Round 1: Otley – Fast, Flat, and Furious

Otley is always a wild opener. Imagine 120 riders crammed onto a flat, high-speed circuit, all fighting for space and eager to make their mark. The race feels like riding inside a washing machine—one lap you're on the front, the next you're shuffled to the back, barely hanging on.

The course itself isn’t overly technical, but because it’s relatively flat and raced at full gas from the start, the bunch rarely splits which is what makes it so hard. There is nothing to split the group and so you’re constantly fighting for position and it’s just as mentally tiring as it is physical.

This year, the pace was relentless. Attacks were quickly shut down, and it became clear early on that saving energy was key—especially with Round 2 in Ilkley just 48 hours later and a much anticipated sprint finish was on the cards. My focus shifted to riding safely and staying upright, which wasn’t easy with multiple crashes happening around me. Thankfully, I made it to the line in one piece.

Round 2: Ilkley – Brutal by Design

If Otley is chaotic, Ilkley is simply brutal. There’s no better word for it. Each lap includes a 200-metre climb averaging over 10%, and while it doesn’t sound like much on paper, the repetition is what breaks you. Try pushing out 800 watts lap after lap and see how long you last.

Unlike Otley, Ilkley doesn’t allow for bunch racing. The peloton explodes within the first 10 minutes, and before you know it, you’re left with just 10–15 riders in your group. Gaps form quickly—not from attacks off the front, but from riders being dropped out the back in a whittling down process where only the strongest survive. 

If I had one tip for racing a crit like Ilkley, it’s this: positioning is everything. Sit too far back and you’ll get caught behind the splits, never to see the front again. So stay sharp and focused on what is happening at the front. That was my focus this time around, and it paid off—I finished 15th. Not a groundbreaking result, but a solid step up from Otley.

Round 3: Guildford – Technical and Tactical

One of the best things about the UK crit scene is the variety of town centre circuits on the calendar, and Guildford is a true classic which has quickly become my favourite. It’s one of the most technical races of the year, featuring a dead-stop 180-degree turn, a tricky left-hander with a curb you have to bunny-hop, and a cobbled uphill sprint finish. In short, it’s chaos—but the good kind.

Here, positioning still matters, but even more important is racing with your head. Knowing where riders are around you and being able to anticipate their movements isn’t just about performance—it’s about survival. I saw countless riders come into corners too hot, only to slam on the brakes mid-turn and lose all momentum. Reading the race and maintaining flow through corners can make a huge difference in saving energy and moving up through the bunch.

As the sun set and the lap board came out, the roar from the crowd was electric and is one of the reasons I love this circuit racing so much. I knew I had the legs for a result. Unfortunately, I misjudged my positioning in the final few corners and had to settle for 5th. Bittersweet, especially since I’ve podiumed here before and know the course suits me well.

My Bike Setup for the UK National Crit Series

When it comes to crit racing, equipment matters — and in the UK National Crit Series, where courses are fast, technical, and unpredictable, having the right setup can make all the difference.

My frameset of choice is the Ribble Ultra Race, built from MT65 carbon fibre to strike the perfect balance between aerodynamics, stiffness, and lightweight efficiency. The UK crit scene is incredibly varied — from the high-speed circuit of Otley to the brutal gradients of Ilkley — so having a bike that excels across all types of courses is essential. The Ultra Race delivers on that, every time.

What I love most about this bike is how well-rounded it feels. Through corners, it gives you bucketloads of confidence to commit, while the frame's responsive nature means you’re back up to speed in an instant on the exit. It’s genuinely hard to wrap your head around how versatile this bike is and I think it might just be the perfect bike for UK racing. 

When it comes to the best bike setup for crits, your wheelset is just as important as your frame. You want something that’s aerodynamic on the straights but still light and stiff enough for punchy climbs and fast accelerations. For me, that’s the Hunt SUB50 Limitless Aero Disc wheels. Hunt’s in-house engineering team built them with one goal: to create the fastest wheels without compromise. The result? Quite simply the most well-rounded wheels I’ve ever ridden.

As soon as you put them on, you feel the difference. They fly on the flat thanks to their aero profile, while the cornering stability they offer gives you serious confidence in tight, technical turns. On the climbs, they’re punchy, stiff, and light — delivering a ride that feels smooth, fast, and dialled in for every kind of crit course.

The frame and wheel combo is by far the best I have ridden and is pure perfection for the demands of the UK racing scene. 

For the finer details I am running a Shimano Ultegra 12 speed DI2 groupset, 32cm bars with a 140mm stem and also a 3d Printed saddle. The Hunt SUB50s have specifically been designed to be used with 28 to 30mm tyres and personally I love the feel of 30mm tyres and how well they absorb the road buzz, especially when racing at high speeds. For that reason I am currently running the Pirelli P Zero Race tyres and cannot fault them at all. 

If you’re looking to get into some road racing this summer or just looking to upgrade your setup for some extra gains then I couldn’t recommend the equipment I have been using anymore! 

Why the UK Crit Scene is So Special

Racing the UK National Crit Series is a rollercoaster — one that demands focus, fitness, and the perfect bike setup. From the high-speed chaos of Otley to the leg-breaking climb in Ilkley and the technical madness of Guildford, each round throws something different at you. That’s what makes it so addictive and what I love so much. It’s not just about the results — it’s about learning, adapting, and showing up ready to go again, race after race. The atmosphere, the crowds, the floodlit town centre circuits… it all adds up to an experience that’s as rewarding as it is brutal. Whether you're a seasoned racer or just getting started, there’s nothing quite like crit season in the UK.