Women’s
The first edition of the Women’s CiCLE Classic was held in 2016. This followed strong representation from the women’s cycling lobby in Britain for the opportunity for them to also experience such a unique race as that provided for the Elite and Junior men.
It has the distinction of carrying the largest single day prize list for any British domestic women’s race with £1000 going to the winner and prizes to 20th place.
From 2016 until 2021 the race was also unique in that it was sponsored entirely by an individual member of the public, who as a long time supporter of women’s racing wished to assist in developing the women’s programme. Our continuing thanks go to Peter Stanton for his generosity during the above period that made the event possible.
With a start and finish point in Melton Mowbray town centre, the race takes place on the same day as the Junior men’s race. Amongst the winners are many Olympic and World Champions and medallists
including Katie Archibald and Neah Evans. Since 2022 the race has also been privileged to have Dame Laura Kenny as its ‘Champion’ and contributor to the winner’s prize and awarded a trophy bearing her name.
The race route, as with the Junior men, takes on the most challenging aspects of the International Men’s race upon which it is based.
Each edition of the Women’s race has to date formed part of the annual British Cycling National Women’s Road race series of counting events.
The overall distance of each edition of the Women’s race is 104 kms.
Previous winners
2016 Rebecca Durrell (Drops Pro Cycling)
2017 Katie Archibald (WMR - Rotor RT)
2018 Neah Evans (Storey Racing)
2019 Emily Nelson (RST - Cycle Division RT)
2020 Cancelled owing to COVID restrictions.
2021 Abi Smith (Team Breeze)
2022 Josie Nelson (Coop - Hitec Products)
2023 Jessica Finney (AWOL O’Shea)
2024 Eluned King (Lifeplus - Wahoo)