National titles are up for grabs this weekend as the town of Llandrindod Wells plays host to the Welsh Road Race Championships.
Featured image: SWpix.com
What is it?
Classed as National B races for both the open and women’s field, some of the nation’s best cyclists will battle for the coveted red, green and white jersey. The women’s race will also incorporate the South and South West regional championships.
Route
At 28km, the circuit used for the championships is lengthy by National B standards and offers every type of rider an opportunity to compete for the win. With 350m of elevation gain per lap over a series of long drags which dominate the course, it should favour aggressive racing and the strongest riders.
The defining ascent of the race could be the A4081 climb, the summit marking a 5km downhill run to the line. At 1.7km with an average gradient nearing 4% it isn’t it isn’t one for a pure climber, but a power climb where the strongest riders will be looking to make their advantage count.
The open race will cover 4 laps for a distance of 109km, a relatively short test for a National B race, while the women will race three laps for an 82km test.
Riders to watch
Women’s race
Only 19 riders have entered the women’s race, which combines both senior and junior road race championships. The standout name amongst them Awen Roberts. The 19-year-old Canyon // SRAM Generation rider arrives at the championships off the back of the Tour de l’Avenir and has had a solid season racing in Europe. On the home front, her 7th in the Lincoln GP and 16th in the National Road Race Championships puts her in pole position for the win here.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com – 23/06/2024 – British Cycling – 2024 Lloyds Bank National Road Championships – Women’s Road Race – Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, England – Awen Roberts of CANYON // SRAM Generation
Amelia Staunton (Brother UK-On Form) is a junior with a fast finish, which she used to great effect when finishing second at the Witham Hall GP back in May. The course there was not dissimilar to this one, and should it come down to a bunch gallop she should not be discounted.
Niamh Murphy (Doltcini-O’Shea) will be looking to capitalise on the experience she has gained from recently racing in Belgium, while Lowri Richards (Pro-Noctis – 200 Degrees Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting) is another rider on a UCI team who should be in the mix.
Picture Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com – 19/06/2024 – Road Cycling – British Cycling 2024 Lloyds Bank National Individual Time Trial Championships – U23 Women – Catterick, North Yorkshire – Lowri Richards, Pro-Noctis – 200º Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd
Open Race
The open race incorporates junior, senior and masters riders and looks to be a titanic battle between Will Roberts (Saint Piran) and Ed Morgan (Spectra Racing).
Roberts was recently crowned National Omnium Champion on the track, and backed up his performance on the boards with a battling performance at the Ryedale GP and an aggressive showing at the Cambridge Criterium where he sprinted to third after attacking throughout. The shorter race should play into his hands as he looks to capitalise on his track and circuit race form.
Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com – 28/06/2024 – Cycling – British Cycling 2024 Lloyds Bank National Circuit Series – Ilkley Cycle Races – Lister Horsfall Men’s Grand Prix – Ilkley, England – Welsh Champion Edward Morgan of Spectra Racing
Morgan has an enviable record in championship races already this season, having been crowned Welsh Circuit Race and BUCS Road Race Champion. This will be Morgan’s first race back since his trip to France at the start of August.
Outsiders include Ben Pierce (Bridgnorth Cycling Club), who broke through in the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race with a surprise second place, continuing to impress in the 360Cycling Tour of the Northwest. Charlie Genner (Halesowen A & CC) has been in good form of late, finishing the difficult Victor Berlemont Trophy last weekend, while James Somerfield (TRASH Mile) brings UCI experience having spent last season with the X-Speed United team.
Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com – 14/07/2023 – Cycling – British Cycling National Circuit Series, Road – The Dudley Grand Prix, Men’s National Circuit Series – Will Roberts of Saint Piran
Will Salter (HUUB BCC RT) is one of the junior riders to watch, having just returned from China, where he picked up medals in the Junior World Track Championships.
National titles are up for grabs this weekend as the town of Llandrindod Wells plays host to the Welsh Road Race Championships.
Featured image: SWpix.com
What is it?
Classed as National B races for both the open and women’s field, some of the nation’s best cyclists will battle for the coveted red, green and white jersey. The women’s race will also incorporate the South and South West regional championships.
Route
At 28km, the circuit used for the championships is lengthy by National B standards and offers every type of rider an opportunity to compete for the win. With 350m of elevation gain per lap over a series of long drags which dominate the course, it should favour aggressive racing and the strongest riders.
The defining ascent of the race could be the A4081 climb, the summit marking a 5km downhill run to the line. At 1.7km with an average gradient nearing 4% it isn’t it isn’t one for a pure climber, but a power climb where the strongest riders will be looking to make their advantage count.
The open race will cover 4 laps for a distance of 109km, a relatively short test for a National B race, while the women will race three laps for an 82km test.
Riders to watch
Women’s race
Only 19 riders have entered the women’s race, which combines both senior and junior road race championships. The standout name amongst them Awen Roberts. The 19-year-old Canyon // SRAM Generation rider arrives at the championships off the back of the Tour de l’Avenir and has had a solid season racing in Europe. On the home front, her 7th in the Lincoln GP and 16th in the National Road Race Championships puts her in pole position for the win here.
Amelia Staunton (Brother UK-On Form) is a junior with a fast finish, which she used to great effect when finishing second at the Witham Hall GP back in May. The course there was not dissimilar to this one, and should it come down to a bunch gallop she should not be discounted.
Niamh Murphy (Doltcini-O’Shea) will be looking to capitalise on the experience she has gained from recently racing in Belgium, while Lowri Richards (Pro-Noctis – 200 Degrees Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting) is another rider on a UCI team who should be in the mix.
Open Race
The open race incorporates junior, senior and masters riders and looks to be a titanic battle between Will Roberts (Saint Piran) and Ed Morgan (Spectra Racing).
Roberts was recently crowned National Omnium Champion on the track, and backed up his performance on the boards with a battling performance at the Ryedale GP and an aggressive showing at the Cambridge Criterium where he sprinted to third after attacking throughout. The shorter race should play into his hands as he looks to capitalise on his track and circuit race form.
Morgan has an enviable record in championship races already this season, having been crowned Welsh Circuit Race and BUCS Road Race Champion. This will be Morgan’s first race back since his trip to France at the start of August.
Outsiders include Ben Pierce (Bridgnorth Cycling Club), who broke through in the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race with a surprise second place, continuing to impress in the 360Cycling Tour of the Northwest. Charlie Genner (Halesowen A & CC) has been in good form of late, finishing the difficult Victor Berlemont Trophy last weekend, while James Somerfield (TRASH Mile) brings UCI experience having spent last season with the X-Speed United team.
Will Salter (HUUB BCC RT) is one of the junior riders to watch, having just returned from China, where he picked up medals in the Junior World Track Championships.
Provisional startlists
Women’s race
Open race
*Senior and junior riders only
Share this:
Discover more from The British Continental
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.