longer than last year’s edition, taking in 10.6km (as opposed to 6.5km) and 180m of climbing. The Open race take is in 10 laps, while the women face 8, with both races then turning off up Flight Hill for the final dash to the finish line. The Open stage is 106km in all, with 1800m of climbing, while the women’s stage is 85km in length with 1400m of elevation.
The gradients may not be as steep as the previous stages, but the roads are often exposed and with plenty of climbing still to tackle, this should be an attritional final stage.
Weather
Saturday’s forecast is for light rain and a fresh breeze. The weather for Sunday‘s stages looks more pleasant for riders, volunteers and spectators alike, with sunshine and lighter winds.
How it works
Each race – Open category and women’s – will have an overall winner i.e. the rider that completes the three stages in the shortest time. In the event of riders finishing on the same time, the general classification will be determined by the finishing positions on stages 1, 2 and 3.
In addition, there is a climbing competition with points being awarded for the first six riders across the top of the climb of the specified KOM/QOM laps.
Stage
Men’s race
Women’s race
Stage 1
Laps 2, 4 & 6
No QOM Points
Stage 2
No KOM Points
Laps 2 & 4
Stage 3
Laps 3, 6, 9 & 12
Laps 2, 5, 8 & 11
The points awarded will be as follows: 1st (6 points); 2nd (5 points); 3rd (4 points); 4th (3 points); 5th (2 points); 6th (1 point). In the event of a tie, the placings will be determined based on the number of higher placed results.
There will also be a prize for best local rider.
Riders to watch
Women’s race
The women’s race may not have a full field, but there is nonetheless still plenty of strength in depth, with three UCI Continental teams (Alba Road Development Team, DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK and Pro-Noctis – 200 Degrees Coffee – Hargreaves Consulting) fielding full squads and plenty more talent besides.
Last year’s winner Tamsin Miller heads up a strong DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK squad which has arguably the most threatening of squads. Miller’s teammates include Lucy Lee, who won stage 1 last season, ‘Queen of the Midlands‘ Frankie Hall, and 19-year-old Morven Yeoman who was 7th at the CiCLE Classic at the weekend and bagged an excellent top 20 at the Clasica de Almeria earlier this year.
Tammy Miller at the 2023 Peaks 2 Day. Image: Emma Wilcock
The Alba Road Development Team announced themselves as a UCI Continental team at the CiCLE Classic on Sunday with breakthrough performances, headlined by Eilidh Shaw’s second place. Shaw doesn’t start this one, but they do have Amelia Tyler, who was fifth at CiCLE and could suit this race. Former DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK rider Emma Matthews is another one to watch.
Zoe Langham wins stage 3 of the 2023 Peak 2 Day. Image: Bob MacGregor
We are excited to see how the junior Shibden Apex RT team perform. Their team is headlined by Imogen Wolff who took an audacious 33km solo win at the Trofeo Binda Juniors Nations Cup race at the weekend. Teammate Esther Wong already had top ten performances in hilly National B races as a first-year junior last season, while 2023 Dudley Grand Prix winner Lucy Glover and cyclocross specialist Alice Colling also have the potential to shine here.
Lucy Harris (Loughborough Lightning) demonstrated her good form with eight at the CiCLE Classic on Sunday. She was eight too in this race last season so will be one to keep an eye on. Our journal contributor Lucy Gadd is also a form rider, and was unlucky to puncture out of the leading group at the CiCLE Classic on the finishing circuit. She will hoping for better luck this weekend.
Open race
It is difficult to start any race preview these days without highlighting the Saint Piran team first, so accustomed we are now to the men in black dominating domestic races, and this weekend is no different.
James McKay is the standout name for Saint Piran. His breakthrough domestic performances last season earned him his move to Saint Piran and while he isn’t yet in top shape, he’ll nonetheless be a threat. Former Junior Tour of Wales winner Tyler Hannay won the Clayton Velo Spring Classic earlier this year and will another contender, as will Welshman Huw Buck Jones from the UKSIS Saint Piran development team, highlight his own good form with second at the Wally Gimber Trophy last week.
James McKay talks to The British Continental’s Joe Hudson after his podium at the 2023 Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic. Image: Joe Cotterill/The British Continental
Local team Cycling Sheffield have contenders in the form of David Hird, who was seventh at the Wally Gimber last weekend and third at the GP de St. Quentin the weekend before that, and Matthew Warhurst who was on the podium in this race last year.
Spectra Racing may have lost key sponsor Cannondale this year but they still have an impressive squad. Toby Barnes is a former stage winner at this race, Jenson Young was second on GC in 2023, while Edward Morgan won the punchy Aughton Road Race last year. It’s an impressive line-up, one that could go closest to rivalling the Saint Piran team.
Toby Barnes pips Jenson Young to stage 1 victory at the 2023 Peaks 2 Day. Image: Emma Wilcock
The Wheelbase CabTech Castelli outfit has an equally strong squad. Jacob Smith won the Holme Moss time trial stage last year. Tom Martin won the Gifford Road Race last weekend, while Thomas Armstrong and Joseph Smith are both capable of pulling off good results in their own right.
Others to watch include Royal Navy Cup winner Jordan Giles and former Sky rider Alex Peters. Both Richardsons Trek DAS riders were in the mix on GC in this race last year. Damien Clayton (Le Col RT) has had a strong start to the season and was a stage winner in the Peaks 2 Day last year. 2023 Tour du Maurice winner Archie Cross (Schils – Doltcini) is an excellent climber so will be one to watch on the Holme Moss time trial, while 2023 PB Performance Espoirs Road Race winner William Truelove (Thriva-SRCT) is also worth a mention.
Updated: 20:00, 22 March
This weekend’s exclusive national road racing event is the Peaks 2 Day stage race, which has quickly earned a distinguished reputation, warranting its unique spot on the calendar.
This is our in-depth preview of the 2024 edition:
Featured image: Emma Wilcock
What is it?
Since its debut in 2022, the Peaks 2 Day has quickly become a prominent fixture in the domestic racing calendar. Situated in the breathtaking landscapes of the Peak District and attracting competitive fields for both Open category and women’s racers, it represents a unique chance for stage racing at the national level in the UK, and we’re eagerly looking forward to it.
A National B stage race sponsored by Giant Sheffield, the event is the brainchild of the energetic Yomp Bonk Crew. The race spans two days, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 March, and comprises three stages for both men and women.
Becky Storrie (CAMS-Basso) and George Peden (Team PB Performance) were the inaugural winners, while Tammy Miller (Hutchinson-Brother UK) and Ollie Peckover (trainSharp Elite) were the champions last season. Miller is back in 2024 to defend her crown.
Schedule
Saturday 23 March
9.00Women’s raceStage 1 time trialSunday 24 March
The stages
Overview
Day one of the race centres around the Bole Hill course, nestled in the heart of the Peak District, to the north-east of Buxton. The course is used for stages 1 and 2 of the women’s race, and stage 1 of the Open race.
On day two, the action moves first to the legendary Holme Moss climb for stage 2 of the men’s race, before both races finish on the Hade Edge course for stage 3.
Day 1
Women’s race – Stage 1 Time Trial
Stage cancelled due to forecasted snow.
The women’s race begins with a road bike time trial on the Bole Hill course. 12 kilometres long, it features 200 metres of elevation. It is the same course that was used in the women’s time trial stages in the previous two editions.The stage starts and finishes on Batham Gate Road in the village of Peak Dale, northeast of Buxton. It features two ninety-degree left-hand turns early on before a steep, tricky descent to the bottom of Bole Hill.The road immediately rises as the riders hit Bole Hill, a one-kilometre climb that begins with gradients well over 10%. This will be a real leg-sapper, and riders will need to manage their effort well here in order to have some power left for the rest of the stage.The road is then undulating until the riders approach the finish line, where they will be treated to an uphill finish in the closing few hundred metres.Open race – Stage 1 / Women’s race – Stage 2
The riders stay on the same course for the final two events of the day – the opening stage of the Open race and the second stage of the women’s race.
The main difference here is that the finish line is atop Bole Hill, opening up the prospect of a savage uphill finale to both stages.
The circuit is 12.4 kilometres long with 269 metres of evaluation, according to VeloViewer. The men will tackle it eight and a half times (104 kilometres in total with 1800m of climbing), while the women take on five and a half laps (67 kilometres, 1150m of elevation). The KOM/QOM point is the start/finish line on Bole Hill. KOM/QOM points will be awarded at the top of Bole Hill on the laps specified above.
Race organiser James Hawkins told us in 2022, “It’s definitely one for breakaway riders; because of the nature of the course, there’s not a big advantage to being in the group, so we definitely expect there to be gaps and splits formed.”
This was definitely the case last year, Lucy Lee and Toby Barnes took wins ahead of fractured fields. The time gaps weren’t race defining though.
Day 2
Men’s race – Stage 2
As in 2023, stage 2 of the men’s race takes us into classic hill climb territory, with the riders facing a road bike time trial up the fearsome Holme Moss. It was fantastical spectacle last season, so we are pleased to see it return.
This ascent is highlighted in Simon Warren’s seminal ‘100 Climbs’ book, initially rated as a medium challenge at 5 out of 10, which was later adjusted to a more formidable 7, Warren later admitting that his initial evaluation might have been influenced by an unusually helpful tailwind. Holme Moss has become an iconic segment in cycling history, notably featuring during stage 2 of the 2014 Tour de France, lined with cheering crowds.
This stage is tailor-made for climbers. It starts with a gentle, flat kilometre, providing a smooth transition before confronting the cyclists with the main ascent, a strenuous two-kilometer stretch that averages a 9.5% gradient.
Last year’s stage winner Jacob Smith (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) is back to defend his Holme Moss crown again in 2024.
Women’s race Stage 3 / Men’s race – Stage 3
The race culminates with a challenging road stage. As in 2023, the stage takes place in the Hade Edge, but this time around take on the longer Carlecotes course.
The new circuit is longer than last year’s edition, taking in 10.6km (as opposed to 6.5km) and 180m of climbing. The Open race take is in 10 laps, while the women face 8, with both races then turning off up Flight Hill for the final dash to the finish line. The Open stage is 106km in all, with 1800m of climbing, while the women’s stage is 85km in length with 1400m of elevation.
The gradients may not be as steep as the previous stages, but the roads are often exposed and with plenty of climbing still to tackle, this should be an attritional final stage.
Weather
Saturday’s forecast is for light rain and a fresh breeze. The weather for Sunday‘s stages looks more pleasant for riders, volunteers and spectators alike, with sunshine and lighter winds.
How it works
Each race – Open category and women’s – will have an overall winner i.e. the rider that completes the three stages in the shortest time. In the event of riders finishing on the same time, the general classification will be determined by the finishing positions on stages 1, 2 and 3.
In addition, there is a climbing competition with points being awarded for the first six riders across the top of the climb of the specified KOM/QOM laps.
The points awarded will be as follows: 1st (6 points); 2nd (5 points); 3rd (4 points); 4th (3 points); 5th (2 points); 6th (1 point). In the event of a tie, the placings will be determined based on the number of higher placed results.
There will also be a prize for best local rider.
Riders to watch
Women’s race
The women’s race may not have a full field, but there is nonetheless still plenty of strength in depth, with three UCI Continental teams (Alba Road Development Team, DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK and Pro-Noctis – 200 Degrees Coffee – Hargreaves Consulting) fielding full squads and plenty more talent besides.
Last year’s winner Tamsin Miller heads up a strong DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK squad which has arguably the most threatening of squads. Miller’s teammates include Lucy Lee, who won stage 1 last season, ‘Queen of the Midlands‘ Frankie Hall, and 19-year-old Morven Yeoman who was 7th at the CiCLE Classic at the weekend and bagged an excellent top 20 at the Clasica de Almeria earlier this year.
The Alba Road Development Team announced themselves as a UCI Continental team at the CiCLE Classic on Sunday with breakthrough performances, headlined by Eilidh Shaw’s second place. Shaw doesn’t start this one, but they do have Amelia Tyler, who was fifth at CiCLE and could suit this race. Former DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK rider Emma Matthews is another one to watch.
Pro-Noctis – 200 Degrees Coffee – Hargreaves Consulting line up with a strong squad. Zoe Langham was second in this race last year after winning stage 3, so will be looking to go one better in the GC. Lucy Ellmore suits a punchy course so could do well, while the experienced Jo Tindley can never be discounted.
We are excited to see how the junior Shibden Apex RT team perform. Their team is headlined by Imogen Wolff who took an audacious 33km solo win at the Trofeo Binda Juniors Nations Cup race at the weekend. Teammate Esther Wong already had top ten performances in hilly National B races as a first-year junior last season, while 2023 Dudley Grand Prix winner Lucy Glover and cyclocross specialist Alice Colling also have the potential to shine here.
Lucy Harris (Loughborough Lightning) demonstrated her good form with eight at the CiCLE Classic on Sunday. She was eight too in this race last season so will be one to keep an eye on. Our journal contributor Lucy Gadd is also a form rider, and was unlucky to puncture out of the leading group at the CiCLE Classic on the finishing circuit. She will hoping for better luck this weekend.
Open race
It is difficult to start any race preview these days without highlighting the Saint Piran team first, so accustomed we are now to the men in black dominating domestic races, and this weekend is no different.
James McKay is the standout name for Saint Piran. His breakthrough domestic performances last season earned him his move to Saint Piran and while he isn’t yet in top shape, he’ll nonetheless be a threat. Former Junior Tour of Wales winner Tyler Hannay won the Clayton Velo Spring Classic earlier this year and will another contender, as will Welshman Huw Buck Jones from the UKSIS Saint Piran development team, highlight his own good form with second at the Wally Gimber Trophy last week.
Local team Cycling Sheffield have contenders in the form of David Hird, who was seventh at the Wally Gimber last weekend and third at the GP de St. Quentin the weekend before that, and Matthew Warhurst who was on the podium in this race last year.
Spectra Racing may have lost key sponsor Cannondale this year but they still have an impressive squad. Toby Barnes is a former stage winner at this race, Jenson Young was second on GC in 2023, while Edward Morgan won the punchy Aughton Road Race last year. It’s an impressive line-up, one that could go closest to rivalling the Saint Piran team.
The Wheelbase CabTech Castelli outfit has an equally strong squad. Jacob Smith won the Holme Moss time trial stage last year. Tom Martin won the Gifford Road Race last weekend, while Thomas Armstrong and Joseph Smith are both capable of pulling off good results in their own right.
Others to watch include Royal Navy Cup winner Jordan Giles and former Sky rider Alex Peters. Both Richardsons Trek DAS riders were in the mix on GC in this race last year. Damien Clayton (Le Col RT) has had a strong start to the season and was a stage winner in the Peaks 2 Day last year. 2023 Tour du Maurice winner Archie Cross (Schils – Doltcini) is an excellent climber so will be one to watch on the Holme Moss time trial, while 2023 PB Performance Espoirs Road Race winner William Truelove (Thriva-SRCT) is also worth a mention.
Provisional startlists
Women’s race
Open race
Share this:
Discover more from The British Continental
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.