Race guide: HSBC UK | National Women's Road Series at the Curlew Cup

Race guide: HSBC UK | National Women's Road Series at the Curlew Cup

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The HSBC UK | National Women’s Road Series reaches round five this weekend as the teams head north for the Curlew Cup.

Storey Racing’s Chanel Mason is the series leader after the first four rounds with Drops topping the team standings.

About the series

HSBC UK National Women's Road Series map

The Curlew Cup is the fifth of nine races in the 2017 HSBC UK | National Women’s Road Series which runs from April until August.

Elizabeth Banks (formerly of SunSport Velo, now riding for Storey Racing) got off to the perfect start at the series opener, the Tour of the Wolds, before Wiggle High5’s Grace Garner was victorious at the Essex Giro.

Alice Barnes wins the 2017 Women's Lincoln Grand Prix, round three of the 2017 HSBC UK | National Women's Road Series

Alice Barnes (Drops) topped the podium at the Lincoln Grand Prix before Team WNT’s Katie Archibald picked up the win at the CiCLE Classic in Melton Mowbray.

The Curlew Cup in Northumberland is the second of three races in June, with the Otley Grand Prix in West Yorkshire to follow.

Next month sees the always popular two-day Alexandra Tour of the Reservoir, followed by the Newton Longville Festival of Cycling Grand Prix in Buckinghamshire.

The series concludes on Sunday 6 August with round nine, the Ryedale Grand Prix in North Yorkshire.

Ones to watch

Storey Racing’s Chanel Mason is the series leader after four rounds of consistent riding throughout the HSBC UK | National Women’s Road Series.

Current HSBC UK | National Women's Road Series leader Chanel Mason

Mason has 60 points, four clear of her nearest rivals Sian Botteley (Cycle Team OnForm) and Grace Garner (Wiggle High5) with both Mason and Botteley set to race in Northumberland.

Katie Archibald, winner last time out, will be hopeful of reaching the podium once more after some strong performances in the OVO Energy Women’s Tour - as will her teammate Eileen Roe.

Nikki Juniper in action at the 2016 Ryedale Grand Prix

Nikki Juniper’s comeback from injury continues as the 2016 champion lines up for Team Ford Ecoboost while Team Breeze have selected a strong squad one week out from the HSBC UK | National Road Championships, with the likes of Mel Lowther and Emily Nelson looking for a strong result ahead of the trip to the Isle of Man.

Start list

Course

2017 HSBC UK | National Women's Road Series - Curlew Cup

Starting at 9 am in Stamfordham, the course heads north along the B6309 through Heugh and Blackheddon Bridge before cutting west towards Kirkheaton.

The route then heads south through Hallington, passing through Ryal, Matfen and Fenwick on its way back to Stamfordham, with sprint points available on each lap. Riders will face three laps of the circuit, totalling 106km.

How to follow

  • Follow the action from the Curlew Cup on our live blog from 8.45am on Sunday for race updates, images and social media.
  • Follow @BritishCycling on Twitter for updates throughout the racing.
  • Video highlights, reports, results, images and reaction will appear on the British Cycling website.