Curlew & Beaumont In New Rapha Super-League

The Cyclone Festival of Cycling’s flagship races, the Curlew Cup and Beaumont Trophy, have been included in the newly launched Rapha Super-League.

London-based cycling brand Rapha has launched its Super-League to attract new audiences to Britain’s domestic bike racing scene.

The Rapha Super-League is British road racing’s new points competition, discovering the best bike racers in the land. A league showcasing the energy and speed of elite British racing, it will start with the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix in May through to the Wentworth Woodhouse Grand Prix in August – 16 of the country’s most exciting races.

Rapha’s UK & EU Community Marketing Manager Jess Morgan said: “The Rapha Super-League connects the best races in Britain together into one competition and will tell the stories of the best riders. Great racing has always happened in the UK – not many people realise that you can see the local heavy hitters and future stars of the sport battling it out in your backyard. We want to make it easier to follow and understand, bringing the magic of the sport to more fans.”

Inspired by the Super-Prestige Pernod from the 20th century – a points classification that ran across the season to recognise the best multi-disciplinary rider in Europe – the Super-League rewards those with the most points collected over the year’s racing calendar.

The Rapha Super-League calendar has been designed to have a balance of geographical locations and encompass a variety of road disciplines and parcours including road races, crits and a stage race. Each event represents what Rapha believes makes a great race, including prestige, grit, innovation and atmosphere.
Fans will be able to follow the Super-League on social media at @rapha_uk or via The British Continental and Monument Cycling – leading news outlets for domestic bike racing. Rapha’s ‘Broom Wagon’ will also be parked up at races throughout the season, serving coffee, Lucky Saint beer, cowbells and more, acting as a magnet for fans of the sport.

The Rapha Super League is supported by British Cycling. The concept was created in part as a result of the work done by the British Cycling Elite Road Task Force. Rapha aims to support British Cycling with the Elite Road Task Force recommendations – specifically on dynamic race coverage and delivering new audiences and engagement with the sport.

The Super-League commits fully to gender parity, with parallel competitions and equal recognition for men and women. The season’s climax will be celebrated at the Super-League Awards Party in London, honouring winners with trophies, prize money, and the distinguished title of Rapha’s best all-rounder.

Find out more about the Rapha Super-League on the Rapha website and on the British Continental website.

Rapha Super-League Calendar

11 May: Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix – LINCOLNSHIRE
14-15 June: Ronde Van Wymeswold – NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
21 Jun: VIA Criterium – LONDON
22 June: Tour of The Reservoir – COUNTY DURHAM
27 June: Lloyds National Crit Champs – CEREDIGION
29 June: Lloyds National Road Champs – CEREDIGION
2 July: LOGCO Otley Cycle Races – WEST YORKSHIRE
4 July: Ilkley Cycle Races – WEST YORKSHIRE
9 July: CANYON Guildford Town Centre Races – SURREY
16 July: Sheffield Grand Prix – SOUTH YORKSHIRE
22 July: Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix – LANCASHIRE
25 July: Dawlish Grand Prix – DEVON
27 July: Witheridge Grand Prix – DEVON
17 August: Curlew Cup & Beaumont Trophy – NORTHUMBERLAND
24 August: Cambridge Criterium – CAMBRIDGESHIRE
31 August: Wentworth Woodhouse Grand