The Kennel Hill Classic, formerly the RCR FatCreations Road Race, is at risk of cancellation due to low entry numbers – despite being one of the most established early-season National B road races in the UK. Organiser Seb Ottley, who has poured years of effort into making the race a staple of the domestic calendar, has issued a plea for more riders to enter before the deadline on 19th March.
The race, which follows the course of the 1982 World Championships road race at Goodwood, has grown rapidly since its inception in 2022. It has consistently attracted strong fields and delivered thrilling racing, helping to kick off the season in style. But this year, the event is facing a perfect storm of financial strain and a scheduling clash that threatens its survival.
Due to very poor planning from British Cycling, they have decided to approve multiple events on the same day
Ottley has pointed the finger at British Cycling’s scheduling decisions, which he says have directly undermined his race. British Cycling recently introduced new arrangements designed to better coordinate the national calendar and reduce the risk of event cancellations due to low entries. However, instead of protecting key races like the Kennel Hill Classic, the changes appear to have made things worse.
British Cycling has scheduled Round 1 of the Under-23 National Road Series on the same date as the Kennel Hill Classic, drawing a significant number of top domestic riders away from the race. Given that many of the strongest National B riders are young, ambitious racers looking for opportunities at under-23 and elite levels, Ottley says that this clash has severely impacted potential entries.
2024 RCR FatCreations road race. Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
Ottley expressed his frustration on social media, laying the blame squarely with British Cycling rather than the organiser of the clashing race: “Due to very poor planning from British Cycling, they have decided to approve multiple events on the same day, despite introducing a new procedure to prevent this in the hope of fewer races being cancelled.”
“I don’t blame the organiser of the under-23 race in the slightest,” Ottley told The British Continental, “it is on British Cycling.
Beyond the calendar woes, financial realities are also making things harder. Earlier this year, Ottley detailed the true cost of running a grassroots National B road race in The British Continental, highlighting rising expenses across the board. From police cover to race accreditation and equipment hire, the costs continue to rise while race organiser support remains limited.
As it stands, the Kennel Hill Classic isn’t financially viable
This year, the Kennel Hill Classic is one of only three scheduled National B women’s races in the South East region in 2025, and is also one of just a handful of National B open road races in the South East, according to Ottley. Losing it would be another major blow to an already fragile domestic road racing scene.
“As it stands, the Kennel Hill Classic isn’t financially viable,” Ottley admitted in an Instagram post. “As an organiser, I am proud to say I have never needed to cancel an event, and I really don’t want to start now.”
With the entry deadline set for midnight on Wednesday, 19th March, time is running out to save the race. Without more entries, it simply won’t happen.
Ottley’s Portsdown Classic has been a major success, and his commitment to UK road racing is undeniable. But unless British Cycling addresses these clashes – and more riders back the events that remain – organisers like Ottley will struggle to keep delivering high-quality races.
The Kennel Hill Classic, formerly the RCR FatCreations Road Race, is at risk of cancellation due to low entry numbers – despite being one of the most established early-season National B road races in the UK. Organiser Seb Ottley, who has poured years of effort into making the race a staple of the domestic calendar, has issued a plea for more riders to enter before the deadline on 19th March.
The race, which follows the course of the 1982 World Championships road race at Goodwood, has grown rapidly since its inception in 2022. It has consistently attracted strong fields and delivered thrilling racing, helping to kick off the season in style. But this year, the event is facing a perfect storm of financial strain and a scheduling clash that threatens its survival.
Ottley has pointed the finger at British Cycling’s scheduling decisions, which he says have directly undermined his race. British Cycling recently introduced new arrangements designed to better coordinate the national calendar and reduce the risk of event cancellations due to low entries. However, instead of protecting key races like the Kennel Hill Classic, the changes appear to have made things worse.
British Cycling has scheduled Round 1 of the Under-23 National Road Series on the same date as the Kennel Hill Classic, drawing a significant number of top domestic riders away from the race. Given that many of the strongest National B riders are young, ambitious racers looking for opportunities at under-23 and elite levels, Ottley says that this clash has severely impacted potential entries.
Ottley expressed his frustration on social media, laying the blame squarely with British Cycling rather than the organiser of the clashing race: “Due to very poor planning from British Cycling, they have decided to approve multiple events on the same day, despite introducing a new procedure to prevent this in the hope of fewer races being cancelled.”
“I don’t blame the organiser of the under-23 race in the slightest,” Ottley told The British Continental, “it is on British Cycling.
Beyond the calendar woes, financial realities are also making things harder. Earlier this year, Ottley detailed the true cost of running a grassroots National B road race in The British Continental, highlighting rising expenses across the board. From police cover to race accreditation and equipment hire, the costs continue to rise while race organiser support remains limited.
This year, the Kennel Hill Classic is one of only three scheduled National B women’s races in the South East region in 2025, and is also one of just a handful of National B open road races in the South East, according to Ottley. Losing it would be another major blow to an already fragile domestic road racing scene.
“As it stands, the Kennel Hill Classic isn’t financially viable,” Ottley admitted in an Instagram post. “As an organiser, I am proud to say I have never needed to cancel an event, and I really don’t want to start now.”
With the entry deadline set for midnight on Wednesday, 19th March, time is running out to save the race. Without more entries, it simply won’t happen.
Ottley’s Portsdown Classic has been a major success, and his commitment to UK road racing is undeniable. But unless British Cycling addresses these clashes – and more riders back the events that remain – organisers like Ottley will struggle to keep delivering high-quality races.
Enter the Kennel Hill Classic here.
Featured image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
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