British Cycling West Midlands has unveiled the region’s calendar of weekend road racing for 2022, lasting from mid-March to mid-September. Dates are those that have been confirmed with organisers even if in some cases the races are yet to open for entries on the British Cycling website.
New to the calendar are a 3-day stage race sponsored by the BikeStow company and the 80-mile Worcester Classic on a challenging course in the Malvern Hills – which will be part of the new British Cycling under-23 men’s series. Long-standing organisers Holohan Coaching RT have devised a new, challenging course for their race near Telford, and the popular kermesse-style races at Birmingham Business Park return.
There are nine rounds of the men’s West Midlands road race league, and the West Midlands Women’s Road Race Series returns for a second year with six rounds. As in 2021, the Women’s series is open to all riders who enter the counting races, and is not limited to riders from the region. In addition, the popular Shropshire and South Staffordshire Cycling Clubs handicap RR League will be run on Thursday evenings from early May.
“I would like to thank all the organisers and their clubs for making the effort to run the races, and for getting their dates in early, and also to the accredited marshals, NEG and officials who put in a sterling effort to get racing going again last year,” said William Fotheringham, the road racing lead on British Cycling’s West Midlands board.
“This is a substantial increase in the calendar compared to 2019, the last full year of racing in the region, and we are proud that we can now offer a wide range of races to suit all abilities. Publishing the calendar now will enable riders and volunteers to plan their years.”
“Running all these races will require a large volunteer effort, and I would encourage any clubs or riders who are planning to compete, and who are not already involved either in organising or volunteering to come forward and find out what they or a parent or partner can do to support us. Just one day’s help at one race can make a difference.”
March 13
Evesham Vale RR
E/1/2/3, 62.5 miles, Inkberrow Circuit. Enter here: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/251985/Evesham-Vale-Road-Race
March 20
Halesowen A & CC Academy RR
2/3/4, 50 miles, Aston on Clun circuit, Round one of West Midlands RR League. Enter here: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/253301/Halesowen-Academy-Handicap-road-race
April 3
Two Counties Road Race
3+4, 56 miles, Halfpenny Green/Bobbington circuit. Enter here:
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/255639/WWCC-Two-Counties-Road-Race
April 10
Birmingham Business Park Races
All categories. Women’s race is Round one of West Midlands Women’s RR Series. Enter here:
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/254786/Birmingham-Business-Park-Races-1-2022
April 17
Hell of the North Runway
2/3/4 men, E123 women, U16 boys and girls. Men’s race is round two of West Midlands RR League; women’s race is Round two of West Midlands Women’s RR Series. Enter here:
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/259601/RAF-Cosford—Hell-of-the-North-Runway
May 1
Phil Ward Memorial Road Race
2/3/4, 60 miles, Leighton circuit. Round three of West Midlands RR League.
May 12
Shrops and South Staffs CC League round one
All categories handicap race, Knighton.
League continues on Thursday evenings until July 7. More info via League website: http://www.sssccrrl.co.uk
May 15
Halesowen A & CC Road Races
2/3/4 Men am, E/1/2/3 Women pm, 60 miles, Astley circuit, enter here. Men’s race is round four of West Midlands RR League; women’s race is part of the British Team Cup, and round three of West Midlands Women’s RR Series. Enter here https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/250695/Halesowen-ACC-Mens-and-Womens-Road-Races
May 22
ProVision/VeloRunner RR
2/3/4, 60 miles, Swynnerton circuit. Round five of West Midlands RR League. Enter here:
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/256911/Pro-Vision—Velo-Runner-RR-
May 29
Holohan Coaching RR
2/3/4, 60 miles, Leighton 8 circuit. Round six of West Midlands RR League.
Enter here: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/256432/Holohan-Coaching-Road-Race
June 12
Regional Road Race Championships
E/1/2/3 men+ second year male juniors am, Minsterley circuit. Round seven of West Midlands RR League.
June 24-26
BikeStow 3-Day
2/3/4, four stages, enter here. https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/252471/BikeStow-3-Day
July 3
Paramount Summer Road Race
3+4, 50 miles, Leighton circuit.
July 10
Solihull CC Road Races
2/3/4 men 60 miles am; E/1/2/3 women 60 miles pm, Inkberrow circuit. Men’s race is round eight of West Midlands RR League; Women’s race is part of the British Team Cup and West Midlands Women’s RR Series.
July 17
Severn Valley Road Race
details TBD
July 24
Andy Turner Performance Coaching/Nick Clayton Memorial Road Race
2/3/4, 60 miles, Welland Circuit. Final round of the West Midlands RR league.
July 31
Worcester Classic
E/1/2/3, 80 miles, Welland Circuit. Round four of British Cycling under-23 men’s series.
August 14
Birmingham Business Park Races
All categories. Women’s race is part of West Midlands Women’s RR Series.
August 21
Royal Leamington Spa RR
3 + 4, 50 miles, Friz Hill Circuit.
September 4
Warwick Town Centre Races
All categories.
September 11
Birmingham Business Park Races
All categories. Women’s race is final round of West Midlands Women’s RR Series.
September 18
Velo Viroconium Road Race
2/3/4, 60 miles, Leighton circuit.