Anexo CAMS 8th Women’s CiCLE Classic 2024 - Race Preview
Sunday 17th March 2024, Melton Mowbray
2pm start
Whilst it feels like last year’s season has only just ended, and the team only arrived home from winter training camp last week, this Sunday sees the 2024 National Road Race Series kick off with the CiCLE Classic.
Billed as the UK’s ‘Belgian Classic’, the CiCLE Classic has become an icon in the domestic calendar with it’s punchy, undulating profile, mixture of surfaces from good road through to ‘gravel’ farm track and everything in between. Throw in the early season scheduling, usually resulting in wet, cold conditions and you have a race suited to those strong riders who thrive on the challenge and don’t balk at poor conditions.
This year’s race is 105km with just over 1,000m of climbing, starting and finishing in the centre of Melton Mowbray before meandering south, before the race highlight, multiple circuits through and around Owston.
Not only does Owston mark the infamous Manor Farm, off-road sectors, but also the approach to the Burrough Berg, one of three Queen of the Bergs climbs for which the overall winner will take away a £100 prize.
Also of note is the spot prize for the Melton Town Sprint, a ‘Special Pork Pie’ enjoyed by Jo and her team mates last year!
Previous winners of the race include Katie Archibald, Rebecca Durrell, Neah Evans and last year’s winner, Jessica Finney. Being an early test of the racing legs, the race often attracts high profile entrants and can throw up unpredictable results.
As of writing we’re yet to announce our final lineup for the race although there’s a feeling in the team that, with a number of the girls favouring tough races in difficult conditions, we could field a strong team who can work together to bring some control to the race.
The long range weather forecast looks, unusally, to be dry and bright but with heavy rain in the weeks and days beforehand, expect the conditions to still be challenging.
For spectators looking to come out and support the team on Sunday, Owston is a great place to base yourself. With spectator car park, the opportunity to see the race pass by multiple times, live commentary, refreshments served at the village hall and the spectacle of the race passing through Manor farm, you’ll experience the true character of the competition.
We’ll be bringing you a report and reaction from the race next week and watch out on Instagram for updates and early reaction on Sunday.
Words and photographs by Adam Winfield