Local drivers and organizers believe the Lloyds Bank National Road and Track Series race in the South West of England will provide a long overdue opportunity to showcase an “under-represented” region in top-level racing in the country.
British Cycling announced last week that the region will host a round of two races next summer, as well as regular fixtures at domestic events such as the Lincoln and Lancaster Grand Prix. The match is likely to be held in Devon.
The move represents the national governing body’s implementation of recommendations from a roads working group chaired by Ed Clancy earlier this year. The organization has made it clear that bringing more elite-level racing to the south of the country will be a key driver in helping to revive the struggling British cycling scene.
Local rider and former WorldTour pro Harrison Wood is one of several riders from the South West excited to see his home roads finally get a chance to shine. Wood, who grew up in Torquay, Devon, said he hoped this was just the start and that more high-profile races would come to the area, particularly British Cycling’s two new flagship events.
Le Col founder and former professional player Yanto Barker also recently said Cycling Weekly There is one particular area of Devon that is perfect for cycling in the UK.
“I saw there was a South West round game on the plans for the National Series,” Wood said. “If I get back home, I might end up being a part of that, which would be great.”
The Tour of Britain has occasionally visited Devon and Cornwall in recent years, but Wood hopes British Cycling will try to bring the men’s and women’s national tours back to the area more regularly as they are organized within the national governing body .
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“Hopefully the Tour of Britain will come to the South West next year too,” Wood added. “Then why not, I can try and go for the win or whatever, do something like that and go for the overall. I think it’s a race that really suits me and who I am as a driver.
“I think I’ve only actually played once or twice in England since 2017. I’ve only played in two national championships and one local tournament when I was at home in 2019. But sadly that was never the case The real thing is that the racing opportunities in the UK are very attractive to me these days.”
Toquay native Wood is eyeing next July’s event
(Image source: Getty Images)
The former Cofidis rider said he was impressed by the spectacle of this year’s men’s Tour of Britain and the shine it provided for the likes of British pros Joe Blackmore, Stevie Williams and Oscar Unley excited about the opportunity.
Wood will race the Sabgal-Anicolor at continental level in 2025 and explained that he believes domestic racing has suddenly become more important for British riders if they have fallen from cycling’s higher echelons but want to get back on track .
British Cycling South West regional committee member Charlie Revell said he was delighted to see a year of hard work paying off with elite-level events for the region.
Revell, who is also a member of the Southwest Road Race Working Group, told us Cycling Weekly Strong support from local stakeholders helped put this date on the calendar.
“The South West Road Racing Working Group is delighted to be partnering with British Cycling to deliver the double-header race weekend,” Revell said. “The national series gives us the opportunity to showcase areas that are under-represented in showcase races.”
“After almost a year of work, the working group and the South West Council have worked hard to find a venue that will bring our best racers to our best roads,” he added.
“Local Alan Jones and Dawlish Council have been instrumental in helping us co-host this weekend of summer racing. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the area for a busy weekend of racing.”
