__NOTOC__ The Stafford GP is a

criterium A criterium, or crit, is a bike race consisting of several laps around a closed circuit, the length of each lap or circuit ranging from about 400 m to 10,000 m. Overview Race length can be determined by a number of laps or total time, ...

cycle race held in the town of Stafford owned and organised by Leadout Cycling Ltd under the technical regulations of

British Cycling British Cycling (formerly the British Cycling Federation) is the main national sport governing body, governing body for cycle sport in United Kingdom, Great Britain. It administers most competitive cycling in Great Britain, the Channel Islands a ...

. Since 2010 it has been part of British Cycling’s Elite Circuit Race Series.

History

The origins of today’s Stafford GP go back to the Stafford Town Centre Races held in the 1980s. Like today, criteriums were an important part of professional cycling. Whilst not part of the televised Kelloggs, the races attracted a star-studded field and huge crowds. Five editions were held during the 1980s. The first edition of the race was won by Roger Willett from Finchfield, who later rode for the Great Britain senior team. The undisputed king of the Stafford Town Centre Races was

Steve Joughin Steve Joughin (born 23 June 1959) is a former professional Manx road racing cyclist. He was the first Manxman ever win the British professional road race title. He is arguably one of the best UK riders of his generation, riding in the 1980s. ...

. As a local rider who settled in Stoke-on-Trent at the start of his professional career and riding for local sponsors Moducel. Joughin was undefeated in the 3 editions of the race in which he competed. The last Stafford Town Centre race took place in 1987 and was won by Mark Walsham.

Today

A criterium race was revived in Stafford in 2010 by Leadout Cycling Ltd.Leadout Cycling Ltd
/ref> The Stafford GP has been part of the British Cycling Elite Circuit Race Series, a series of races held usually in mid week across towns in England. Since its reincarnation there have been 8 editions of the race. The 2010 race was won by Olympic champion

Ed Clancy Edward Franklin Clancy (born 12 March 1985) is a British former professional Track cycling, track and road bicycle racer, who competed between 2004 and 2021. During his career, Clancy won four medals (three gold, one bronze) at the Summer Olym ...

. The 2011 edition was won by Australian Dean Windsor. The 2012 saw Graham Briggs take the victory - one of his 5 victories on the way to the 2012 Elite Circuit Race Series title. In 2013 the race became part of the Staffordshire Cycling Festival. The last time the race took place in Stafford was 2018.

2018

# Rory Townsend Canyon Eisberg # Charles Page Canyon Eisberg # Andrew Tennant Canyon Eisberg

2017

Not held

2016

# Albert Torres (Raleigh GAC) #

Felix English Felix English (born 11 October 1992) is a professional cyclist from Brighton who rides for Ireland. English rides on the road and on the track. As a junior, he won five British national titles until he decided in 2010 to represent Ireland, the ...

(Madison Genesis) #

Sebastian Mora Vedri Sebastian may refer to: People and fictional characters * Sebastian (name), including a list of persons and fictional characters with the name * Saint Sebastian, a Christian saint martyred in the 3rd century * Sebastian of Portugal (1554–1578 ...

(Raleigh GAC)

2015

Jonathan Mould Jonathan "Jon" Mould (born 4 April 1991) is a Welsh racing cyclist from Newport. Mould is a member of British Cycling's Olympic Academy Programme which he joined in 2010. Mould started bike racing at the age of 14 with Newport Velo Cycling C ...

One Pro Cycling #

Adam Blythe Adam Michael Blythe (born 1 October 1989) is an English former professional road and track racing cyclist, who competed professionally between 2010 and 2019 for the , , , , and teams. Blythe began racing at a young age and went on to become ...

Orica Greenedge #

Morgan Kneisky Morgan Kneisky (born 31 August 1987) is a French former track and road racing cyclist, who rode professionally between 2010 and 2020 for the , , and squads. Kneisky is a four-time UCI Track Cycling World Championships gold medallist, winning gol ...

Raleigh GAC

2014

# Luke Grivell-Mellor (GBR) Rapha Condor JLT 00:53:57 # Edward Clancy MBE (GBR) Rapha Condor JLT 00:00:01 #

Chris Opie Christopher Ryan Opie (born 22 July 1987) is a British cyclist and a contributor to the Global Cycling Network. Career Born in Truro, Cornwall, Opie grew up on a small beef and dairy farm. He attended Kea Primary and Penair Secondary Schools i ...

Rapha (GBR) Condor JLT 00:00:17

2013

Tom Scully Tom Scully (born 15 May 1991) is a former professional Australian rules footballer. He played for the Melbourne Football Club, Greater Western Sydney Giants, and Hawthorn Football Club. A star midfielder at junior level, Scully was originally s ...

(NZL)

Team Raleigh Vitus Pro Cycling Team p/b Brother UK () is a British UCI Continental cycling team. From 2010 to 2017, the team was sponsored by the Raleigh Bicycle Company, before Vitus took over the naming rights in 2018. Team history Founded in 2010 Team R ...

# Graham Briggs (GBR) Team Raleigh # George Atkins (GBR) 100%ME

2012

# Graham Briggs (GBR) Team Raleigh-GAC # Rico Rogers (NZL) Node4-Giordana # Matt Cronshaw (GBR) Node4-Giordana

2011

# Dean Windsor (AUS) Rapha Condor - Sharp # Dean Downing (GBR) Rapha Condor - Sharp # Simon Gaywood (GBR) Corley Cycles

2010

(GBR) Motorpoint # Ian Wilkinson (GBR) Endura # Dean Downing (GBR) Rapha Condor - Sharp

External links

Stafford GP Home Page

British Cycling Elite Circuit Series

References

{{Reflist Cycle racing in the United Kingdom Cycle races in England Men's road bicycle races Recurring sporting events established in 1982 1982 establishments in England