Reviving domestic road racing: linking the National Road Series to the Tour of Britain

The competition for British riders outside the professional ranks to race their home tour is fierce. For many, the Tour of Britain offers a rare and critical chance to impress in a UCI event. A week in the shop window, a chance to race against world-class opposition.

Louis Sutton, who caught the eye at this year’s Tour of Britain as part of the national Great Britain team captured this sentiment when he said that he’d “not had opportunities like it before.” Based in France and racing for AVC Aix-en-Provence, Sutton is emblematic of young, talented riders who use this platform to shine. However, the team selection process for the Tour of Britain has recently come under scrutiny.

The issue with British Cycling’s GB team selection policy

This year’s Great Britain squad was a mixed bag, with selections lacking a clear strategy. There were some left field choices, a last minute feel lingering over some of British Cycling’s picks.

That is not to say the riders selected weren’t deserving or capable. But more that the impression – from the outside at least – was that selection policy was not clear or coherent, perhaps not aided by the disbanding of the U23 Academy; the most direct source of young talent not now instantly available on demand.

Given the fierce competition from Elite Development and club team riders with limited UCI race days, British Cycling must ensure that these slots are earned and utilised by riders ready to maximise the opportunity

Riders who have represented the nation in other disciplines were brought in on limited road form, including leader Matt Holmes, who revealed to The British Continental the opportunity to ride his home tour was there before he had made his (winning, and excellent) return to road racing at the Lincoln Grand Prix.

Given the fierce competition from Elite Development and club team riders with limited UCI race days, British Cycling must ensure that these slots are earned and utilised by riders ready to maximise the opportunity.

The decline of domestic racing opportunities

Race days at UCI level for the majority of riders based in Britain are becoming increasingly rare, a symptom of the sport’s struggles since the Covid-19 pandemic. The loss of races like the Tour de Yorkshire and the short-lived Velothon Wales combined with the decimation of Britain’s UCI Continental teams has left the domestic scene in a challenging place, the undervalued National Road Series noticed by very few who are not directly invested in it. Furthermore, the National Road Series itself is struggling, race entries appear down, races have fallen by the way side, the Ryedale Grand Prix the latest victim.

A system where the top ranked British riders in the National Road Series who are not on a UCI team qualify to ride the race would incentivise participation, ensure deserving riders are chosen, and raise the profile of the domestic circuit

A solution: linking the National Road Series to Tour of Britain

One way to rejuvenate the scene is to tie Tour of Britain slots to the National Road Series. A system where the top ranked British riders in the National Road Series who are not on a UCI team qualify to ride the race would incentivise participation, ensure deserving riders are chosen, and raise the profile of the domestic circuit, something British Cycling’s Elite Road Racing Task Force set out to do. It would also strengthen the national team, and therefore the race itself, which is now organised by British Cycling themselves.

The standard of racing in the UK remains high. 2023 National Road Series winner Zeb Kyffin went on to gain a professional contract, while 2024 Lancaster Grand Prix victor Ben Granger, plying his trade at Continental level in Italy, told The British Continental that a number of riders in the Italian scene would “get their head kicked in” if they rode a race like Lancaster.

There is no absence of quality, just of the opportunity to display it, with the open National Road Series down to just five rounds. The whole scene is in desperate need of support, putting a Tour of Britain ride on the line would provide some tonic. Every rider would enter the season knowing what they could earn, every team benefiting from the increased exposure and extra interest the link would bring.

Protecting elite teams and talent

There would also be less chance of Elite Development Teams losing their best riders to the Continental ranks after a strong performance, such as Josh Whitehead’s move from PB Performance following his Lancaster GP triumph, and more recently Tom Williams’ move to Saint Piran after conquering the Ryedale GP. It was one of the reasons behind Matt Hallam’s decision to close his successful Crimson Performance team.

With the carrot of a spot at the Tour of Britain, riders would be less incentivised to make such moves mid-season, helping to protect Elite Development Teams and secure their sponsorship.

This year would have seen George Kimber, an engineer by day, earn a spot on the Great Britain team courtesy of his consistent performances landing him atop the National Road Series rankings. Kimber has ridden just two UCI race days this season with his Spirit TBW Stuart Hall Cycling Team, and in many ways is the model candidate to benefit from this system. Only just reaching his potential, at 24 he is too old for a spot on a development team, and admitted he has ambitions to ride the Tour of Britain, but that the scene would need to change to facilitate that due to the lack of UCI registered teams in the UK.

The qualification system could be mirrored on the women’s side of the sport too, the strength in depth of the women’s National Road Series is continually improving; a number of riders impressing away from the confines of the Continental teams, such as Corinne Side, Lizzie Hermolle and, until recently, Lauren Dickson, all of whom would not be out of place in the Women’s WorldTour race.

A balanced approach

There is of course still a strong case for allowing riders like Louis Sutton to ride for the Great Britain team – it is the only chance riders in his position, just like those on Elite Development, or UK Club teams have to ride a UCI .Pro race. Perhaps two spaces for riders from the National Road Series would suffice, leaving space for three riders from other UCI or foreign based teams, along with an experienced road captain.

Conclusion: rebuilding a pathway to success

Before the pandemic, Britain’s domestic racing scene had garnered international respect, with riders like Matt Holmes and Ian Bibby being prime targets for pro teams. While Saint Piran has helped two riders progress, more opportunities are needed.

Creating the link between the Great Britain team at the Tours of Britain to the National Road Series would complete a pathway from the grassroots to the top

Tying National Road Series performance to Tour of Britain selection would help rebuild this pathway, create clear goals for riders, boost the domestic scene, and showcase the strength of British cycling.

British Cycling set up the Elite Road Racing Task Force with a view to helping the domestic scene out its troubles. Creating the link between the Great Britain team at the Tours of Britain to the National Road Series would complete a pathway from the grassroots to the top, a way for riders to use the National Road Series to gain the opportunities they deserve, and showcase just how high the level remains in the UK.

It would also elevate the status of the National Road Series itself; the stakes would be higher for rider and teams alike. And fans would see a direct link between elite racing in the UK and our cherished national tours. In short, it would be a win-win for our ailing scene.

Featured image: SWpix.com