Event to watch: Cycling – The Curlew Cup

With previous champions including Dame Sarah Storey, Hannah Barnes and Katie Archibald, the crowds can expect a top quality field; and this year, at the request of the women’s cycling teams, the event has been made tougher and even more demanding.

Based around the villages of Stamfordham (start/finish) and Matfen in Northumberland,  competitors will complete 3 laps of the 22.3ml circuit and a total distance of 66mls (106kms) including the famous Ryals (hill) each time – the perfect place to watch the action.

The event is well placed on the calendar, not just as the perfect training in the build-up to Rio but also the week before the National Championships. Plus with a great prize purse up for grabs, you can expect the racing to be highly competitive.

If you fancy making a weekend of it, the Curlew Cup is part of the Cyclone festival of cycling which has mass participation events for all levels on the Saturday and the mens Beaumont Cup after the women’s event on Sunday – sounds like a great weekend to us!

Factfile

Date: 18th/19th June – Curlew Cup on 19th
Location: Stamfordham, Northumberland
Website: www.cyclonecycling.com

Danielle Sellwood, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine