British Cycling is pleased to announce today the route details for this year’s British National Road Championships in Dumfries and Galloway, which will take place from 23-26 June, bringing the time-trial, circuit race and road race championships to Scotland for the first time since 2013.
Having previously hosted many rounds of both the Tour of Britain and Tour Series, Dumfries and Galloway has a proud track record of hosting major cycling events, and with the support of EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the region will now host the national championships for the first time.
In total 10 coveted national champion’s jerseys will be awarded across the three days of racing, with the time-trials taking place on the historic Crichton Estate, the circuit races centred on the familiar streets of Kirkcudbright, and the road races starting and finishing in the picturesque Castle Douglas.
The time-trials kick off the championships on Thursday 23 June, starting and finishing at Crichton Estate in Dumfries. The under-23 women, under-23 men and elite women will set a time over one lap of the route, totalling 22.1km, while the elite men will complete two laps to make 44.2km.
The route includes 141ft of climbing for each loop to make a fast course, passing the historic Caerlaverock Castle and Nature Reserve en route.
The circuit races will take place on Friday 24 June on a technical 1km route around the historic harbour town of Kirkcudbright. Both the men’s and women’s races will be contested over one hour plus five laps, with the circuit passing the 16th century fortress MacLellan's Castle.
The road races conclude this year’s championships on Sunday 26 June, starting and finishing in Castle Douglas, which successfully hosted a round of the Tour Series in 2021 and the finish of the first stage of the Tour of Britain in 2016.
Both the men’s and women’s races will be centred on two loops, the longer route being 22.9km and the shorter 13.7km, passing through Castle Douglas each time. The men’s race will be contested over 201.2km with four laps of the longer route followed by eight of the shorter, including 2,468ft of climbing on the challenging terrain. The women’s race of 128km is made up of two laps of the longer loop followed by six laps of the shorter route, and 1,626ft of climbing.
British Cycling CEO, Brian Facer, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be taking the British National Road Championships to Dumfries and Galloway, with three exciting routes on some of the most picturesque roads in Scotland.
“Last year in Lincoln we saw the really positive impacts of bringing together the time trials, circuit races and road races into one weekend. It will be fantastic to give cycling fans in Scotland the opportunity to see outstanding racing on their doorstep a year out from the UCI Cycling World Championships, and to encourage fans from across the country to travel and enjoy the area’s hospitality.
“I can’t wait to see thousands of fans lining the roads to cheer on the country’s best road riders and stars of tomorrow, as they battle it out for the honour of being crowned national champion.
“We’re incredibly thankful for the support of Dumfries and Galloway Council and EventScotland to put on this brilliant event and I’m sure we’ll be treated to some incredible racing one again at this year’s championships.”
A Dumfries and Galloway Council spokesperson said: “Competitors, technical staff and cycling fans will receive a warm welcome in the region and enjoy our picturesque towns and villages. The Council is serious about supporting cycling in our corner of South West Scotland, and we have some of the best mountain-biking in the world here in Dumfries and Galloway. Cyclists also enjoy our quiet unspoilt roads and pristine environment. The stage is set for a very memorable British National Road Championships in 2022.”
VisitScotland’s Director of Events, Paul Bush OBE, said: “EventScotland is delighted to be supporting the 2022 British National Road Championships. The region will provide the perfect stage for three thrilling days of racing, with the routes showcase some of the area’s many outstanding locations and attractions including Caerlaverock Castle, Kirkcudbright and Castle Douglas.
“We look forward to welcoming both riders and spectators to the championships, which is part of an exciting calendar of cycling event taking place this year across as the country builds towards the first-ever UCI Cycling World Championships in 2023.”
Event timings:
Time-trials
- 10:00 – Under-23 men
- 10:50 – Under-23 women
- 13:45 – Elite men
- 17:15 – Elite women
Circuit races
- 17:00 – Women
- 19:00 – Men
Road races
- 09:00 – Women
- 13:30 – Men
