Northumberland plays host to a double header of racing this weekend with the opening stage of the 2018 HSBC UK | Grand Prix Series and the third round of the 2018 HSBC UK | National Women’s Road Series at the Tour of the Reservoir.
About the HSBC UK | Grand Prix Series
The Grand Prix Series is a five-part race series taking place throughout June, July and August. The series kicks off with the two-day race at the Tour of the Reservoir, before the following one-day events in Bristol, Stockton, Leicester and ending in Ryedale on 26 August.
About the HSBC UK | National Women’s Road Series
The National Women’s Road Series consists of seven rounds of racing, with the Tour of the Reservoir being the third. Neah Evans of Team Storey Racing secured victory in the previous round at the CiCLE Classic – overhauling Sophie Wright in the final 500m.
This weekend at the Tour of the Reservoir represents the only two-day race in the calendar, with the final four stages raced over one day – ending with Ryedale Grand Prix in August.
The course
Both the men and women start at Edmundbyers on both days of the Tour. The first day consists of less mileage, with the women’s race at 65.5 miles and the men’s race 78.9 miles. The final day includes extra circuits of the route, increasing the mileage to 75.7 miles and 102.7 miles respectively.
Ones to watch
The 2017 Grand Prix Series winner Jonathan McEvoy has been in excellent form this year, securing the overall victory in the HSBC UK | Spring Cup Series that concluded in May.
In the National Women’s Road Series, Team Storey Racing boast a substantial lead in the overall team standings after two rounds and will field a team of eight riders, including overall individual contender Rebecca Durrell.
Current series leader Nicola Juniper races for Team NJC – Biemme – Echelon and will look to keep out in front of a close field in the overall rankings at the end of this weekend’s racing.
With one eye on the National Road Championships taking place in Northumberland, some high-profile riders are missing from this weekend’s event. However, with all to play for in both series, expect lots of high quality racing over the two days of competition at the Tour of the Reservoir.
How to follow
- Follow the action from both the HSBC UK | National Women’s Road Series and the HSBC UK | Spring Cup Series on our live blog from 8.45am on Sunday for race updates, images and social media.
- Follow @BritishCycling on Twitter for updates from both events throughout the racing.
- Video highlights, reports, results, images and reaction will appear on the British Cycling website.
