The National Road Series returns this weekend with the jewel in the crown of domestic one-day races – the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix.
Steeped in British road racing folklore, the race features a spectator-friendly circuit that weaves through historic Lincoln, with the challenging cobbled climb of Michaelgate at its core. Cherished by riders, teams, and fans alike, the race is a treasured part of the racing calendar.
History
Since its debut in 1956, the Lincoln Grand Prix has become a highlight in the UK cycling calendar, with a women’s race added in 2015. The event has a rich heritage, with past winners including British cycling luminaries like Paul Curran, Russell Downing and Lizzie Deignan.
Last year the winners were Robyn Clay (then of Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee, now at DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) and Saint Piran’s Alex Richardson, who won the race for a second time.
The course
The course is a 12.9 km circuit around Lincoln, starting and ending in the city centre. The men’s race includes 13 laps, and the women’s race eight laps, providing numerous opportunities for spectators to engage with the unfolding drama.
The highlight of the circuit is Michaelgate, a steep 200m cobbled climb with gradients peaking at over 20%. The narrow climb leads the riders up to the finish in Castle Square. The fast run-in to the bottom of the Michaelgate is as important as the climb itself. Riders fight to be at the front, wary of getting caught out behind a crash or mechanical. Get left behind here and it could be race over.
The series so far
The women’s series has witnessed two rounds so far. In March, El King clinched the ANEXO CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic crown for Lifeplus Wahoo, prevailing in a close sprint ahead of Eilidh Shaw (Alba Road Development Team). Last month junior sensation Cat Ferguson (Shibden Apex RT) bounced back from a penultimate lap crash and bike change to take a first National Road Series victory in the inaugural East Cleveland Classic, with Shaw once again taking second. Shaw now heads the individual series standings, with her team, Alba, leading the team standings.
The open series is just one round old so far, when Saint Piran’s Rowan Baker took a stunning solo victory at the East Cleveland Classic, with Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) and Baker’s teammate James McKay rounding out the podium. Baker therefore leads the individual standings, with Saint Piran in charge of the team rankings. Baker will be absent at Lincoln, leaving Shoreman and McKay as the best positioned riders to move into the Series lead post-race.
Contenders
In the women’s race, Ferguson leads a big cast of favourites. Her form has been sensational so far this season, winning two Nations Cup stage races along the way. She hasn’t finished lower than second place on the road in 2024 and her punchy style is perfectly suited to the course in Lincoln. She will face stiff competition from seasoned riders like former National Road Series winner Monica Greenwood (Team Coop Repsol), Dutch classics specialist Mayo Van’t Geloof (HESS Cycling Team) and DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK’s South African Tiffany Keep.
Ferguson’s rivals also include other up-and-coming talents, including her own teammate Imogen Wolff (winner of the Trofeo Binda Juniors Nations Cup race this year), National Road Series leader Shaw, ANEXO CAMS CiCLE Classic victor El King, Morven Yeoman of DAS-Hutchinson-Brother and CANYON//SRAM Generation's Awen Roberts. Reigning champion Robyn Clay misses the race of breaking her collarbone in Belgium last week.
The open race will see Saint Piran looking to defend their dominant performance from last year, when they took a 1-2-3. They are spearheaded by last year’s winner, Alex Richardson, who will be aiming for his hattrick at Lincoln. With James McKay (fourth last year), puncheur Dylan Westley, and former mountain biker Huw Buck Jones also in their line-up, Saint Piran boast impressive options.
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli should offer strong competition, particularly in the form of Scot Tim Shoreman, who came closest to disrupting Saint Piran’s dominance at the East Cleveland Classic. Other strong contenders include ProTeam rider Tom Portsmouth (Bingoal WB), who thrives in Belgian-style races, Damien Clayton (Le Col RT), the most consistent performer on the domestic circuit this season, and Yorkshireman Ollie Rees (Sabgal-Anicolor). Former WorldTour pro Matt Holmes is a tantalising wildcard option, using Lincoln as his first race as comes out of retirement, with his sights set on a return to the pro ranks.
Timings
The women’s race begins with a neutralised start at 9.00 and has an estimated finish time of 12.00. The open race follows at 13.00, with an approximate finish of 16.45.
You can follow the race on British Cycling’s social media channels.
For a more in-depth preview, head to The British Continental website.
