The Scott Contessa Road Race Academy is a 2 day coach led racing event by Scottish Cycling for women.

Entry to the coaching element of this weekend is £10 per day. Registering for the Open Criterium event on Sunday automatically allows access to Sunday morning's coached activity however Saturday's coaching will need to be paid for seperately. Coaching is from 10.30am to 3.30pm  on both days.

Following on from a series of local sessions by female coaches this event is aimed at giving (senior) female riders a first taste of racing in a supportive yet professional race enviroment.

If you are interested in attending the coaching in the run up to this event please contact chris.bryant@scottishcycling.org.uk for more informtion on sessions local to you. Scottish Cycling will have been working with these regional coaches to provide skills and fitness sessions prior to the event. However, in addition to that training the main part of the 23rd and 24th March will also be focussed around coach led activity so there will be plenty of opportunities to up-skill yourself or gain confidence in a road race environment. The final event of the weekend is a closed circuit (traffic free) race which will be handicapped to allow an even chance for all competitors to approach the finishing line as a bunch. You never know, you may win!

The coaching on the weekend will be based around a theme of a stage race and participants will be able to experience a Team Time Trial like the prologue of the Tour De France as well as various bunch riding race skills such as those required for a criterium or APR (Australian Pursuit Race). A skills session will run from 10.30am on Sunday the 24th prior to the race event and riders need not attend both days however it is strogly recommended that all racers attend the coaching session on Sunday to allow an even handicap to be allocated before the race. Riders not participating in the coaching will be categorised as elite during the race.

Info for Riders

The race will now be two races due to high levels of interest. Fields will be drawn at random. This will allow for fair, safe and fun racing: Riders must be aged over 18 and be relatively new to road race and competitive Time Trials. For group riding activities you must have access to a bike with drop handlebars (flat bar road bikes will be allowed during coaching but will not be permitted within the race), time trial activities may be conducted using aerobars but these will not be allowed during group riding activities. Your regional Scott Contessa Academy Coach or a member of Scottish Cycling's staff will be able to advise on the technical aspects if you require further guidance. The day's coaching starts at 10.30 and the race starts at 13.00.