The 2024 Lloyds Bank National Road Series concludes this weekend, as Britain’s top domestic road racing talents assemble in Northumberland for the prestigious Curlew Cup and Beaumont Trophy. With individual and team series titles still up for grabs, Sunday promises to deliver tense and thrilling racing.
History
The open Beaumont Trophy boasts a rich history dating back to 1952, making it one of the oldest road races in the UK. Over the years, it has attracted some of the biggest names in British and international cycling, with previous winners including Sir Bradley Wiggins, Malcolm Elliott, and Joey McLoughlin. Last year’s victor, Finn Crockett, claimed the title while riding for Saint Piran.
Launched in 2012, the Curlew Cup may be a newer addition, but it has quickly become a key fixture on the women’s racing calendar. The race has seen notable winners such as Dame Sarah Storey, Hannah Barnes, and Katie Archibald, with Corinne Side the reigning champion.
Route
Starting and finishing in the picturesque village of Stamfordham, both races feature a challenging mix of climbs, fast descents, and technical B-roads. The infamous Ryals, a 2.7 km ascent with gradients of up to 13%, forms the heart of the course.
The Curlew Cup consists of three laps around a 40.8 km circuit, totalling 122.4 km with 1,593 metres of climbing.
The Beaumont Trophy takes in four laps of the same circuit, followed by a shorter 22 km finishing loop, resulting in a total of 182.3 km and 2,312 metres of elevation.
Curlew Cup
Only 21 points separate the top three riders in the women’s series. Series leader Eilidh Shaw (Alba Development Road Team) is in prime position to add the Lloyds Bank National Road Series title to her national circuit series victory earlier this year. The 19-year-old Scot holds a 16-point advantage over Lucy Harris (Pro-Noctis – 200º Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd), while Frankie Hall (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) trails Harris by just five points. With series honours at stake, these three riders will likely be focused on marking each other throughout the race.
Junior Esther Wong (Shibden Apex RT), Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix winner Lucy Lee (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) and Caitlin Dimbleby (unattached) also have mathematical shots at the series title, but their chances are slim given their respective deficits to Shaw are relatively large.
Others to watch include Lauren Dickson (Alba Development Road Team), whose impressive National Road Series debut saw her claim second place at the Lancaster Grand Prix, and Monica Greenwood (Team Coop-Repsol), the 2023 series winner.
Additional riders with the potential to make an impact include El King and Maddie Leech from Lifeplus-Wahoo, and a strong DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK team featuring Ruth Shier, Tammy Miller, and Morven Yeoman. Look out too for Grace Reynolds (Brother UK – On Form), Lucy Gadd Pro-Noctis – 200º Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd), Lizzie Hermolle (Team Boompods) and Movistar-bound junior Carys Lloyd (Tofauti Everyone Active).
Beaumont Trophy
George Kimber (Spirit TBW Stuart Hall Cycling) leads the open series by just nine points over James McKay (Saint Piran), with Matt Holmes (One Good Thing Orientation Marketing) and McKay’s teammate Rowan Baker close behind. The latter three raced in this month’s Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men, and how they respond to that intense block of racing could determine the outcome of the race and the overall series title.
McKay and Baker enjoy support from a strong Saint Piran squad which will be looking for a third Beaumont Trophy win after victories in 2022 and 2023. They count new signing Tom Williams – winner of the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix – among their number.
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli is another strong outfit looking to end the season on a high. Tom Armstrong – who is sixth in the series standings – and 2024 Rás stage winners Tim Shoreman and Tom Martin are among the team’s contenders.
Speaking of the Rás, the 2024 GC winner Dom Jackson (Foran CT) is another rider keen to make a statement in Northumberland. Look out too for professional Tom Portsmouth (Bingoal WB). Other riders to watch include Ribble Rebellion fast man Matt Bostock, Damien Clayton (Le Col), Ollie Rees (Sabgal/Anicolor) and Finn McHenry (The Cycling Academy).
Timings and how to watch
The Curlew Cup kicks off at 8:45am, while the Beaumont Trophy begins at 1:30pm. You can follow the action live on British Cycling’s social media channels.
For more a more in-depth preview of the race, head to The British Continental.
