The Proper Northern Series kicks off this weekend with the Capernwray Road Race, an event with an illustrious list of past winners organised by the brilliant Cold Dark North.
The Capernwray Road Races, distinguished by separate competitions for women and men, are celebrated ‘National B‘ road races organized by the esteemed team at Cold Dark North. Positioned to the northeast of Lancaster, in close proximity to the Lancaster Grand Prix route, this event is notorious for its gruelling uphill finale on a segment whimsically named ‘Sunny Bank’.
The event boasts a prestigious roster of past victors, featuring renowned names such as Lizzie Deignan, Joanna Rowsell, Danni King, Sarah Storey, Lizzy Banks, Ian Bibby, Joss Lowden, Ross Lamb, Lucy Ellmore, Finn Crockett, and Mary Wilkinson, marking its significance in the domestic racing scene.
Last year’s women’s race announced the arrival of Cat Ferguson as a junior road racer par excellence, while the men’s event was won by Ollie Peckover at the start of what was a dominant few weeks for the trainSharp Elite rider.
Cat Ferguson wins the 2023 Capernwray Road Race. Image: Ellen Isherwood
The event forms the first round of Cold Dark North’s Proper Northern Road Race Series…
The Proper Northern Road Race Series: how it works
The Series consists of three races, all taking place on grippy roads with summit or hilltop finishes.
Round
Date
Race
1
31 Mar
Capernwray Road Race
2
21 Apr
Aughton Road Race (TBC)
3
19 May
Oakenclough Road Race
The Series includes both an individual competition and a team competition.
In the individual competition, the first 20 riders across the line in each race score points. From 1st place through to 20th the points scale is: 60, 52, 45, 40, 35, 31, 27, 23, 20, 17, 15, 13, 11, 9, 7, 6, 5, 3, 2, 1. The rider who accumulates the most points across the three races wins the competition.
For the team competition, each individual finisher earns points for their team based on the UCI points scale used for the Tour de France GC, which assigns points from 1st place down to 60th. The points earned by the top three finishers of each team are added up to determine the team rankings for each race. Best placed team gets 60 pts, etc. The final ranking of teams will be on the basis of the total points earned across the three rounds.
Route
A 12.7-kilometer anti-clockwise circuit concludes atop Sunny Bank, featuring 195 meters of ascent per lap. The Open race is slated for 8 laps, while the women are set for 6, subject to final confirmation by the commissaires on the day. Characterised by its undulating, technical nature and several narrow road sections, the course offers ample opportunities for breakaway aspirants to make a move and disappear from view.
The route commences southward from Borwick and Priest Hutton Memorial Hall down Borwick Lane, veering left onto Capernwray Road upon reaching Borwick. Participants enter the circuit as Capernwray Road converges with Borwick Road at the Keer Holme Lane junction, embarking on the circuit in an anti-clockwise direction.
The peloton accesses the circuit shortly before approaching the Sunny Bank climb, affording riders an early chance to familiarize themselves with the run-up to the finish.
Beyond Sunny Bank, the route descends approximately four kilometers, sending riders swiftly towards Arkholme. However, complacency is ill-advised as three significant ascents dot the circuit. Shortly following the descent, riders left-turn at Arkholme into the 600-meter Bay Horse Inn climb, presenting an average gradient of 5% – a test for fatigued legs in the latter stages.
The subsequent ascent, Docker Park, materializes six and a half kilometers into the circuit, mirroring the Bay Horse Inn climb in gradient and length.
Following a brief, swift descent, the terrain levels out for around three and a half kilometers.
Cold Dark North has a preference last year for concluding their races on an ascent—fondly dubbing them ‘stabby bastard hills’—and this course faithfully adheres to that tradition. Indeed, the circuit reserves its most challenging climb for the finale: the 1.3-kilometer Sunny Bank ascent (known on Strava as Borwick Hill). With an average gradient of 7.1%, the climb is uneven, peaking at a steep 15.4% approximately midway, then moderates before a final steep section commences about 300 meters from the finish.
The climb takes around three minutes at full effort, give or take 15-20 seconds, and the first rider up this leg-sapper on the last lap will be crowned the winner.
Timings
9.00
Open road race
13.00
Women’s road race
Weather
The weather forecast at the time of writing is for sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, ideal spring conditions for a spot of roadside spectating.
Contenders
Open race
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli were the strongest team at the Peaks 2 Day last weekend, outmanoeuvring Saint Piran, and the Elite Development Team have the squad to repeat that feat at Capernwray. Jacob Smith, winner at the Peaks 2 Day Holme Moss TT, was second here last year and has the ability and form to go one better in 2024. He is joined by Peaks 2 Day and Gifford Road Race winner Tom Martin, who is clearly on a hot streak. Joseph Smith (5th at the Peaks 2 Day) and experienced journeyman Thomas Armstrong also offer options for the team.
Tom Martin on stage 2 of the 2024 Peaks 2 Day. Image: Emma Wilcock
USKIS Saint Piran, Saint Piran’s development outfit, is also a real threat. Wally Gimber Trophy victor Dylan Westley is used to winning punchy races after his time in Spain, while Welshman Huw Buck Jones tops our 2024 national road race rankings after an impressively consistent start to the season. The pair’s UCI Continental-level counterpart Tyler Hannay is another name to watch.
On-form Damien Clayton (Le Col RT) perhaps offers the biggest threat to these two teams; he won stage 1 of the Peaks 2 Day and sits second in our national road race rankings.
Outsiders include Matt Lord (Richardsons Trek DAS) was active at the Peaks 2 Day, eventually finishing 8th overall, and 2023 Aughton Road Race winner Ed Morgan (Spectra Racing). Watch out too for a couple of big names: Matt Bostock (RIBBLE REBELLION) and Ben Wiggins (Hagens Berman Jayco) are both on the provisional startlist, and while not naturally suited to the terrain, cannot be discounted given their respective talents.
Women’s race
On paper, the women’s race looks like a battle between the three UCI Continental teams represented.
DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK fields 19-year-old Morven Yeoman, who has an excellent start to 2024, picking up a UCI road race top 20, 7th at the ANEXO CAMS CiCLE Classic and third overall at the Peaks 2 Day. Last year’s Peaks 2 Day winner Tammy Miller is also a contender if she starts; she was unable to start last weekend so we are not clear on her form or fitness.
2023 British National Road Championships. Zoe Langham of Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Pro-Noctis – 200º Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd has so far had a muted start to the season but has three riders that all perform well on punchy terrain. Lucy Ellmore won this race in 2021. Zoe Langham has yet to race this season but was 4th here last season to kick off an excellent 2023. And e-racing expert Lizi Brooke proved last season that she no slouch on the road either when she backed up 14th at the national road race with 9th at the Ryedale Grand Prix.
Alba Development Road Team is another UCI Continental outfit to watch. Amelia Tyler, fifth at the CiCLE Classic and 10th at the Peaks 2 Day, and former DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK rider Emma Matthews are probably their best bets.
Do not discount the junior riders in the race either. Cat Ferguson blew away the competition in her very first race as a junior last year at Capernwray. Her team Shibden Apex RT are back again this season, so don’t rule out cyclocross specialists Alice Colling, Ruby Oakes (8th at the Rás na mBan last year) or Isabel Mayes, who bagged several top tens in National road races last season. Liv Halo Films, Solas Cycling and Tofauti Everyone Active are other junior teams to watch.
The Proper Northern Series kicks off this weekend with the Capernwray Road Race, an event with an illustrious list of past winners organised by the brilliant Cold Dark North.
Featured image: Ellen Isherwood.
What is it?
The Capernwray Road Races, distinguished by separate competitions for women and men, are celebrated ‘National B‘ road races organized by the esteemed team at Cold Dark North. Positioned to the northeast of Lancaster, in close proximity to the Lancaster Grand Prix route, this event is notorious for its gruelling uphill finale on a segment whimsically named ‘Sunny Bank’.
The event boasts a prestigious roster of past victors, featuring renowned names such as Lizzie Deignan, Joanna Rowsell, Danni King, Sarah Storey, Lizzy Banks, Ian Bibby, Joss Lowden, Ross Lamb, Lucy Ellmore, Finn Crockett, and Mary Wilkinson, marking its significance in the domestic racing scene.
Last year’s women’s race announced the arrival of Cat Ferguson as a junior road racer par excellence, while the men’s event was won by Ollie Peckover at the start of what was a dominant few weeks for the trainSharp Elite rider.
The event forms the first round of Cold Dark North’s Proper Northern Road Race Series…
The Proper Northern Road Race Series: how it works
The Series consists of three races, all taking place on grippy roads with summit or hilltop finishes.
The Series includes both an individual competition and a team competition.
In the individual competition, the first 20 riders across the line in each race score points. From 1st place through to 20th the points scale is: 60, 52, 45, 40, 35, 31, 27, 23, 20, 17, 15, 13, 11, 9, 7, 6, 5, 3, 2, 1. The rider who accumulates the most points across the three races wins the competition.
For the team competition, each individual finisher earns points for their team based on the UCI points scale used for the Tour de France GC, which assigns points from 1st place down to 60th. The points earned by the top three finishers of each team are added up to determine the team rankings for each race. Best placed team gets 60 pts, etc. The final ranking of teams will be on the basis of the total points earned across the three rounds.
Route
A 12.7-kilometer anti-clockwise circuit concludes atop Sunny Bank, featuring 195 meters of ascent per lap. The Open race is slated for 8 laps, while the women are set for 6, subject to final confirmation by the commissaires on the day. Characterised by its undulating, technical nature and several narrow road sections, the course offers ample opportunities for breakaway aspirants to make a move and disappear from view.
The route commences southward from Borwick and Priest Hutton Memorial Hall down Borwick Lane, veering left onto Capernwray Road upon reaching Borwick. Participants enter the circuit as Capernwray Road converges with Borwick Road at the Keer Holme Lane junction, embarking on the circuit in an anti-clockwise direction.
The peloton accesses the circuit shortly before approaching the Sunny Bank climb, affording riders an early chance to familiarize themselves with the run-up to the finish.
Beyond Sunny Bank, the route descends approximately four kilometers, sending riders swiftly towards Arkholme. However, complacency is ill-advised as three significant ascents dot the circuit. Shortly following the descent, riders left-turn at Arkholme into the 600-meter Bay Horse Inn climb, presenting an average gradient of 5% – a test for fatigued legs in the latter stages.
The subsequent ascent, Docker Park, materializes six and a half kilometers into the circuit, mirroring the Bay Horse Inn climb in gradient and length.
Following a brief, swift descent, the terrain levels out for around three and a half kilometers.
Cold Dark North has a preference last year for concluding their races on an ascent—fondly dubbing them ‘stabby bastard hills’—and this course faithfully adheres to that tradition. Indeed, the circuit reserves its most challenging climb for the finale: the 1.3-kilometer Sunny Bank ascent (known on Strava as Borwick Hill). With an average gradient of 7.1%, the climb is uneven, peaking at a steep 15.4% approximately midway, then moderates before a final steep section commences about 300 meters from the finish.
The climb takes around three minutes at full effort, give or take 15-20 seconds, and the first rider up this leg-sapper on the last lap will be crowned the winner.
Timings
Weather
The weather forecast at the time of writing is for sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, ideal spring conditions for a spot of roadside spectating.
Contenders
Open race
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli were the strongest team at the Peaks 2 Day last weekend, outmanoeuvring Saint Piran, and the Elite Development Team have the squad to repeat that feat at Capernwray. Jacob Smith, winner at the Peaks 2 Day Holme Moss TT, was second here last year and has the ability and form to go one better in 2024. He is joined by Peaks 2 Day and Gifford Road Race winner Tom Martin, who is clearly on a hot streak. Joseph Smith (5th at the Peaks 2 Day) and experienced journeyman Thomas Armstrong also offer options for the team.
USKIS Saint Piran, Saint Piran’s development outfit, is also a real threat. Wally Gimber Trophy victor Dylan Westley is used to winning punchy races after his time in Spain, while Welshman Huw Buck Jones tops our 2024 national road race rankings after an impressively consistent start to the season. The pair’s UCI Continental-level counterpart Tyler Hannay is another name to watch.
On-form Damien Clayton (Le Col RT) perhaps offers the biggest threat to these two teams; he won stage 1 of the Peaks 2 Day and sits second in our national road race rankings.
Outsiders include Matt Lord (Richardsons Trek DAS) was active at the Peaks 2 Day, eventually finishing 8th overall, and 2023 Aughton Road Race winner Ed Morgan (Spectra Racing). Watch out too for a couple of big names: Matt Bostock (RIBBLE REBELLION) and Ben Wiggins (Hagens Berman Jayco) are both on the provisional startlist, and while not naturally suited to the terrain, cannot be discounted given their respective talents.
Women’s race
On paper, the women’s race looks like a battle between the three UCI Continental teams represented.
DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK fields 19-year-old Morven Yeoman, who has an excellent start to 2024, picking up a UCI road race top 20, 7th at the ANEXO CAMS CiCLE Classic and third overall at the Peaks 2 Day. Last year’s Peaks 2 Day winner Tammy Miller is also a contender if she starts; she was unable to start last weekend so we are not clear on her form or fitness.
Pro-Noctis – 200º Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd has so far had a muted start to the season but has three riders that all perform well on punchy terrain. Lucy Ellmore won this race in 2021. Zoe Langham has yet to race this season but was 4th here last season to kick off an excellent 2023. And e-racing expert Lizi Brooke proved last season that she no slouch on the road either when she backed up 14th at the national road race with 9th at the Ryedale Grand Prix.
Alba Development Road Team is another UCI Continental outfit to watch. Amelia Tyler, fifth at the CiCLE Classic and 10th at the Peaks 2 Day, and former DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK rider Emma Matthews are probably their best bets.
Do not discount the junior riders in the race either. Cat Ferguson blew away the competition in her very first race as a junior last year at Capernwray. Her team Shibden Apex RT are back again this season, so don’t rule out cyclocross specialists Alice Colling, Ruby Oakes (8th at the Rás na mBan last year) or Isabel Mayes, who bagged several top tens in National road races last season. Liv Halo Films, Solas Cycling and Tofauti Everyone Active are other junior teams to watch.
Startlists
Open race
Women’s race
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