British women’s circuit racing to be held as national series for the first time
A new men's three-day stage race on the Isle of Man will also be introduced
British Cycling will hold a domestic women’s circuit racing series for the first time in 2019.
The three-race calendar was announced by the national cycling governing body on Wednesday, alongside six race dates for the men.
In 2018, women had one series made up of both circuit and road races, whilst men had two separate competitions.
Now, both the men’s and women’s National Circuit Series will see the best British talent compete over a number of criterium rounds to win as individuals and teams after the final race.
As well as announcing the dates for the Circuit Series, British Cycling has unveiled the events that will make up the National Road Race Series, and the National Championship dates and locations across both disciplines.
Announcing the Road Race Series, British Cycling confirmed there will be a new men's three-day race held on the Isle of Man next year.
British Cycling commercial director Jonathan Rigby said: “The calendars for both series will provide challenging, enjoyable racing for riders, and fantastic venues for cycling fans to follow the action.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“Progression of the series is an on-going process and, thanks to effective collaboration with teams, hosts and organisers, there are some positive steps: new race routes such as those in Leicester, Bristol and the South East, a town centre finish for the Tour of the Reservoir, and what promises to be a thrilling addition to the men’s series – a three-day stage race in the Isle of Man.”
>>> Team Wiggins unveils new co-title sponsor for 2019
The 10-race men’s series will see the team and individual series champions crowned at the Leicester Cycle Classic on August 25, while women’s titles will be handed out after the eighth race at the Rydedale Grasscrete Grand Prix on August 18.
The women’s series and new three-day men’s race will be welcome additions on the domestic scene, which has be ailing in recent years.
>>> British champion Connor Swift to stay at Madison Genesis in 2019
Some have branded the British cycling “the worst it’s ever been” after the closure of a number of teams.
The boss of the M2 Sports marketing agency, Steve Fry, proposed drastic changes to bolster the homegrown scene, including budget caps for teams, creating a coherent race calendar and teams doing more to prove their worth to sponsors.
Full dates for the HSBS UK National Circuit Series
Women's
Round 1: Bristol Grand Prix – Saturday 16 June, 2019
Round 2: Otley Grand Prix – Wednesday 3 July, 2019
Round 3: Barnsley Town Centre Races – Friday 19 July, 2019
Men's
Round 1: Otley Grand Prix – Wednesday 3 July, 2019
Round 2: The Wales Open Criterium – Friday 5 July, 2019
Round 3: Venue TBC – Wednesday 10 July, 2019
Round 4: Colne Grand Prix – Tuesday 16 July, 2019
Round 5: Barnsley Town Centre Races – Friday 19 July, 2019
Round 6: Sheffield Grand Prix – Wednesday 24 July, 2019
HSBC UK National Circuit Championships (men’s and women’s)
Rochester – Sunday 21 July, 2019
HSBC UK National Road Series
Women’s
Round one - East Cleveland Klondike Ladies’ Grand Prix – Sunday April 14, 2019
Round two - Chestnut Homes Lincoln Grand Prix – Sunday May 12, 2019
Round three - CiCLE Classic – Sunday June 9, 2019
Round four - The Alexandra Tour of the Reservoir – Saturday June 22 - Sunday June 23, 2019
Round five - Curlew Cup – Sunday July 7, 2019
Round six - Stockton Grand Prix – Sunday July 14, 2019
Round seven - South Coast Classic – Saturday July 27, 2019
Round eight - The Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix – Sunday August 18, 2019
Men’s
Round one - East Cleveland Klondike Men’s Grand Prix – Sunday April 14, 2019
Round two - Chestnut Homes Lincoln Grand Prix – Sunday May 12, 2019
Round three - Bristol Grand Prix – Sunday June 16, 2019
Round four - Tour of the Reservoir – Saturday June 22 - Sunday June 23, 2019
Round five - Beaumont Trophy – Sunday July 7, 2019
Round six - Stockton Grand Prix – Sunday July 14, 2019
Round seven - South Coast Classic – Sunday July 28, 2019
Round eight - Isle of Man – Friday August 2 - Sunday August 4, 2019
Round nine - The Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix – Sunday August 18, 2019
Round ten - Leicester Castle Classic – Sunday August 25, 2019
HSBC UK National Road Championships (men’s and women’s)
Norfolk – Thursday June 27 - Sunday June 30, 2019
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Blackburn Central Seatpost Rear Rack Review - a sturdy solution for frames without mounts
A versatile and well-made rack that will fit most bikes, but is particularly useful for frames that lack rack mounts.
By Paul Grele Published
-
'I've never seen the cobbles as bad as this' - Inside one team's Paris-Roubaix recon
Tom Davidson joins British Continental team Lifeplus-Wahoo as they prepare for the most feared race of the season
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Talks underway to take Tour of Britain Women to Wales this year
Wrexham Council in discussions with British Cycling officials to host second stage as race potentially set to start in Wales
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
British National Road Championships return to Saltburn in 2024
The events will take place in the north east of England for the second year running
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'My legs are screaming' - 17-year-old stuns with two gold medals at the British Track Championships
Sam Fisher enjoyed a dream day with victories in the team pursuit and scratch race
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I'm in shock' - 16-year-old school student wins medal at British Track Championships
A-Level student Henry Hobbs rode a blistering kilometre time trial to earn a spot on the podium
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Olympic hopeful Will Perrett dazzles at British Track Championships
27-year-old gains three laps to win points race in style, on a night when para-cycling national records tumbled
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Wout van Aert and Visma-Lease a Bike left out of pocket by Tour of Britain organiser's collapse
Prize money for 2023 race unpaid, riders union says national federation must ‘bear the debts’ of previous organiser, SweetSpot
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tour of Britain and Women's Tour future guaranteed by British Cycling, but women's race in doubt for 2024
National federation committed to ensuring men's and women’s races take place this year but CEO admits it is in a ‘race against the clock’ to put on women's event
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Great Britain collect best ever medal tally at ‘fantastic’ European Track Championships
Performance director Stephen Park hails squad after claiming 14 medals
By Tom Davidson Published