Detailed preview of the East Cleveland Classic, round 2 of the women’s National Road Series and round 1 of the open National Road Series, 10 April 2024
This Sunday marks an exciting chapter in the National Road Series as the inaugural East Cleveland Classic takes centre stage. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Saltburn by the Sea, this eagerly awaited event promises to offer two thrilling elite road races.
Here is our preview.
Featured photo: Zac Williams/SWPix
What is it?
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council hosts the inaugural East Cleveland Classic, linked to the partnership with British Cycling that brought the National Road Championships to the area in 2023 and will see them return later again this year. The race’s challenging route builds upon the circuit used for the 2023 Nationals and has been modified and extended to pass through Guisborough.
The race forms round 2 of the women’s National Road Series following a thrilling first round at the ANEXO/CAMS CiCLE Classic last month. For the open category, it serves as the curtain-raiser to the Series, the first opportunity for 2024 to see Britain’s top open elite teams go head-to-head.
Click here for an explainer about how the National Road Series works.
2023 British National Road Championships – Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, England – Men’s Road Race – The Breakaway passing Saltburn seafront. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
The route
Those who tuned in to the previous season’s National Road Championships, or were familiar with the East Cleveland Klondike Grand Prix—a former National Road Series event last held in 2019 – will recognise the terrain of the East Cleveland Classic.
As with the 2023 Nationals, this race commences and concludes in Saltburn by the Sea, an idyllic Victorian coastal town nestled in Redcar and Cleveland, North Yorkshire.
The circuit spans a challenging 28 kilometres, beginning with an inland stretch to Guisborough via Skelton before winding back towards the coast through Boosbeck and Brotton. After passing through Brotton, the riders return to Saltburn, where they encounter the notorious Saltburn Bank—a punishing 300-metre ascent boasting two tight hairpin turns and an average incline of 14.7%. This stretch was packed with spectators during last summer’s nationals.
The finish line, located near the bandstand on Glenside, lies a mere 200 metres from the summit of the Bank, promising an intense finale on the last climb.
While the course may not be as brutal as last year’s Nationals, with a sawtooth profile and 455 metres of elevation gain per lap it will still demand formidable climbing prowess.
The women’s race consists of four laps, covering a total distance of 110.8 kilometres, as well as two intermediate sprints.
The open race entails six laps, spanning 167 kilometres in total and four intermediate sprints.
Listen to the latest episode of our podcast for more course insight from Jo Tindley ( Pro-Noctis – 200o Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd) and James McKay (Saint Piran).
The women’s race appears evenly balanced with no clear favourites emerging.
Each of the UCI Continental teams present potential contenders. For instance, the Alba Road Development Team includes 19-year-old Scot Eilidh Shaw, who secured an impressive second place at the CiCLE Classic. DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK’s line-up features another 19-year-old, Morven Yeoman, consistently placing in the top ten in national road races this year, along with Robyn Clay, the 2023 Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix winner. Pro-Noctis – 200o Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd include Lizi Brooke, who rode to an impressive 14th in last year’s National Road Championships, alongside new recruit Lucy Gadd, who has been one of the standout peformers of the domestic season so far.
Lucy Gadd ahead of the 2024 RCR FatCreations road race. Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
Junior team Shibden Apex RT poses a significant challenge to the UCI teams, particularly with talents like super-talent Cat Ferguson, soon to join Movistar, and Imogen Wolff, victor of the recent Trofeo Binda Juniors Nations Cup.
Alex Morrice (CANYON//SRAM), a WorldTour rider who crushed the opposition on her way to victory in Guildford last year, is also a contender, as well as Alice McWilliam from HESS Cycling Team, who claimed third place at the CiCLE Classic and was second overall in the National Road Series back in 2022.
Alex Morrice wins at the 2023 Guildford Town Centre Races. Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
Keep an eye too on climbers Connie Hayes (Doltcini-O’Shea) and Mary Wilkinson (Loughborough Lightning), as well as the in-form Lucy Harris (Loughborough Lightning) – who was in the top ten at the CiCLE Classic – and Caitlin Dimbleby (FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing), the recent victor of the RCR FatCreations road race.
Saint Piran is the team to watch in the open race, having been the dominant force in the National Road Series last season. With four of their riders already securing victories this year at National B level – Rowan Baker, Dylan Hicks, Dylan Westley, and Alex Richardson – as well as options like 2023 breakout star James McKay, they have a strong advantage in terms of numbers. Their strength might be diluted slightly by the fact that six of the squad are racing over in France, but nonetheless, anything other than a Saint Piran win would be a major upset.
Rowan Baker wins the 2024 RCR FatCreations Road Race. Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
Potential challengers to Saint Piran include Wheelbase CabTech Castelli, especially with Peaks 2 Day winner Tom Martin and Peaks 2 Day stage victor Jacob Smith leading their charge. Richardsons Trek DAS, with former Rás stage winner Conor McGoldrick and Royal Navy Cup winner Jordan Giles as their standout rider, have also shown promise early in the season.
Damien Clayton of Le Col, who has already clinched two National B road race wins this year, and former TRINITY Racing rider Ollie Rees of Sabgal-Anicolor, returning to the UK after a successful racing stint in Europe, are also contenders.
Damien Clayton wins the 2024 Danny Trophy. Image: Joe Hudson
Among the outsiders are Dom Jackson of Foran CT, who secured second place on GC at the Rás Mumhan recently, new PROJECT1 Cycling Team recruit and cyclocross specialist Thomas Mein, and young independent rider Jamie Whitcher of BmthCycleworks VitecFire Ford CE.
Additionally, the Chinese UCI Continental team Bodywrap Men’s Cycling Team, featuring former Tour of Qinghai Lake stage winner Li Boan, adds an element of unpredictability to the race.
Timings
Time
Description
9.00
Women’s race start
11.56
Women’s race finish (estimated)
13.15
Open race start
17.38
Open race finish (estimated)
Listen
Listen to the latest episode of our podcast for course insights and race predictions from Jo Tindley ( Pro-Noctis – 200o Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd) and James McKay (Saint Piran).
Weather
The forecast is for sunny intervals and a moderate breeze.
How to follow
British Cycling will have live updates on its social media channels.
We will also be bringing you updates and interviews via Instagram stories.
This Sunday marks an exciting chapter in the National Road Series as the inaugural East Cleveland Classic takes centre stage. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Saltburn by the Sea, this eagerly awaited event promises to offer two thrilling elite road races.
Here is our preview.
Featured photo: Zac Williams/SWPix
What is it?
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council hosts the inaugural East Cleveland Classic, linked to the partnership with British Cycling that brought the National Road Championships to the area in 2023 and will see them return later again this year. The race’s challenging route builds upon the circuit used for the 2023 Nationals and has been modified and extended to pass through Guisborough.
The race forms round 2 of the women’s National Road Series following a thrilling first round at the ANEXO/CAMS CiCLE Classic last month. For the open category, it serves as the curtain-raiser to the Series, the first opportunity for 2024 to see Britain’s top open elite teams go head-to-head.
Click here for an explainer about how the National Road Series works.
The route
Those who tuned in to the previous season’s National Road Championships, or were familiar with the East Cleveland Klondike Grand Prix—a former National Road Series event last held in 2019 – will recognise the terrain of the East Cleveland Classic.
As with the 2023 Nationals, this race commences and concludes in Saltburn by the Sea, an idyllic Victorian coastal town nestled in Redcar and Cleveland, North Yorkshire.
The circuit spans a challenging 28 kilometres, beginning with an inland stretch to Guisborough via Skelton before winding back towards the coast through Boosbeck and Brotton. After passing through Brotton, the riders return to Saltburn, where they encounter the notorious Saltburn Bank—a punishing 300-metre ascent boasting two tight hairpin turns and an average incline of 14.7%. This stretch was packed with spectators during last summer’s nationals.
The finish line, located near the bandstand on Glenside, lies a mere 200 metres from the summit of the Bank, promising an intense finale on the last climb.
While the course may not be as brutal as last year’s Nationals, with a sawtooth profile and 455 metres of elevation gain per lap it will still demand formidable climbing prowess.
The women’s race consists of four laps, covering a total distance of 110.8 kilometres, as well as two intermediate sprints.
The open race entails six laps, spanning 167 kilometres in total and four intermediate sprints.
Listen to the latest episode of our podcast for more course insight from Jo Tindley ( Pro-Noctis – 200o Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd) and James McKay (Saint Piran).
Riders to watch
Women’s race
View the provisional startlist here.
The women’s race appears evenly balanced with no clear favourites emerging.
Each of the UCI Continental teams present potential contenders. For instance, the Alba Road Development Team includes 19-year-old Scot Eilidh Shaw, who secured an impressive second place at the CiCLE Classic. DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK’s line-up features another 19-year-old, Morven Yeoman, consistently placing in the top ten in national road races this year, along with Robyn Clay, the 2023 Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix winner. Pro-Noctis – 200o Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd include Lizi Brooke, who rode to an impressive 14th in last year’s National Road Championships, alongside new recruit Lucy Gadd, who has been one of the standout peformers of the domestic season so far.
Junior team Shibden Apex RT poses a significant challenge to the UCI teams, particularly with talents like super-talent Cat Ferguson, soon to join Movistar, and Imogen Wolff, victor of the recent Trofeo Binda Juniors Nations Cup.
Alex Morrice (CANYON//SRAM), a WorldTour rider who crushed the opposition on her way to victory in Guildford last year, is also a contender, as well as Alice McWilliam from HESS Cycling Team, who claimed third place at the CiCLE Classic and was second overall in the National Road Series back in 2022.
Keep an eye too on climbers Connie Hayes (Doltcini-O’Shea) and Mary Wilkinson (Loughborough Lightning), as well as the in-form Lucy Harris (Loughborough Lightning) – who was in the top ten at the CiCLE Classic – and Caitlin Dimbleby (FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing), the recent victor of the RCR FatCreations road race.
Open race
View the provisional startlist here.
Saint Piran is the team to watch in the open race, having been the dominant force in the National Road Series last season. With four of their riders already securing victories this year at National B level – Rowan Baker, Dylan Hicks, Dylan Westley, and Alex Richardson – as well as options like 2023 breakout star James McKay, they have a strong advantage in terms of numbers. Their strength might be diluted slightly by the fact that six of the squad are racing over in France, but nonetheless, anything other than a Saint Piran win would be a major upset.
Potential challengers to Saint Piran include Wheelbase CabTech Castelli, especially with Peaks 2 Day winner Tom Martin and Peaks 2 Day stage victor Jacob Smith leading their charge. Richardsons Trek DAS, with former Rás stage winner Conor McGoldrick and Royal Navy Cup winner Jordan Giles as their standout rider, have also shown promise early in the season.
Damien Clayton of Le Col, who has already clinched two National B road race wins this year, and former TRINITY Racing rider Ollie Rees of Sabgal-Anicolor, returning to the UK after a successful racing stint in Europe, are also contenders.
Among the outsiders are Dom Jackson of Foran CT, who secured second place on GC at the Rás Mumhan recently, new PROJECT1 Cycling Team recruit and cyclocross specialist Thomas Mein, and young independent rider Jamie Whitcher of BmthCycleworks VitecFire Ford CE.
Additionally, the Chinese UCI Continental team Bodywrap Men’s Cycling Team, featuring former Tour of Qinghai Lake stage winner Li Boan, adds an element of unpredictability to the race.
Timings
Listen
Listen to the latest episode of our podcast for course insights and race predictions from Jo Tindley ( Pro-Noctis – 200o Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd) and James McKay (Saint Piran).
Weather
The forecast is for sunny intervals and a moderate breeze.
How to follow
British Cycling will have live updates on its social media channels.
We will also be bringing you updates and interviews via Instagram stories.
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