This Friday marks the finale of the 2024 National Circuit Series at the Beverley Grand Prix. With Series titles on the line, expect fast and frenetic racing.
Here is our preview.
Featured image: SWpix.com
What is it?
2024 marks the return of the Beverley Grand Prix, last run in 2017x Organised by Chris Lawrence’s Generation Pro Cycling Events company, the race is the seventh and final round of the 2024 National Circuit Series.
Previous winners of the Beverley Grand Prix include three-time Olympic gold medallist Ed Clancy OBE, who will take to the start at this year’s event too.
Set in the heart of the beautiful market town Beverley in Yorkshire, with its gothic minster and Georgian townhouses, the event promises to be a fitting finale to the seven-round Series.
The route
The circuit is based around Saturday Market, with the organisers promising “an incredible atmosphere with a variety of food stalls, music and commentary”.
The course is a wonky rectangle, a ninety-degree right-hander not long after the start/finish line quickly followed by another ninety-degree turn. A long, fast straight down Walkergate and Butcher Row leads to the third ninety-degree turn with the fourth and final not long after. From there the riders hit the winding finishing straight which takes the riders over a stretch of clinkers. Smooth and polished, Arenberg this is not, but the cobblestones could prove slippery if it turns wet.
The Series so far
The seven-round National Circuit Series began in Otley with Frankie Hall (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) and Matt Bostock (Ribble Rebellion) taking the wins.
The winners in Round 2 at Ilkley were Millie Couzens (Fenix-Deceuninck) and Rob Scott (Tekkerz CC), with Robyn Clay (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) and Scott emerging as the leaders in the individual Series standings.
Round 3 in Guildford witnessed 19-year-old Eilidh Shaw (Alba Development Road Team) outsprinting Alex Morrice (CANYON//SRAM) to take her first National Circuit Series victory, while Scott delivered a commanding solo win for his second Series victory.
The following round, in Dudley, saw Shaw take her second Series win in a row, while Ribble Rebellion made it 2-2 in their battle with Tekkerz CC after Bostock won from a group sprint. In Round 5, Shaw’s teammate Keira Bond and Toby Barnes (Spectra Racing) were the winners at a shortened Sheffield Grand Prix. And then Tuesday night saw Sophie Lewis (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) emerge victorious at the Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix, while Bostock took his third Series win.
In the women’s Series, Shaw leads in the individual standings. With 50 points available for the winner, only her teammate Bond – 38 points in arrears – can surpass her, although with Shaw’s electric form – and team unity at stake – it seems unlikely that Bond will oust Shaw.
Rank
Name
Team
Points
1
Eilidh Shaw
Alba Development Road Team
213
2
Keira Bond
Alba Development Road Team
175
3
Frankie Hall
DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK
158
4
Lucy Lee
DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK
153
5
Dannielle Watkinson
Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon
149
DAS-Hutchinson-Brother has the team competition virtually sewn up. They have a 140 point buffer Alba Road Development Road Team. Even if Alba get a 1-2-3 to the score the maximum 144 points, they would need to hope DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK only minimal points, an unlikely event.
Rank
Team Name
Points
1
DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK
642
2
Alba Development Road Team
502
3
Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon
320
Things a much closer in the open Series. Rob Scott leads the individual standings by just 18 points from Bostock. The question is whether Bostock can finish far enough ahead of Scott to usurp him. Challenging but possible.
Rank
Name
Team
Points
1
Robert Scott
TEKKERZ CC
282
2
Matthew Bostock
Ribble Rebellion
264
3
Toby Barnes
Spectra Racing
224
4
Thomas Armstrong
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
202
5
Alec Briggs
TEKKERZ CC
190
The team standings are a Ribble Rebellion versus Wheelbase CabTech Castelli match-up, but it will be hard task for Wheelbase to make up a 49 point deficit in one race. Tekkerz CC dropped out of contention in Colne after failing to field the three riders necessary to score team points.
Rank
Team
Points
1
Ribble Rebellion
583
2
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
534
3
TEKKERZ CC
485
Riders to watch
Wren Kitchens Beverley Grand Prix Women
Series leader Eilidh Shaw (Alba Development Road Team) will once again start as one of the clear favourites after her wins in Guildford and Dudley, with Sheffield GP Keira Bond a very able wing-woman.
Lloyds Bank 2024 Women’s National Circuit Series – Women’s Dudley GP – Dudley, England – Alba Development Road Team’s Eilidh Shaw wins. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK will be Alba’s strongest rivals, fielding a number of potential race winners, including Sophie Lewis, victor at Colne, Frankie Hall, the Otley GP champion this year, and Robyn Clay, who won the Newark crit last season.
Fast-finishing junior Lucy Glover (Shibden Apex RT) won the Dudley Grand Prix in 2023 but hasn’t yet reached the top step in the Series in 2024. Could that change in Beverley? She is joined by teammate Alice Colling, who finished an excellent 5th in the national circuit race championships this year.
2023 Dudley Grand Prix, Women’s National Circuit Series – Lucy Glover of Shibden Hope Tech Apex wins in Dudley. Image: SWpix.com
Others to watch? Jay Hine (Loughborough Lighting) took her best result of the season in Colne with 4th and will no doubt take confidence from that in Beverley. Emily Proud (Le Col RT) hasn’t hit the form that brought her to our attention last year but always likes to ride on the front foot. Former national circuit race champion Jo Tindley (Pro-Noctis – 200 Degrees Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting) is another that hasn’t hit her usual heights in the Series this year but should never be discounted.
Finally, Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix winner Kate Richardson (Lifeplus-Wahoo) returns to racing after being horribly injured when knocked off her bike by a motorist in June. She may not challenge, but it’s a triumph to see her returning so quickly.
Wren Kitchens Beverley Grand Prix Open
The duel between three-time round winner Matt Bostock (Ribble Rebellion) and Series leader Rob Scott (Tekkerz CC) has been the story of the National Circuit Series. With individual Series honours still hanging in the balance, there will be a fascinating race-within-a-race going on, with Bostock needing to finishing at least ten positions ahead of Scott to stand a chance of taking the Series. Whatever happens, both riders start as the pre-race favourites for the win.
Lloyds Bank 2024 National Open Circuit Series – Open Dudley GP – Dudley, England – RIbble Rebellion’s Matt Bostock with Tekkerz CC’s Rob Scott. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Both have strong back-up, with Bostock supported by Jim Brown, Tom Couzens and Max Rushby, while Scott has the wiley Alec Briggs in his camp, as well as the less experienced Alfie Amey.
Three riders in particular might break the Scott-Bostock Series stranglehold. Toby Barnes (Spectra Racing) has been the only rider to prevent either Scott or Bostock winning in the Series so far when won the Sheffield Grand Prix and his consistency has earned him third place in the Series standings. Jacob Scott (REMBE Pro Cycling Team Sauerland) won three National Circuit Series rounds back in 2022 and looked sharp in Colne with third place.
National Circuit Series: Round 5 – Sheffield Grand Prix – Sheffield, Yorkshire, England – The Bike Box Alan Open Grand Prix – Toby Barnes of Spectra Racing wins. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Meanwhile, Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) returns for his first race since Otley. The Scot is a formidable crit racer, a victor in Colne last year and finished 4th in the national circuit race championships. If he is back on form he could give Scott and Bostock a serious run for their money.
Shoreman’s teammates Callum Laborde and Thomas Armstrong have both enjoyed consistent Series, so could feature. The same goes for Will Roberts (Saint Piran). Harry Macfarlane (TAAP Kalas), Will Perrett (Spirit TBW Stuart Hall Cycling) and David Hird (Cycling Sheffield) are among the others to watch.
Timings
16.00 The Ceremonial Opening followed by the BeverleyCommunity Ride, in memory of Ian Burnett
17.00 Under 12s racing
17.25 Combined Under 14s & 16s racing
18.00 Regional / Amateurs race
19.00 Women’s Grand Prix
20.00 Open Grand Prix
How to follow
TV
You will be able to stream the race for free here.
Social media
British Cycling’s social media channels should have you covered. Also watch our Instagram stories for a Morven Yeoman takeover!
This Friday marks the finale of the 2024 National Circuit Series at the Beverley Grand Prix. With Series titles on the line, expect fast and frenetic racing.
Here is our preview.
Featured image: SWpix.com
What is it?
2024 marks the return of the Beverley Grand Prix, last run in 2017x Organised by Chris Lawrence’s Generation Pro Cycling Events company, the race is the seventh and final round of the 2024 National Circuit Series.
Previous winners of the Beverley Grand Prix include three-time Olympic gold medallist Ed Clancy OBE, who will take to the start at this year’s event too.
Set in the heart of the beautiful market town Beverley in Yorkshire, with its gothic minster and Georgian townhouses, the event promises to be a fitting finale to the seven-round Series.
The route
The circuit is based around Saturday Market, with the organisers promising “an incredible atmosphere with a variety of food stalls, music and commentary”.
The course is a wonky rectangle, a ninety-degree right-hander not long after the start/finish line quickly followed by another ninety-degree turn. A long, fast straight down Walkergate and Butcher Row leads to the third ninety-degree turn with the fourth and final not long after. From there the riders hit the winding finishing straight which takes the riders over a stretch of clinkers. Smooth and polished, Arenberg this is not, but the cobblestones could prove slippery if it turns wet.
The Series so far
The seven-round National Circuit Series began in Otley with Frankie Hall (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) and Matt Bostock (Ribble Rebellion) taking the wins.
The winners in Round 2 at Ilkley were Millie Couzens (Fenix-Deceuninck) and Rob Scott (Tekkerz CC), with Robyn Clay (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) and Scott emerging as the leaders in the individual Series standings.
Round 3 in Guildford witnessed 19-year-old Eilidh Shaw (Alba Development Road Team) outsprinting Alex Morrice (CANYON//SRAM) to take her first National Circuit Series victory, while Scott delivered a commanding solo win for his second Series victory.
The following round, in Dudley, saw Shaw take her second Series win in a row, while Ribble Rebellion made it 2-2 in their battle with Tekkerz CC after Bostock won from a group sprint. In Round 5, Shaw’s teammate Keira Bond and Toby Barnes (Spectra Racing) were the winners at a shortened Sheffield Grand Prix. And then Tuesday night saw Sophie Lewis (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) emerge victorious at the Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix, while Bostock took his third Series win.
In the women’s Series, Shaw leads in the individual standings. With 50 points available for the winner, only her teammate Bond – 38 points in arrears – can surpass her, although with Shaw’s electric form – and team unity at stake – it seems unlikely that Bond will oust Shaw.
DAS-Hutchinson-Brother has the team competition virtually sewn up. They have a 140 point buffer Alba Road Development Road Team. Even if Alba get a 1-2-3 to the score the maximum 144 points, they would need to hope DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK only minimal points, an unlikely event.
Things a much closer in the open Series. Rob Scott leads the individual standings by just 18 points from Bostock. The question is whether Bostock can finish far enough ahead of Scott to usurp him. Challenging but possible.
The team standings are a Ribble Rebellion versus Wheelbase CabTech Castelli match-up, but it will be hard task for Wheelbase to make up a 49 point deficit in one race. Tekkerz CC dropped out of contention in Colne after failing to field the three riders necessary to score team points.
Riders to watch
Wren Kitchens Beverley Grand Prix Women
Series leader Eilidh Shaw (Alba Development Road Team) will once again start as one of the clear favourites after her wins in Guildford and Dudley, with Sheffield GP Keira Bond a very able wing-woman.
DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK will be Alba’s strongest rivals, fielding a number of potential race winners, including Sophie Lewis, victor at Colne, Frankie Hall, the Otley GP champion this year, and Robyn Clay, who won the Newark crit last season.
Fast-finishing junior Lucy Glover (Shibden Apex RT) won the Dudley Grand Prix in 2023 but hasn’t yet reached the top step in the Series in 2024. Could that change in Beverley? She is joined by teammate Alice Colling, who finished an excellent 5th in the national circuit race championships this year.
Others to watch? Jay Hine (Loughborough Lighting) took her best result of the season in Colne with 4th and will no doubt take confidence from that in Beverley. Emily Proud (Le Col RT) hasn’t hit the form that brought her to our attention last year but always likes to ride on the front foot. Former national circuit race champion Jo Tindley (Pro-Noctis – 200 Degrees Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting) is another that hasn’t hit her usual heights in the Series this year but should never be discounted.
Finally, Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix winner Kate Richardson (Lifeplus-Wahoo) returns to racing after being horribly injured when knocked off her bike by a motorist in June. She may not challenge, but it’s a triumph to see her returning so quickly.
Wren Kitchens Beverley Grand Prix Open
The duel between three-time round winner Matt Bostock (Ribble Rebellion) and Series leader Rob Scott (Tekkerz CC) has been the story of the National Circuit Series. With individual Series honours still hanging in the balance, there will be a fascinating race-within-a-race going on, with Bostock needing to finishing at least ten positions ahead of Scott to stand a chance of taking the Series. Whatever happens, both riders start as the pre-race favourites for the win.
Both have strong back-up, with Bostock supported by Jim Brown, Tom Couzens and Max Rushby, while Scott has the wiley Alec Briggs in his camp, as well as the less experienced Alfie Amey.
Three riders in particular might break the Scott-Bostock Series stranglehold. Toby Barnes (Spectra Racing) has been the only rider to prevent either Scott or Bostock winning in the Series so far when won the Sheffield Grand Prix and his consistency has earned him third place in the Series standings. Jacob Scott (REMBE Pro Cycling Team Sauerland) won three National Circuit Series rounds back in 2022 and looked sharp in Colne with third place.
Meanwhile, Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) returns for his first race since Otley. The Scot is a formidable crit racer, a victor in Colne last year and finished 4th in the national circuit race championships. If he is back on form he could give Scott and Bostock a serious run for their money.
Shoreman’s teammates Callum Laborde and Thomas Armstrong have both enjoyed consistent Series, so could feature. The same goes for Will Roberts (Saint Piran). Harry Macfarlane (TAAP Kalas), Will Perrett (Spirit TBW Stuart Hall Cycling) and David Hird (Cycling Sheffield) are among the others to watch.
Timings
16.00 The Ceremonial Opening followed by the BeverleyCommunity Ride, in memory of Ian Burnett
17.00 Under 12s racing
17.25 Combined Under 14s & 16s racing
18.00 Regional / Amateurs race
19.00 Women’s Grand Prix
20.00 Open Grand Prix
How to follow
TV
You will be able to stream the race for free here.
Social media
British Cycling’s social media channels should have you covered. Also watch our Instagram stories for a Morven Yeoman takeover!
Provisional startlists
Wren Kitchens Beverley Grand Prix Women
1LuluBartlettAlba Development Road Team3ArianneHollandAlba Development Road Team7VictoriaSmithAlba Development Road Team10LottyDawsonBrother UK – On Form19SannahZamanDAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK20RebeccaHairFTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing41AmyGornallPro-Noctis – 200º Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd52CorinneSideSpectra Racing53MeganAndersonTeam Boompods62AmyMourneDoltcini – Cycle Division63IsabelDarvillDoltcini – O’Shea78MeganBarkerTEKKERZ CCWren Kitchens Beverley Grand Prix Open
10ColeDavisRibble RebellionJoshuaPriceTHRIVA-SRCTScottReddingTHRIVA-SRCT33BenEtherington360cycling34ArchieFletcher360cyclingShare this:
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