Extra late off-road sector sharpens Women’s CiCLE Classic finale
The 2026 Women’s CiCLE Classic will retain its traditional distance but feature an expanded late-race off-road sequence, with both the women’s and junior events tackling Stapleford Park twice in the closing phase.
The ANEXO/CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic will feature two late passages of Stapleford Park in its 2026 edition, with organisers confirming a revised route that increases the number of off-road sectors to eight while retaining the race’s established 105km distance.
The additional Stapleford Park sector will come deep into the closing phase of the race, increasing the influence of the parkland roads at a point where fatigue is likely to have accumulated. The estate has been a recurring feature of the CiCLE route in recent years, but the revised map places it more decisively within the finishing sequence.
The women’s race will again serve as the opening round of the Women’s National Road Series, giving the early-season route changes added significance in shaping form and momentum at the start of the campaign.
Organiser Colin Clews told The British Continental that the change had been considered alongside wider logistical constraints. “The distance for both races will continue to be 105 kilometres,” he said. “Although the ongoing roadworks are expected to be finished by the end of March, their effect on local traffic flow is unknown and certainly places in doubt whether the finishing circuit there can be reintroduced, so the race will go straight into Melton town centre to finish.”
As in 2025, the finishing circuit will therefore be bypassed. After the final passage through Stapleford Park, the race will descend Burton Road before reaching the finish on Sherrard Street via Mill Lane and Regent Road.
Clews added that the revised route brings the total number of off-road sectors in the women’s race to eight, up from seven last year.
It will make quite a difference being an extra sector so late in the race, which will make for an exciting finish
The change follows the 2025 edition, won by Lucy Harris, then riding for Smurfit Westrock – the team managed by Rick Lister, who has long argued for the Stapleford Park section to play a greater role in shaping the race. Lister said the timing of the additional passage could be significant. “I feel it will make quite a difference being an extra sector so late in the race, which will make for an exciting finish,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the ANEXO/CAMS Junior CiCLE Classic will mirror the same adjustment, also tackling two late passages of Stapleford Park as part of its 12th edition, which forms round two of the British Cycling Junior Open Road Series. The 2025 junior race was won by Harry Hudson, who later went on to become world road race champion.
Clews also asked that coverage acknowledges the agreement of Lord and Lady Gretton, whose permission allows the races to pass through the Stapleford Park estate. Updated route maps reflecting all changes have now been released by the organisers.
The ANEXO/CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic will feature two late passages of Stapleford Park in its 2026 edition, with organisers confirming a revised route that increases the number of off-road sectors to eight while retaining the race’s established 105km distance.
The additional Stapleford Park sector will come deep into the closing phase of the race, increasing the influence of the parkland roads at a point where fatigue is likely to have accumulated. The estate has been a recurring feature of the CiCLE route in recent years, but the revised map places it more decisively within the finishing sequence.
The women’s race will again serve as the opening round of the Women’s National Road Series, giving the early-season route changes added significance in shaping form and momentum at the start of the campaign.
Organiser Colin Clews told The British Continental that the change had been considered alongside wider logistical constraints. “The distance for both races will continue to be 105 kilometres,” he said. “Although the ongoing roadworks are expected to be finished by the end of March, their effect on local traffic flow is unknown and certainly places in doubt whether the finishing circuit there can be reintroduced, so the race will go straight into Melton town centre to finish.”
As in 2025, the finishing circuit will therefore be bypassed. After the final passage through Stapleford Park, the race will descend Burton Road before reaching the finish on Sherrard Street via Mill Lane and Regent Road.
Clews added that the revised route brings the total number of off-road sectors in the women’s race to eight, up from seven last year.
The change follows the 2025 edition, won by Lucy Harris, then riding for Smurfit Westrock – the team managed by Rick Lister, who has long argued for the Stapleford Park section to play a greater role in shaping the race. Lister said the timing of the additional passage could be significant. “I feel it will make quite a difference being an extra sector so late in the race, which will make for an exciting finish,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the ANEXO/CAMS Junior CiCLE Classic will mirror the same adjustment, also tackling two late passages of Stapleford Park as part of its 12th edition, which forms round two of the British Cycling Junior Open Road Series. The 2025 junior race was won by Harry Hudson, who later went on to become world road race champion.
Clews also asked that coverage acknowledges the agreement of Lord and Lady Gretton, whose permission allows the races to pass through the Stapleford Park estate. Updated route maps reflecting all changes have now been released by the organisers.
Featured image: Mathew Wells/SWpix.com
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