The much-anticipated Portsdown Classic, Britain’s traditional season opener, will return for its second edition on Sunday, 9 February 2025. Following the success of its inaugural event earlier this year, the Portsdown Classic will once again provide British riders in the open category with an early-season test on the challenging terrain of Portsdown Hill near Portsmouth. The race promises an intense and scenic course, concluding with the ascent of Crooked Walk Lane, a finale that last year crowned Saint Piran’s Sam Culverwell as the victor.
The Portsdown Classic was introduced in 2024 by organiser Seb Ottley as a successor to the historic Perfs Pedal Road Race, which ran from 1964 until its retirement. Ottley’s vision was to preserve the competitive spirit of the original event while adding a new level of challenge. In its first year, the race attracted an impressive field of riders, including former professionals Alex Dowsett and Ed Clancy, as well as top domestic teams, setting a high bar for the season’s opening event.
2024 Portsdown Classic. Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
The 2025 edition is expected to follow the same 72-kilometre route, featuring five laps around the iconic Portsdown Hill, which offers both a physical test and spectacular views over the South Coast. Riders will once again face the tough climb to the finish, a route designed to showcase early-season fitness and attract top competitors eager to make a mark.
For organiser Seb Ottley, it’s more than just a race. A former competitor alongside Perfs’ stalwart Mick Waite, Ottley’s connection to the event spans nearly a quarter of a century, and his ambition is to build on the Classic’s roots while inviting a touch of new energy.
“It’s an honour to host the season opener,” Ottley shared. “I raced with Mick for 15 years, and after supporting the event for nearly 25, it’s thrilling to be on the organising side. This second edition feels like a step forward. The enthusiasm from riders has been fantastic, many already planning their winter around it. We’re aiming for a memorable day, to grow the race’s stature in British road racing.”
The race will be sponsored once again by T&M Cable Services, owned by the father of Sam Fox, a rider at Racing Club Ravenna—Seb Ottley’s own club—adding a personal touch to the event’s main partnership. Meanwhile, Harry Johnson’s Full Beans Cycling Company returns as a supporting sponsor, further bolstering community backing. This year, Ottley has also announced the addition of chip timing, responding to last year’s feedback and ensuring precise results for all competitors.
As the season edges nearer, the Portsdown Classic stands as an early proving ground. It’s a place for assessing the winter’s groundwork, for bringing fresh legs, grit, and aspiration to British racing’s opening act. When the flag drops this February, it won’t just be a race but a statement for the year ahead.
Entries for the race will go live tomorrow on the British Cycling website, offering riders their first chance to secure a place on the start line for this early-season showdown.
Stay tuned to The British Continental for updates, previews, and race coverage as we build up to the second edition of the Portsdown Classic on 9 February 2025.
Featured image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
The much-anticipated Portsdown Classic, Britain’s traditional season opener, will return for its second edition on Sunday, 9 February 2025. Following the success of its inaugural event earlier this year, the Portsdown Classic will once again provide British riders in the open category with an early-season test on the challenging terrain of Portsdown Hill near Portsmouth. The race promises an intense and scenic course, concluding with the ascent of Crooked Walk Lane, a finale that last year crowned Saint Piran’s Sam Culverwell as the victor.
The Portsdown Classic was introduced in 2024 by organiser Seb Ottley as a successor to the historic Perfs Pedal Road Race, which ran from 1964 until its retirement. Ottley’s vision was to preserve the competitive spirit of the original event while adding a new level of challenge. In its first year, the race attracted an impressive field of riders, including former professionals Alex Dowsett and Ed Clancy, as well as top domestic teams, setting a high bar for the season’s opening event.
The 2025 edition is expected to follow the same 72-kilometre route, featuring five laps around the iconic Portsdown Hill, which offers both a physical test and spectacular views over the South Coast. Riders will once again face the tough climb to the finish, a route designed to showcase early-season fitness and attract top competitors eager to make a mark.
For organiser Seb Ottley, it’s more than just a race. A former competitor alongside Perfs’ stalwart Mick Waite, Ottley’s connection to the event spans nearly a quarter of a century, and his ambition is to build on the Classic’s roots while inviting a touch of new energy.
“It’s an honour to host the season opener,” Ottley shared. “I raced with Mick for 15 years, and after supporting the event for nearly 25, it’s thrilling to be on the organising side. This second edition feels like a step forward. The enthusiasm from riders has been fantastic, many already planning their winter around it. We’re aiming for a memorable day, to grow the race’s stature in British road racing.”
The race will be sponsored once again by T&M Cable Services, owned by the father of Sam Fox, a rider at Racing Club Ravenna—Seb Ottley’s own club—adding a personal touch to the event’s main partnership. Meanwhile, Harry Johnson’s Full Beans Cycling Company returns as a supporting sponsor, further bolstering community backing. This year, Ottley has also announced the addition of chip timing, responding to last year’s feedback and ensuring precise results for all competitors.
As the season edges nearer, the Portsdown Classic stands as an early proving ground. It’s a place for assessing the winter’s groundwork, for bringing fresh legs, grit, and aspiration to British racing’s opening act. When the flag drops this February, it won’t just be a race but a statement for the year ahead.
Entries for the race will go live tomorrow on the British Cycling website, offering riders their first chance to secure a place on the start line for this early-season showdown.
Stay tuned to The British Continental for updates, previews, and race coverage as we build up to the second edition of the Portsdown Classic on 9 February 2025.
Featured image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
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