The Curlew Cup & Beaumont Trophy, Northumberland – Sunday 17 August
Riders travelled to Northumberland for a chance to win the prestigious Curlew Cup and Beaumont Trophy. Both events have been a mainstay in the cycling calendar since their inception, with the Curlew Cup first held in 2012 and Beaumont Trophy dating all the way back to 1952.
Words by British Cycling, Images by Chris Maher
The Ryals, a 2.7km climb with a gradient of 13% is the highlight of the course that riders have to tackle multiple times, with strong headwinds on the day blowing across the open road.
In the Curlew Cup, Lucy Lee (DAS-Hutchinson) was in a class of her own, crossing the finish line on her own, almost a minute in front of the chasing pack.
It was a close race throughout, with very few attacks on the opening lap, before Lee and Grace Reynolds (Smurfit Westrock) launched an attack that was able to last throughout the second lap. Reynolds finished second, while Mari Porton (Handsling Alba Development RT) finished in third place and was the best placed under-23 rider. Lee also took the Queen of the Mountain title.
Speaking on her win, Lee said:
“It feels really good, it’s my first race of the season, one I really like so it feels prestigious to win.
“One of the things I love about the national road series is because it’s such a nice community, you naturally know everyone’s strengths and weaknesses so that experience definitely helps.”
Robyn Clay (DAS-Hutchinson) came into the race as both national series leader and defending champion of the Curlew Cup. Clay finished seventh, ensuring she remains the series leader, ahead of the final round later this month in Rotherham.
Lucy Lee talking to the Media after her win.
“You could tell there were going to be attacks. The overall feeling was we didn’t want to be normal & just roll round. Lots of Teams were lining it up for attacks & the Queen of the Mountains definitely did that.
The wind direction made it slightly different this year.”
That Three Up. When did that get away?
“The second QoM we were just firing attacks from the ascend & all the way to the Line (in Stamfordham).
Me & Grace (Reynolds) got away just coming into Stamfordham on the Bell Lap. Mari () bridged over to us. I knew from that point we had representation from the three big Teams so would probably stay away – so we worked well together until the base of the climb.”
Were you thinking in the break of going Solo – so saving a bit?
“Er… Yes-No Lol. I knew the onus was on me to do most of the work. I was ok with that.”
“Because of the representation of Grace & Mari, I was happy to do most of the work. I knew it would split up on the Ryals. I just rode my pace from the bottom & it split up.”
Did the Ryals suit you?
“It did today Lol. It was nice to get your hands in the air.”
In the Beaumont Trophy, Dylan Hicks (Raptor Factory Racing) came away as the victor in what was a very close contest.
Multiple breakaways were formed and then caught across the five large laps of the circuit with no rider able to pin down a lead for themselves.
The penultimate ascent of the Ryals saw the race break open with 12 riders emerging in the leading group. Attacks rained down on the final short lap, despite a short neutralised section. Hicks came into Stamfordham alone after attacking with Alex Beldon (MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK) and unleashed a ferocious sprint as a large bunch of riders closed in behind
Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli) finished in second by only a few bike lengths, while Will Truelove (MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK) rounded out the podium places.
It was a great display of team strength from Raptor, bringing them their first National Road Series win, while Max Hereward came home with the King of the Mountain title.
Speaking on his win, Hicks said:
“I’ve done a few seasons in the UK now and I haven’t quite managed to pull it off, so winning today was quite unexpected but I’m happy with it.”
Adam Howell (MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK) finished in tenth on the day but still manages to lead in the national series
Women’s Race Result
1. Lucy Lee DAS-Hutchinson
2. Grace Reynolds Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team
3. Mari Porton Handsling Alba Development Roa…
4. Madeline Cooper Spectra Racing Finished
5. Kim Baptista Spectra Racing Finished
6. Holly Ramsey Hess Cycling Team
7. Robyn Clay DAS-Hutchinson
8. Esther Wong Torelli
9. Georgia Lancaster Loughborough Lightning
10. Caitlin Dimbleby Le Col Race Team
Open Race Result
1. Dylan Hicks Raptor Factory Racing Finished
2. Tim Shoreman Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli
3. William Truelove MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK
4. William Perrett DAS Richardsons
5. Oliver Curd Primo RT
6. Oliver Hucks TAAP Kalas
7. Finn Mason Hubo Remotive CT
8. George Radcliffe X-Speed United Continental Team
9. Clay Davies Ride Revolution Coaching
10. Adam Howell MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK
