A fixture that has quietly become a cornerstone of the National B calendar, Capernwray returns this Saturday (4 April) with its familiar blend of narrow Lancashire lanes, selective climbing and a sting in the tail on Sunny Bank.
A modern classic, Saturday’s Capernwray Road Races have become among the most prestigious on the National B calendar over the past decade. Organised by Cold Dark North and taking place on a picturesque Lancastrian circuit finishing atop “Sunny Bank”, the races have produced a list of winners which reads like Hall of fame of the domestic calendar – Ian Bibby, Finn Crockett, Robyn Clay, and Cat Ferguson all raising their arms here.
The early April date also offers riders the opportunity to test their legs with just a week to go until the East Cleveland Classic, the unrelenting nature of the course ideal preparation for the National Road Series showdown on Saltburn Bank just eight days later.
Featured image: Darren Athersmith
What is it?
Set on a challenging course on the edge of the Forest of Bowland, the race has been described by organisers Cold Dark North as a “heritage race” – a series of tough climbs and technical Lancashire roads proving a playground for some of Britain’s best talent to shine.
Sponsored by Topp Cycling – who also back our National Road Series preview coverage – the race again is a standalone event after the pausing of the Proper Northern Road Race Series last season, and features a bumper prize pot with £300 on offer to the winners of both the open and women’s races. Josh Housley returns to defend his crown after an emotional win twelve months ago, while a new name will be etched in the history books for the women.
Route
The 12.7-kilometre anti-clockwise circuit concludes atop the now notorious Sunny Bank, featuring 195 meters of ascent per lap. The open race is slated for 8 laps (101km), while the women are set for 6 laps with a race distance of 76km.
Characterised by its undulating, technical nature and several narrow road sections, the course offers ample opportunities for breakaway aspirants to make a move and disappear from view.
The route commences southward from Borwick and Priest Hutton Memorial Hall down Borwick Lane, veering left onto Capernwray Road upon reaching Borwick. Participants enter the circuit as Capernwray Road converges with Borwick Road at the Keer Holme Lane junction, embarking on the circuit in an anti-clockwise direction.
The peloton accesses the circuit shortly before approaching the Sunny Bank climb, affording riders an early chance to familiarise themselves with the run-up to the finish.
Beyond Sunny Bank, the route descends approximately four kilometres, sending riders swiftly towards Arkholme. However, complacency is ill-advised as three significant ascents dot the circuit. Shortly following the descent, riders left-turn at Arkholme into the 600-metre Bay Horse Inn climb, presenting an average gradient of 5% – a test for fatigued legs in the latter stages.
The subsequent ascent, Docker Park, materialises six and a half kilometres into the circuit, mirroring the Bay Horse Inn climb in gradient and length. Following a brief, swift descent, the terrain levels out for around three and a half kilometres.
Cold Dark North has a preference for concluding their races on an ascent – fondly dubbing them ‘stabby bastard hills’ – and this course faithfully adheres to that tradition. Indeed, the circuit reserves its most challenging climb for the finale: the 1.3-kilometre Sunny Bank ascent (known on Strava as Borwick Hill). With an average gradient of 7.1%, the climb is uneven, peaking at a steep 15.4% approximately midway, then moderates before a final steep section commences about 300 meters from the finish.
The climb takes around three minutes at full effort, give or take 15-20 seconds, and the first rider up this leg-sapper on the last lap will be crowned the winner. Tough enough to entice the pure climbers, the easing gradients in the second half help ensure the strongest riders come to the fore in the final laps.
Timings
The open race begins at 9am, with the women’s race following at 1pm.
Weather
The good news for the riders is there is virtually no chance of rain, overcast skies greeting the riders with temperatures reaching 11°c in the afternoon. However, a major pinch of salt to be served with that is a strong southerly breeze, gusts of up to 50km/h providing a stiff headwind up the final climb and adding an extra layer of intrigue into the race – could we see a sprint unfold as the riders round the final tree-lined corner?.
The wind chill factor will also be in play, particularly for the morning’s open race – leg, arm warmers, and a dose of northern grit could be the order of the day.
Contenders
Women’s race
All 39 women who take to the start on Saturday afternoon will do so dreaming of potentially the biggest win of their career, their task made easier by the absence of Britain’s UCI Continental teams on the startlist.
Rachel Galler (FTP-Fulfil the Potential-Racing) is no stranger to the big occasion, the reigning National Hill Climb Champion perfectly suited to a drag race up the final ascent of Sunny Bank. The 35-year-old was solid, if not spectacular, in the Peaks-2-Day and will look to build on that form as she searches for her best National B result to date.
Teammate Ruby Oakes remains one of the most promising riders in Britain having ridden with DAS-Hutchinson for her maiden U23 campaign last season. With international experience aplenty and a 4th place in the Ronde van Wymeswold under her belt, this could be the opportunity the 19-year-old has been waiting for to take her second National B win after triumphing in the Duncan Murray Wines Road Race two years ago.
Anna Morris leads the way in last year’s race. Image: Darren Athersmith
There is little Anna Morris (Private Member) can’t do on a bike, and she arrives here as arguably the outright favourite a year after she took third place. The individual pursuit world champion and star of last season’s National Circuit Series, the 30-year-old doctor has an enviable record in hilly road races, Sunny Bank suiting her style perfectly, even if the headwind could disrupt her efforts to go solo.
Grace Sargeant (London Academy) finished second behind Esther Wong twelve months ago, and offers stiff competition to the likes of Morris in just her second season of road racing. Sarah King’s ‘wildcard’ pick for 2025 recorded National level road race top tens on four separate occasions last season, could Capernwray produce a maiden win for the 27-year-old?
Such is the talent coming out of thr junior ranks in Britain today, it is no surprise that Shibden Apex have two potential winners representing them in Phoebe Taylor and Ayesha Vose, the pair looking to emulate Cat Ferguson’s famous 2023 victory in the team’s colours.
Both just 17 years of age, Taylor is a multiple track world champion with a Junior Nations Cup top ten to her name this year, while Vose battled into the top-20 at the CiCLE Classic, the opening round of the National Road Series last month, as well as posting three National B top tens as a first year junior in 2025.
Open race
What the field lacks in size it more than makes up for in quality, with a host of potential winners throughout. The cold temperatures at the start of the race likely to be quickly neutralised by the heat of the intense battle.
Josh Housley (Ride Revolution Coaching) returns to defend his title and does so with an enviable record in National B races since a breakthrough 2024. Always aggressive, the Nottinghamshire rider has yet to find the right move so far this year, however 12th place in the Kennel Hill Classic and 10th overall in the Peaks 2-Day signs his form is in a good place.
Housley spent many kilometres in the early break last year with time trial specialist George Peden (PB Performance), who proved that his metronomic style is suited to the harsh nature of the course, before running out of steam as the race reached its climax. He will again be looking to play the aggressor with Yorkshireman Ben Pease (Moonglu Spatzwear) another time trialist specialist with similar aspirations, the overall victory at the Ronde van Wymeswold in 2024 proving he can take the top step of the podium at this level.
Tyler Hannay won this race in 2024 in the colours of Saint Piran, and while a lot has changed in the two years since, the 22-year-old, a rouleur with a turbo boosted diesel engine, remains a rider to watch. Riding for the Excellent Noodles Cycling Team, Hannay is coming back as something of a social media star having taken a break from the sport last season, although behind the viral dances remains a young rider with serious potential.
Housley wins the 2025 edition. Image: Darren Athersmith
Magnus Denwood (Prologue RT) followed in Hannay’s footsteps when he won the Junior Tour of South Wales last season, the first year U23 one of the few finishers in the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race last Sunday, a 14th place a solid season debut. He may be something of an outsider in this company, but spearheads an exciting Prologue U23 project.
Nathan Smith leads a strong Cycling Sheffield contingent following on from an impressive 3rd place in Leicestershire on Sunday, the second year U23 an excellent climber full of Yorkshire grit. Second overall in the Bizkaiko Itzulia as a junior, could Sunday be the time the 19-year-old takes a breakthrough win?
Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli bring a strong three man team to their local race, Dexter Leeming-Sykes joined by the ‘two Toms’ – Armstrong, racing on home Lancastrian roads, and breakaway specialist Martin. Both riders enjoyed excellent 2025 seasons, Armstrong taking a maiden National A win at the Cambridge Criterium before being denied a National Road Series win in the Wentworth Woodhouse Grand Prix by a mechanical in the final sprint to the line, while Martin, a fine climber, took overall victory in the Ràs Mumhan. Third here last year after lighting up the final ascent of Sunny Bank, Armstrong will be looking to kick-start his season in similar fashion, playing the foil to Martin who is likely to make the race a hard one.
Matt Bostock and Ollie Wood appear for the new Rapha Cycling Club team, the pair having spent their winters on the track as part of the Great Britain set up, riding the European Championships in Turkey in February. After a successful National Track Championships, where he claimed the scratch race title, former professional Bostock will look to continue where he left off on the road having taken the Rapha Super-League crown last season. The Manxman possesses a surprisingly good record in hilly road races and could better his 13th place here last year.
Finally, Matti Dobbins (Edinburgh Bike Fitting RT) has the attributes to take a prestigious win, having conquered a summit finish to win the Mennock Pass Stage Race last season. The Irish rider also spent his winter on the boards, although looks to be in good form having tested his legs with a sixth place at the Gifford Road Race north of the border last
A modern classic, Saturday’s Capernwray Road Races have become among the most prestigious on the National B calendar over the past decade. Organised by Cold Dark North and taking place on a picturesque Lancastrian circuit finishing atop “Sunny Bank”, the races have produced a list of winners which reads like Hall of fame of the domestic calendar – Ian Bibby, Finn Crockett, Robyn Clay, and Cat Ferguson all raising their arms here.
The early April date also offers riders the opportunity to test their legs with just a week to go until the East Cleveland Classic, the unrelenting nature of the course ideal preparation for the National Road Series showdown on Saltburn Bank just eight days later.
Featured image: Darren Athersmith
What is it?
Set on a challenging course on the edge of the Forest of Bowland, the race has been described by organisers Cold Dark North as a “heritage race” – a series of tough climbs and technical Lancashire roads proving a playground for some of Britain’s best talent to shine.
Sponsored by Topp Cycling – who also back our National Road Series preview coverage – the race again is a standalone event after the pausing of the Proper Northern Road Race Series last season, and features a bumper prize pot with £300 on offer to the winners of both the open and women’s races. Josh Housley returns to defend his crown after an emotional win twelve months ago, while a new name will be etched in the history books for the women.
Route
The 12.7-kilometre anti-clockwise circuit concludes atop the now notorious Sunny Bank, featuring 195 meters of ascent per lap. The open race is slated for 8 laps (101km), while the women are set for 6 laps with a race distance of 76km.
Characterised by its undulating, technical nature and several narrow road sections, the course offers ample opportunities for breakaway aspirants to make a move and disappear from view.
The route commences southward from Borwick and Priest Hutton Memorial Hall down Borwick Lane, veering left onto Capernwray Road upon reaching Borwick. Participants enter the circuit as Capernwray Road converges with Borwick Road at the Keer Holme Lane junction, embarking on the circuit in an anti-clockwise direction.
The peloton accesses the circuit shortly before approaching the Sunny Bank climb, affording riders an early chance to familiarise themselves with the run-up to the finish.
Beyond Sunny Bank, the route descends approximately four kilometres, sending riders swiftly towards Arkholme. However, complacency is ill-advised as three significant ascents dot the circuit. Shortly following the descent, riders left-turn at Arkholme into the 600-metre Bay Horse Inn climb, presenting an average gradient of 5% – a test for fatigued legs in the latter stages.
The subsequent ascent, Docker Park, materialises six and a half kilometres into the circuit, mirroring the Bay Horse Inn climb in gradient and length. Following a brief, swift descent, the terrain levels out for around three and a half kilometres.
Cold Dark North has a preference for concluding their races on an ascent – fondly dubbing them ‘stabby bastard hills’ – and this course faithfully adheres to that tradition. Indeed, the circuit reserves its most challenging climb for the finale: the 1.3-kilometre Sunny Bank ascent (known on Strava as Borwick Hill). With an average gradient of 7.1%, the climb is uneven, peaking at a steep 15.4% approximately midway, then moderates before a final steep section commences about 300 meters from the finish.
The climb takes around three minutes at full effort, give or take 15-20 seconds, and the first rider up this leg-sapper on the last lap will be crowned the winner. Tough enough to entice the pure climbers, the easing gradients in the second half help ensure the strongest riders come to the fore in the final laps.
Timings
The open race begins at 9am, with the women’s race following at 1pm.
Weather
The good news for the riders is there is virtually no chance of rain, overcast skies greeting the riders with temperatures reaching 11°c in the afternoon. However, a major pinch of salt to be served with that is a strong southerly breeze, gusts of up to 50km/h providing a stiff headwind up the final climb and adding an extra layer of intrigue into the race – could we see a sprint unfold as the riders round the final tree-lined corner?.
The wind chill factor will also be in play, particularly for the morning’s open race – leg, arm warmers, and a dose of northern grit could be the order of the day.
Contenders
Women’s race
All 39 women who take to the start on Saturday afternoon will do so dreaming of potentially the biggest win of their career, their task made easier by the absence of Britain’s UCI Continental teams on the startlist.
Rachel Galler (FTP-Fulfil the Potential-Racing) is no stranger to the big occasion, the reigning National Hill Climb Champion perfectly suited to a drag race up the final ascent of Sunny Bank. The 35-year-old was solid, if not spectacular, in the Peaks-2-Day and will look to build on that form as she searches for her best National B result to date.
Teammate Ruby Oakes remains one of the most promising riders in Britain having ridden with DAS-Hutchinson for her maiden U23 campaign last season. With international experience aplenty and a 4th place in the Ronde van Wymeswold under her belt, this could be the opportunity the 19-year-old has been waiting for to take her second National B win after triumphing in the Duncan Murray Wines Road Race two years ago.
There is little Anna Morris (Private Member) can’t do on a bike, and she arrives here as arguably the outright favourite a year after she took third place. The individual pursuit world champion and star of last season’s National Circuit Series, the 30-year-old doctor has an enviable record in hilly road races, Sunny Bank suiting her style perfectly, even if the headwind could disrupt her efforts to go solo.
Grace Sargeant (London Academy) finished second behind Esther Wong twelve months ago, and offers stiff competition to the likes of Morris in just her second season of road racing. Sarah King’s ‘wildcard’ pick for 2025 recorded National level road race top tens on four separate occasions last season, could Capernwray produce a maiden win for the 27-year-old?
Such is the talent coming out of thr junior ranks in Britain today, it is no surprise that Shibden Apex have two potential winners representing them in Phoebe Taylor and Ayesha Vose, the pair looking to emulate Cat Ferguson’s famous 2023 victory in the team’s colours.
Both just 17 years of age, Taylor is a multiple track world champion with a Junior Nations Cup top ten to her name this year, while Vose battled into the top-20 at the CiCLE Classic, the opening round of the National Road Series last month, as well as posting three National B top tens as a first year junior in 2025.
Open race
What the field lacks in size it more than makes up for in quality, with a host of potential winners throughout. The cold temperatures at the start of the race likely to be quickly neutralised by the heat of the intense battle.
Josh Housley (Ride Revolution Coaching) returns to defend his title and does so with an enviable record in National B races since a breakthrough 2024. Always aggressive, the Nottinghamshire rider has yet to find the right move so far this year, however 12th place in the Kennel Hill Classic and 10th overall in the Peaks 2-Day signs his form is in a good place.
Housley spent many kilometres in the early break last year with time trial specialist George Peden (PB Performance), who proved that his metronomic style is suited to the harsh nature of the course, before running out of steam as the race reached its climax. He will again be looking to play the aggressor with Yorkshireman Ben Pease (Moonglu Spatzwear) another time trialist specialist with similar aspirations, the overall victory at the Ronde van Wymeswold in 2024 proving he can take the top step of the podium at this level.
Tyler Hannay won this race in 2024 in the colours of Saint Piran, and while a lot has changed in the two years since, the 22-year-old, a rouleur with a turbo boosted diesel engine, remains a rider to watch. Riding for the Excellent Noodles Cycling Team, Hannay is coming back as something of a social media star having taken a break from the sport last season, although behind the viral dances remains a young rider with serious potential.
Magnus Denwood (Prologue RT) followed in Hannay’s footsteps when he won the Junior Tour of South Wales last season, the first year U23 one of the few finishers in the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race last Sunday, a 14th place a solid season debut. He may be something of an outsider in this company, but spearheads an exciting Prologue U23 project.
Nathan Smith leads a strong Cycling Sheffield contingent following on from an impressive 3rd place in Leicestershire on Sunday, the second year U23 an excellent climber full of Yorkshire grit. Second overall in the Bizkaiko Itzulia as a junior, could Sunday be the time the 19-year-old takes a breakthrough win?
Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli bring a strong three man team to their local race, Dexter Leeming-Sykes joined by the ‘two Toms’ – Armstrong, racing on home Lancastrian roads, and breakaway specialist Martin. Both riders enjoyed excellent 2025 seasons, Armstrong taking a maiden National A win at the Cambridge Criterium before being denied a National Road Series win in the Wentworth Woodhouse Grand Prix by a mechanical in the final sprint to the line, while Martin, a fine climber, took overall victory in the Ràs Mumhan. Third here last year after lighting up the final ascent of Sunny Bank, Armstrong will be looking to kick-start his season in similar fashion, playing the foil to Martin who is likely to make the race a hard one.
Matt Bostock and Ollie Wood appear for the new Rapha Cycling Club team, the pair having spent their winters on the track as part of the Great Britain set up, riding the European Championships in Turkey in February. After a successful National Track Championships, where he claimed the scratch race title, former professional Bostock will look to continue where he left off on the road having taken the Rapha Super-League crown last season. The Manxman possesses a surprisingly good record in hilly road races and could better his 13th place here last year.
Finally, Matti Dobbins (Edinburgh Bike Fitting RT) has the attributes to take a prestigious win, having conquered a summit finish to win the Mennock Pass Stage Race last season. The Irish rider also spent his winter on the boards, although looks to be in good form having tested his legs with a sixth place at the Gifford Road Race north of the border last
Provisional startlist
Women’s race
Open race
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