Headlined by the Women’s National BBritish Team Cup race, the Will Houghton circuit races are put on in tribute to the aforementioned Will Houghton who was tragically killed having been knocked off his bike by a car on a training ride in 2016. The racing, organised by the Will Houghton Racing Team, also features a Cat 2/3 Regional A race – both held at the Hillingdon cycle circuit in West London.
Caitlin Dimbleby (then of FTP-Fulfil the Potential-Racing, now racing as a private member) sprinted to victory from a select group in Round 1 at the RCR FatCreations Road Race. In Round 2, the Dave Peck Memorial was won by Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK).
Tour of Britain Women stage 1 breakaway star Lucy Harris (then at Loughborough Lightning, now at Pro-Noctis – 200 Degrees Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting) was the victor at Round 3, the Banbury Star CC Road Race. Round 4, the London Dynamo Summer Road Race, was won by Floren Scrafton (FTP-Fulfil the Potential-Racing). Junior Mari Porton (Tofauti Everyone Active) won Round 5 at the Solihull CC Summer Road Race, taking a fine sprint win against a large field.
Last time out, 17-year-old Ruby Oakes highlighted the talent in the junior ranks as she won the Duncan Murray Wines Road Race for Shibden Apex RT as she prevailed in a frenetic sprint to the line.
With the points competition focusing on the teams, the final round promises a fierce contest for points to decide the 2024 winner. FTP (Fulfil the Potential) Racing heads the standings, with a lead of 63 points over Loughborough Lightning but with 150 points available for a win, and each team’s four highest finishing riders bagging points, it’s not illogical that Brother UK – On Form could swoop in and snatch the crown away.
For the second year in succession, the race has been moved from a road course to the Hillingdon cycle circuit. Racing over 64km / 40 miles, the flat course isn’t going to be one for anyone with climbing tendencies, but the technical circuit will no doubt be a test to see who still has stamina late into the road season. At only 1.5km long, expect a chaotic race with action right from the start.
Riders to watch
The startlist might be small but with this being the final round of the British Team Cup, a number of squads have gone big in efforts to bank as many points as possible and walk away with the title.
Having won two rounds already on its way to the top of the standings, FTP brings half-a-dozen riders headlined by Katherine Sheridan. The American comes into the finale with a string of solid results under her belt with an eighth and a second at the Ronde van Wymeswold on her way to third in the GC.
Nearest competition Loughborough Lightning has a pair of riders in the purple kit as Penny Colloff – fifth at the Duncan Murray Wines Road Race – is joined by Georgina Oakley, who took second in the Yorkshire, North West & North East regional championships earlier in the year.
Picture by Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com – 12/05/2024 – Cycling – British Cycling Women’s National Road Series 2024 – Rapha Women’s Lincoln Grand Prix – Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne and Ruth Sheir of DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK, Katy Hill of London Academy climbs Michaelgate
Bringing in serious numbers is London Academy, which has split itself into Pink & Orange teams to bring eight riders to its local race and bank as many points as possible. Katy Hill in particular, will be looking to build on a string of top 10s this season, including at the Banbury Stars Cyclists’ Club Road Race. Sasha Dyke, too, will be fired up to add to her Aughton Road Race podium.
While not fighting for victory in the overall team competition, Sam Fawcett (Spectra Racing) comes in off the back of a hard-earned victory at the inaugural Cambridge Criterium and will be looking to carry on a run of form that has included numerous top 10s in the National Circuit Series.
Last year’s runner-up, Libby Smithson, will be aiming to go one better and snatch the overall win in West London.
The British Team Cup reaches its climax this weekend as the peloton tackles the Will Houghton Memorial in Hillingdon this Sunday (1 September).
Featured image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
What is it?
Headlined by the Women’s National B British Team Cup race, the Will Houghton circuit races are put on in tribute to the aforementioned Will Houghton who was tragically killed having been knocked off his bike by a car on a training ride in 2016. The racing, organised by the Will Houghton Racing Team, also features a Cat 2/3 Regional A race – both held at the Hillingdon cycle circuit in West London.
Last year’s race was won by Tiffany Keep (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK), ahead of Libby Smithson (Doltcini – O’Shea) and her 2024 teammate Isabel Darvill.
The British Team Cup so far…
Caitlin Dimbleby (then of FTP-Fulfil the Potential-Racing, now racing as a private member) sprinted to victory from a select group in Round 1 at the RCR FatCreations Road Race. In Round 2, the Dave Peck Memorial was won by Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK).
Tour of Britain Women stage 1 breakaway star Lucy Harris (then at Loughborough Lightning, now at Pro-Noctis – 200 Degrees Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting) was the victor at Round 3, the Banbury Star CC Road Race. Round 4, the London Dynamo Summer Road Race, was won by Floren Scrafton (FTP-Fulfil the Potential-Racing). Junior Mari Porton (Tofauti Everyone Active) won Round 5 at the Solihull CC Summer Road Race, taking a fine sprint win against a large field.
Last time out, 17-year-old Ruby Oakes highlighted the talent in the junior ranks as she won the Duncan Murray Wines Road Race for Shibden Apex RT as she prevailed in a frenetic sprint to the line.
With the points competition focusing on the teams, the final round promises a fierce contest for points to decide the 2024 winner. FTP (Fulfil the Potential) Racing heads the standings, with a lead of 63 points over Loughborough Lightning but with 150 points available for a win, and each team’s four highest finishing riders bagging points, it’s not illogical that Brother UK – On Form could swoop in and snatch the crown away.
The Route
For the second year in succession, the race has been moved from a road course to the Hillingdon cycle circuit. Racing over 64km / 40 miles, the flat course isn’t going to be one for anyone with climbing tendencies, but the technical circuit will no doubt be a test to see who still has stamina late into the road season. At only 1.5km long, expect a chaotic race with action right from the start.
Riders to watch
The startlist might be small but with this being the final round of the British Team Cup, a number of squads have gone big in efforts to bank as many points as possible and walk away with the title.
Having won two rounds already on its way to the top of the standings, FTP brings half-a-dozen riders headlined by Katherine Sheridan. The American comes into the finale with a string of solid results under her belt with an eighth and a second at the Ronde van Wymeswold on her way to third in the GC.
Nearest competition Loughborough Lightning has a pair of riders in the purple kit as Penny Colloff – fifth at the Duncan Murray Wines Road Race – is joined by Georgina Oakley, who took second in the Yorkshire, North West & North East regional championships earlier in the year.
Bringing in serious numbers is London Academy, which has split itself into Pink & Orange teams to bring eight riders to its local race and bank as many points as possible. Katy Hill in particular, will be looking to build on a string of top 10s this season, including at the Banbury Stars Cyclists’ Club Road Race. Sasha Dyke, too, will be fired up to add to her Aughton Road Race podium.
While not fighting for victory in the overall team competition, Sam Fawcett (Spectra Racing) comes in off the back of a hard-earned victory at the inaugural Cambridge Criterium and will be looking to carry on a run of form that has included numerous top 10s in the National Circuit Series.
Last year’s runner-up, Libby Smithson, will be aiming to go one better and snatch the overall win in West London.
Finally, Lydia Watts (The Phoenix Collective) took second at the Dave Peck Memorial British Cup Race back in April, could she nab a podium to conclude the series?
Provisional Startlist
Share this:
Discover more from The British Continental
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.