The Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix

“The Lincoln GP has so much history in the UK, over 60 years of history, so for Rapha to be sponsoring the event for the next two years is fantastic news. The course has everything that the continental Classics have: flatlands where the race is lined out, the famous cobbled climb of Michaelgate and crowds that are always some of the largest in the country.”

“It’s a local race for me as I only live around forty miles away in Rotherham. I went to watch the race as a kid and then did the junior event back in 1993 when I was part of the GB track squad. That was an amazing experience with the cobbled climb each lap and massive crowds. It was also one of the last races my grandfather watched before he passed away in 1995.”

“Fast forward to 2005 and my brother Russ and I raced to 1-2 finish and stood on the podium together in front of all our family and friends. Then came 2007 when I was racing with the Rapha Condor team. I’d had a few wins in the early season UK Premier Calendar races but the Lincoln was the big one. The cobbled climb was packed with shouts of ‘Deano’ and ‘Russ’ and the weather was terrible, but thinking of my grandad the final time up the climb made me push hard to the line. That’s when the emotions took over. To win the Lincoln GP in front of my family and friends was an amazing experience.”

– Dean Downing, 2007 champion

“I have amazing memories of racing the Lincoln GP. I finished on the podium at my first national championships there and went on to win the Lincoln GP itself twice. It is such an iconic race with amazing crowds racing up Michaelgate. It would’ve been such a shame to lose, so I’m glad it will still go ahead.”

– Alice Barnes, 2016 and 2017 champion

“The Lincoln GP is the Flanders of the British calendar, the one race that carries the history and prestige that makes every rider on the start line hungry to win. I was lucky enough to race it in 2013 and again at the Nationals in 2015 and the atmosphere on the Michaelgate climb is always electric. It has a real Continental, European kind of feel to it compared to some of the other British races.”

– Pete Kennaugh, 2015 British champion