The Lincoln Grand Prix might be stealing most of the domestic limelight this weekend but down in the south of England, the longstanding Bec CC road race takes place, an important battleground for riders not facing the cobbles of Michaelgate.
Set on the edge of the Ashdown Forest, this National B road race is organised by Bec Cycling Club, which this year celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Established in 1983, the race has an illustrious list of past winners. Tony Gibb, Rory Townsend and Sam Culverwell are all past winners. Last year’s edition was one in typical solo fashion by Saint Piran’s Alex Richardson.
Richardson on his way to 2023 Bec CC road race victory. Image: Dave Hayward
Route
125km in length, the race route involves two circuits—the Ladies Mile Circuit and the Crowborough Circuit—both located on the edge of Ashdown Forest in East Sussex.
The race begins with a neutralised section out of the town of Groombridge, progressing to 10 laps around the Ladies Mile (the circuit at the top of the diagram below), followed by 5 laps on the Crowborough Circuit (the circuit at the bottom which runs through Crowborough itself) .
The entire route is characterised by sharp turns and short sharp climbs, adding to the race’s intensity.
This circuit includes the challenging Marden’s Hill climb, a one kilometre ascent that includes double digit gradients for the first 500 metres, and ends with an uphill finish on the B2188 leading into Ashdown Forest.
Timings
11.00
Race start
Riders to watch
With most top domestic riders heading to Lincolnshire this weekend for the Lincoln Grand Prix, the Bec CC road race offers an opportunity for one of the domestic peloton’s lesser names to grab a prestigious National B road race win.
Joe Brookes is perhaps the standout rider on the provisional startlist. The 2023 Andrews Trophy victor had a breakthrough season last year, winning an Elite Nationale race in France, earning him a move to the AVC Aix en Provence team, where he has made a solid start, as he explain in his recent journal post. Back in the UK for a short spell, he will be a major contender if a bout of recent illness doesn’t hold him back.
Under-23 rider Elliot Colyer (University of Exeter Cycling Club) caught the eye with his fifth place at the PNE National B road race recently, other riders remarking on his strength.
Guerrini at the Portsdown Classic, 11 Feb 2024. Credit: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
Le Col RT pairing Monte Guerrini and Oliver Richardson have been consistent in road races this year. Guerrini’s best result was at the Royal Navy Cup, where he finished third, and he was just outside the top ten at Portsdown and the Andrews Trophy. Richardson went one better at the Royal Navy Cup with second place.
Thomas Heal (StolenGoat RT) has had a quiet season so far but he was a regular in the top tens in National B road races last season and is a former Jock Wadley race winner, so not to be underestimated.
The Lincoln Grand Prix might be stealing most of the domestic limelight this weekend but down in the south of England, the longstanding Bec CC road race takes place, an important battleground for riders not facing the cobbles of Michaelgate.
Here is our preview.
Featured image: Dave Hayward
What is it?
Set on the edge of the Ashdown Forest, this National B road race is organised by Bec Cycling Club, which this year celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Established in 1983, the race has an illustrious list of past winners. Tony Gibb, Rory Townsend and Sam Culverwell are all past winners. Last year’s edition was one in typical solo fashion by Saint Piran’s Alex Richardson.
Route
125km in length, the race route involves two circuits—the Ladies Mile Circuit and the Crowborough Circuit—both located on the edge of Ashdown Forest in East Sussex.
The race begins with a neutralised section out of the town of Groombridge, progressing to 10 laps around the Ladies Mile (the circuit at the top of the diagram below), followed by 5 laps on the Crowborough Circuit (the circuit at the bottom which runs through Crowborough itself) .
The entire route is characterised by sharp turns and short sharp climbs, adding to the race’s intensity.
This circuit includes the challenging Marden’s Hill climb, a one kilometre ascent that includes double digit gradients for the first 500 metres, and ends with an uphill finish on the B2188 leading into Ashdown Forest.
Timings
Riders to watch
With most top domestic riders heading to Lincolnshire this weekend for the Lincoln Grand Prix, the Bec CC road race offers an opportunity for one of the domestic peloton’s lesser names to grab a prestigious National B road race win.
Joe Brookes is perhaps the standout rider on the provisional startlist. The 2023 Andrews Trophy victor had a breakthrough season last year, winning an Elite Nationale race in France, earning him a move to the AVC Aix en Provence team, where he has made a solid start, as he explain in his recent journal post. Back in the UK for a short spell, he will be a major contender if a bout of recent illness doesn’t hold him back.
Under-23 rider Elliot Colyer (University of Exeter Cycling Club) caught the eye with his fifth place at the PNE National B road race recently, other riders remarking on his strength.
Le Col RT pairing Monte Guerrini and Oliver Richardson have been consistent in road races this year. Guerrini’s best result was at the Royal Navy Cup, where he finished third, and he was just outside the top ten at Portsdown and the Andrews Trophy. Richardson went one better at the Royal Navy Cup with second place.
Junior rider Charlie Abraham (Lee Valley Youth CC) finished seventh at rain-soaked Jock Wadley Memorial, a result which suggests he could mount a podium challenge.
Thomas Heal (StolenGoat RT) has had a quiet season so far but he was a regular in the top tens in National B road races last season and is a former Jock Wadley race winner, so not to be underestimated.
Provisional startlist
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