Held on the Sunday between the CiCLE Classic and the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix, the Witham Hall and Timmy James Memorial Grand Prixs are hidden gems of the domestic calendar, the second installment of an East Midlands triple crown displaying the best of the sport in the region across three weeks in Spring.
Both races are again designated National B status, the rolling nature of the Witham on the Hill circuit providing ideal preparation for the Lincoln GP in seven days’ time, the stellar list of winners testament to the race’s competitiveness and prestige.
Featured image: Emma Wilcock
What is it?
Organised by local club, Bourne Wheelers CC, the Witham Hall Grand Prix was first run in 2016 as a junior event, continuing in the same format until the Covid-19 pandemic forced its cancellation in 2020. Coming back in 2022, the race expanded with the establishment of the U23 National Road Series to allow riders from that category, before 2024 saw its debut as a National B due to a clash with a Junior Nations Cup race, a change which stands again this year.
The race has a notable list of past winners, three of whom have gone on to ride in the Women’s WorldTour in Jess Roberts, national road race champion Pfeiffer Georgi and Anna Shackley; while three are current UCI Continental team riders, including last year’s winner Lucy Glover, who plies her trade as a first year U23 with the Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team.
The Timmy James Memorial was established to commemorate Tim James, who passed away from a rare cancer on May 14, 2021. A member of Bourne Wheelers CC, Tim inspired his club to organise this race in his memory. The first Memorial race was staged by the SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling team in 2021, James having joined them ahead of the 2020 season. In addition to celebrating Tim’s life, the event aims to raise significant funds for Young Lives Vs Cancer, a charity that provided invaluable support to Tim and his family during his final months.
The race’s first winner was Sam Watson, the Ineos Grenadier a recent winner of the prologue in the Tour de Romandie. Alex Richardson took the spoils twelve months ago, avenging his 2023 defeat at the hands of James McKay, sprinting to the line from a small group after a chaotic last lap on the narrow Lincolnshire lanes.
Route
Surprisingly hilly for Lincolnshire, the 18.6km course straddles the Rutland border and offers a testing 185m of elevation per lap. Devoid of any major hills, the circuit is best described as rolling, offering both sprinters and puncheurs a chance of glory.
Riders enter the circuit at Witham on the Hill after a short neutral section, with the finish line placed on Barber’s Hill on the other side of the course.
From the finish line, the circuit continues on the B1176, dropping down to Ryhall village. At the village, the course turns left onto the A6121, where it runs through Essendine village and Carlby village before another to turn left at the Witham crossroads towards Witham on the Hill. The road through Witham is narrow, with the potential obstacle of parked vehicles. The circuit then heads to Little Bytham, taking in an unclassified road. At Little Bytham, the circuit takes a final left back onto the B1176.
After passing through Careby, there is a short 0.5 km climb to the Barber’s Hill finish line. It’s not steep, averaging 4.2%, but should be enough to help separate the leading riders as they dash for the line.
The Witham Hall GP takes in 5.5 laps (96 km) in total, while the Timmy James Memorial GP involves 8.5 laps (150 km).
Weather
After the warmest start to May on record and a dry April leading to dusty conditions at the nearby CiCLE Classic a week ago, temperatures are set to drop to a maximum of just 12 degrees on Sunday. Punctuated with a strong breeze from the North East, arm warmers and gilets could be the must have accessories for the riders, the unusual wind direction also having the potential to impact the race, with the run in to the line set to be raced with a tailwind.
How to follow
Keep an eye on our Instagram stories. Our live ticker should also be running for the Witham Hall Grand Prix here, and for the Timmy James Memorial here.
Riders to watch
Witham Hall Grand Prix
70 riders are set to start the Witham Hall Grand Prix in a field which pits UCI experience against the youthful exuberance of some of the UK’s fastest sprinters.
The race has a rich history of junior riders impressing, and Abigail Miller (Tofauti Everyone Active Majaco) is another who could add her name to an illustrious list of winners. 9th in the East Cleveland Classic caught the eye in what is becoming a standout season for the second-year junior, having won all three stages and the overall in the Witham Hall 2 Day Junior stage race a month ago on these roads. Her results, which also include 5th in the Dudley GP last year, suggest there is little she cannot do, and as such the 17-year-old will be tough to beat. She’ll also be backed by a strong team including Ella Tandy, who sprinted to the East Midlands regional title last year, as well as finishing 7th in the Witham Hall 2 Day last month.
Abigail Miller (Tofauti Everyone Active Majaco). Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Leading the charge for organiser Mark Botteley’s Brother UK-OnForm team is Amelia Staunton, who sprinted to second here last year behind Lucy Glover. She may be able to rely on full team support again this year after Botteley’s young charges kept the race together for the now second year junior to demonstrate her fast finish twelve months ago.
Mari Porton is another young rider in possession of a turn of speed at the end of a race, the first year U23 now riding at UCI Continental level with the Handsling Alba Development Road Team. With recent experience in Belgium building on a solid start to the season, the 18-year-old is one of the favourites to open her 2025 account on Barber’s Hill, having finished third twelve months ago.
Mari Porton (Handsling Alba Development Road Team). Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
The young sprinters keep coming, with Erin Avill (Simpson Nouvelles) another rider hoping for a bunch gallop having finished fourth a year ago, while first year U23 Rebecca Woodvine (Team Boompods) was only a place behind her and impressed over the winter in cyclocross, the Welsh rider producing consistent results at the start of the road season.
Corinne Side (Spectra Racing) needs little introduction as a former winner of the National Circuit Series, able to mix it in sprint finishes and take the race by the scruff of the neck. With her 2024 derailed by injury at the Dudley GP, the 24-year-old will be a rider to watch out for here, however the race plays out.
Jayati Hine (Loughborough Lightning) is another rider with a good track record in criterium racing, and will have teammate Georgia Lancaster alongside her, a rising star of the sport. Lightly raced in 2025 so far, Lancaster impressed in the season opening North Lincolnshire Classic with 3rd.
Hannah Clough (University of Nottingham CC). Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Smurfit Westrock CT currently top The British Continental team standings and also bring a dynamic duo to the race in the shape of Grace Reynolds and Sian Botteley, who will be looking to disrupt the race for the sprinters as much as possible. Botteley is very much on home roads and that local knowledge could give her the upper hand. The same can be said of the University of Nottingham CC’s Tilly Gurney, a grass track national champion and fellow South Lincolnshire native. Her teammate Hannah Clough is also one to watch after catching the eye with some impressive results in her first road races last year, results that suggest she is in contention for the biggest win of her short career if she continues that trajectory this weekend.
Timmy James Memorial
A full quota of 80 riders will start the Timmy James Memorial Grand Prix in the afternoon, some of Britain’s finest domestic riders opting to flex their muscles a week ahead of the Lincoln GP and its showdown on Michaelgate.
With last year’s winner Alex Richardson retired, James McKay is the only former winner in the field, taking a breakthrough win two years ago. That victory propelled McKay to a level he hasn’t yet shown in a slow start to 2025, the Wheelbase CabTech Castelli rider hoping to kick-start his campaign sooner rather than later. A late puncture knocked him out of contention last year, although with a strong sprint and big engine, the former Saint Piran rider has all the ingredients to open his 2025 account on Sunday.
Clay Davies (Ride Revolution). Image: Mark James
Clay Davies (Ride Revolution Coaching) was the best of the rest behind McKay and Richardson two years ago, also finishing 4th last year. With a win in Spain to add to his Andrews Trophy victory already this year, this could be the year the British Cycling number one ranked rider etches his name onto the trophy for the first time, the experienced 32-year-old capable in a sprint as well as possessing excellent tactical nous.
Matt King is a rider building a reputation for the big occasion, riding a strong race at the CiCLE Classic last weekend where he battled away to stay with the leading group, backing up the form that saw him podium in the Lincoln GP last year. A fast finisher, the course suits the former East Midlands champion, who now plies his trade with the Australian Atom 6 Bikes-Decca Continental Team.
Another rider on a UCI team is Adam Lewis (Team Skyline), the West Midlander claiming National B victory at the East Midlands Road Race Championship last year, one of the highlights from an outstanding season both at home and abroad. Lewis will be no stranger to the Lincolnshire roads and with extensive experience in Belgium the style of racing, which may not suit a rider of his physique on paper, will pose no problem. The question hanging over him is if the final climb is hard enough should he not arrive at the finish alone.
PB Performance bring two riders with the potential for victory in the shape of Welsh Champion Sam Llewelyn and all-rounder George Peden, the latter in excellent form this season both on and off the time trial bike. Peden dug in hard for little reward after spending the day in the break at the Capernwray Road Race, finishing in 6th place and building on a solid performance at the Peaks 2-Day.
Ben Marsh (Apogé Charente-Maritime). Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Callum Laborde (Private Member) impressed last season during the National Circuit Series, and the former Wheelbase CabTech Castelli rider has hit the ground running on his own terms this season, with 3rd in the Kennel Hill Classic and 5th on the Andrews Trophy. The rolling course and style of racing is likely to play into Laborde’s hands, as it is for Ben Marsh (Team Apogé Charente-Maritime). Another rider without a teammate, the former CiCLE Classic winner finished 2024 well with Project1 in both Belgium and the UK. The rouleur makes the trip from France for the first time since the National Track Championships in February.
Will Tidball (Chorlton Velo) is another track rider of considerable pedigree, the former Scratch Race World Champion one of the significant minority to finish the CiCLE Classic last weekend. A powerful rider, the rolling course should suit Tidball more than his previous National B outing at Capernwray, his sprint lethal should he arrive at the line with a chance of victory.
Tidball’s Great Britain teammate Will Perrett heads the DAS-Richardsons delegation, with time trialists Michael Gill and Ràs Tailteann stage winner Alex Pritchard among those joining him in a strong six-man team. Also alongside them is Alex Peters, the former WorldTour rider and Ryedale GP winner showing glimpses of being back to his brilliant best last season with an impressive performance at the Ryedale GP.
William Perrett (DAS Richardsons). Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Ben Pease (Moonglu Spatzwear) took victory in the inaugural Ronde van Wymeswold almost a year ago, the time trialist clinching the win with a strong tactical performance on a course not dissimilar to this one. Lightly raced in 2025 and last in action a month ago, the Yorkshireman’s form is a mystery, however.
Finally, former Bourne CC rider and domestic domestique deluxe Ali Slater (Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy) may be retired, but he has put on some excellent performances since calling time on his career. Local to the area, he will know every inch of tarmac – will that knowledge help the veteran to another National B win?
Held on the Sunday between the CiCLE Classic and the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix, the Witham Hall and Timmy James Memorial Grand Prixs are hidden gems of the domestic calendar, the second installment of an East Midlands triple crown displaying the best of the sport in the region across three weeks in Spring.
Both races are again designated National B status, the rolling nature of the Witham on the Hill circuit providing ideal preparation for the Lincoln GP in seven days’ time, the stellar list of winners testament to the race’s competitiveness and prestige.
Featured image: Emma Wilcock
What is it?
Organised by local club, Bourne Wheelers CC, the Witham Hall Grand Prix was first run in 2016 as a junior event, continuing in the same format until the Covid-19 pandemic forced its cancellation in 2020. Coming back in 2022, the race expanded with the establishment of the U23 National Road Series to allow riders from that category, before 2024 saw its debut as a National B due to a clash with a Junior Nations Cup race, a change which stands again this year.
The race has a notable list of past winners, three of whom have gone on to ride in the Women’s WorldTour in Jess Roberts, national road race champion Pfeiffer Georgi and Anna Shackley; while three are current UCI Continental team riders, including last year’s winner Lucy Glover, who plies her trade as a first year U23 with the Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team.
The Timmy James Memorial was established to commemorate Tim James, who passed away from a rare cancer on May 14, 2021. A member of Bourne Wheelers CC, Tim inspired his club to organise this race in his memory. The first Memorial race was staged by the SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling team in 2021, James having joined them ahead of the 2020 season. In addition to celebrating Tim’s life, the event aims to raise significant funds for Young Lives Vs Cancer, a charity that provided invaluable support to Tim and his family during his final months.
The race’s first winner was Sam Watson, the Ineos Grenadier a recent winner of the prologue in the Tour de Romandie. Alex Richardson took the spoils twelve months ago, avenging his 2023 defeat at the hands of James McKay, sprinting to the line from a small group after a chaotic last lap on the narrow Lincolnshire lanes.
Route
Surprisingly hilly for Lincolnshire, the 18.6km course straddles the Rutland border and offers a testing 185m of elevation per lap. Devoid of any major hills, the circuit is best described as rolling, offering both sprinters and puncheurs a chance of glory.
Riders enter the circuit at Witham on the Hill after a short neutral section, with the finish line placed on Barber’s Hill on the other side of the course.
From the finish line, the circuit continues on the B1176, dropping down to Ryhall village. At the village, the course turns left onto the A6121, where it runs through Essendine village and Carlby village before another to turn left at the Witham crossroads towards Witham on the Hill. The road through Witham is narrow, with the potential obstacle of parked vehicles. The circuit then heads to Little Bytham, taking in an unclassified road. At Little Bytham, the circuit takes a final left back onto the B1176.
After passing through Careby, there is a short 0.5 km climb to the Barber’s Hill finish line. It’s not steep, averaging 4.2%, but should be enough to help separate the leading riders as they dash for the line.
The Witham Hall GP takes in 5.5 laps (96 km) in total, while the Timmy James Memorial GP involves 8.5 laps (150 km).
Weather
After the warmest start to May on record and a dry April leading to dusty conditions at the nearby CiCLE Classic a week ago, temperatures are set to drop to a maximum of just 12 degrees on Sunday. Punctuated with a strong breeze from the North East, arm warmers and gilets could be the must have accessories for the riders, the unusual wind direction also having the potential to impact the race, with the run in to the line set to be raced with a tailwind.
How to follow
Keep an eye on our Instagram stories. Our live ticker should also be running for the Witham Hall Grand Prix here, and for the Timmy James Memorial here.
Riders to watch
Witham Hall Grand Prix
70 riders are set to start the Witham Hall Grand Prix in a field which pits UCI experience against the youthful exuberance of some of the UK’s fastest sprinters.
The race has a rich history of junior riders impressing, and Abigail Miller (Tofauti Everyone Active Majaco) is another who could add her name to an illustrious list of winners. 9th in the East Cleveland Classic caught the eye in what is becoming a standout season for the second-year junior, having won all three stages and the overall in the Witham Hall 2 Day Junior stage race a month ago on these roads. Her results, which also include 5th in the Dudley GP last year, suggest there is little she cannot do, and as such the 17-year-old will be tough to beat. She’ll also be backed by a strong team including Ella Tandy, who sprinted to the East Midlands regional title last year, as well as finishing 7th in the Witham Hall 2 Day last month.
Leading the charge for organiser Mark Botteley’s Brother UK-OnForm team is Amelia Staunton, who sprinted to second here last year behind Lucy Glover. She may be able to rely on full team support again this year after Botteley’s young charges kept the race together for the now second year junior to demonstrate her fast finish twelve months ago.
Mari Porton is another young rider in possession of a turn of speed at the end of a race, the first year U23 now riding at UCI Continental level with the Handsling Alba Development Road Team. With recent experience in Belgium building on a solid start to the season, the 18-year-old is one of the favourites to open her 2025 account on Barber’s Hill, having finished third twelve months ago.
The young sprinters keep coming, with Erin Avill (Simpson Nouvelles) another rider hoping for a bunch gallop having finished fourth a year ago, while first year U23 Rebecca Woodvine (Team Boompods) was only a place behind her and impressed over the winter in cyclocross, the Welsh rider producing consistent results at the start of the road season.
Corinne Side (Spectra Racing) needs little introduction as a former winner of the National Circuit Series, able to mix it in sprint finishes and take the race by the scruff of the neck. With her 2024 derailed by injury at the Dudley GP, the 24-year-old will be a rider to watch out for here, however the race plays out.
Jayati Hine (Loughborough Lightning) is another rider with a good track record in criterium racing, and will have teammate Georgia Lancaster alongside her, a rising star of the sport. Lightly raced in 2025 so far, Lancaster impressed in the season opening North Lincolnshire Classic with 3rd.
Smurfit Westrock CT currently top The British Continental team standings and also bring a dynamic duo to the race in the shape of Grace Reynolds and Sian Botteley, who will be looking to disrupt the race for the sprinters as much as possible. Botteley is very much on home roads and that local knowledge could give her the upper hand. The same can be said of the University of Nottingham CC’s Tilly Gurney, a grass track national champion and fellow South Lincolnshire native. Her teammate Hannah Clough is also one to watch after catching the eye with some impressive results in her first road races last year, results that suggest she is in contention for the biggest win of her short career if she continues that trajectory this weekend.
Timmy James Memorial
A full quota of 80 riders will start the Timmy James Memorial Grand Prix in the afternoon, some of Britain’s finest domestic riders opting to flex their muscles a week ahead of the Lincoln GP and its showdown on Michaelgate.
With last year’s winner Alex Richardson retired, James McKay is the only former winner in the field, taking a breakthrough win two years ago. That victory propelled McKay to a level he hasn’t yet shown in a slow start to 2025, the Wheelbase CabTech Castelli rider hoping to kick-start his campaign sooner rather than later. A late puncture knocked him out of contention last year, although with a strong sprint and big engine, the former Saint Piran rider has all the ingredients to open his 2025 account on Sunday.
Clay Davies (Ride Revolution Coaching) was the best of the rest behind McKay and Richardson two years ago, also finishing 4th last year. With a win in Spain to add to his Andrews Trophy victory already this year, this could be the year the British Cycling number one ranked rider etches his name onto the trophy for the first time, the experienced 32-year-old capable in a sprint as well as possessing excellent tactical nous.
Matt King is a rider building a reputation for the big occasion, riding a strong race at the CiCLE Classic last weekend where he battled away to stay with the leading group, backing up the form that saw him podium in the Lincoln GP last year. A fast finisher, the course suits the former East Midlands champion, who now plies his trade with the Australian Atom 6 Bikes-Decca Continental Team.
Another rider on a UCI team is Adam Lewis (Team Skyline), the West Midlander claiming National B victory at the East Midlands Road Race Championship last year, one of the highlights from an outstanding season both at home and abroad. Lewis will be no stranger to the Lincolnshire roads and with extensive experience in Belgium the style of racing, which may not suit a rider of his physique on paper, will pose no problem. The question hanging over him is if the final climb is hard enough should he not arrive at the finish alone.
PB Performance bring two riders with the potential for victory in the shape of Welsh Champion Sam Llewelyn and all-rounder George Peden, the latter in excellent form this season both on and off the time trial bike. Peden dug in hard for little reward after spending the day in the break at the Capernwray Road Race, finishing in 6th place and building on a solid performance at the Peaks 2-Day.
Callum Laborde (Private Member) impressed last season during the National Circuit Series, and the former Wheelbase CabTech Castelli rider has hit the ground running on his own terms this season, with 3rd in the Kennel Hill Classic and 5th on the Andrews Trophy. The rolling course and style of racing is likely to play into Laborde’s hands, as it is for Ben Marsh (Team Apogé Charente-Maritime). Another rider without a teammate, the former CiCLE Classic winner finished 2024 well with Project1 in both Belgium and the UK. The rouleur makes the trip from France for the first time since the National Track Championships in February.
Will Tidball (Chorlton Velo) is another track rider of considerable pedigree, the former Scratch Race World Champion one of the significant minority to finish the CiCLE Classic last weekend. A powerful rider, the rolling course should suit Tidball more than his previous National B outing at Capernwray, his sprint lethal should he arrive at the line with a chance of victory.
Tidball’s Great Britain teammate Will Perrett heads the DAS-Richardsons delegation, with time trialists Michael Gill and Ràs Tailteann stage winner Alex Pritchard among those joining him in a strong six-man team. Also alongside them is Alex Peters, the former WorldTour rider and Ryedale GP winner showing glimpses of being back to his brilliant best last season with an impressive performance at the Ryedale GP.
Ben Pease (Moonglu Spatzwear) took victory in the inaugural Ronde van Wymeswold almost a year ago, the time trialist clinching the win with a strong tactical performance on a course not dissimilar to this one. Lightly raced in 2025 and last in action a month ago, the Yorkshireman’s form is a mystery, however.
Finally, former Bourne CC rider and domestic domestique deluxe Ali Slater (Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy) may be retired, but he has put on some excellent performances since calling time on his career. Local to the area, he will know every inch of tarmac – will that knowledge help the veteran to another National B win?
Provisional startlists
Witham Hall Grand Prix
Timmy James Memorial
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