The 2021 men’s and women’s Tour Series titles will be decided in Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway Today, Thursday in what promises to be a spectacular ending to the event’s long-awaited return.
Remarkably, there are possibilities and permutations aplenty: most notably, two new champions could be crowned, while the series’ 2019 overall winners could also retain their titles.
A 1.4-kilometre circuit set around Market Hill in the southern Scottish town is the setting for what promises to be an unforgettable night of action; the elite racing gets underway at 6pm with the women’s round, followed by the men’s event at 7:30pm.
Owing to current COVID-19 guidelines in Scotland, the Castle Douglas round is ticketed (free of charge) and limited to 3,500 spectators. Registrations are now open and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Children under the age of 12 do not require tickets. To secure your FREE tickets for this event, click here.
Given the close nature of both men’s and women’s series – three points separate the top three teams in the former, four in the latter – we’ve looked at the various scenarios that could play out in Castle Douglas on Thursday evening.
Men’s title permutations
Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling
Win and they’re champions
Second and they’re champions
Third and they’re champions provided Crimson Orientation Marketing RT do not win
As men’s series leaders, Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling will wear the Freewheel.co.uk yellow jerseys in Castle Douglas.
Crimson Orientation Marketing RT
Win and they’re champions provided Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling place third or below
Second and they’re champions provided Canyon dhb SunGod do not to win and Ribble place fifth or below
Third and they’re champions provided Canyon dhb SunGod do not finish in the top two and Ribble place sixth or below
Canyon dhb SunGod
Win and they’re champions provided Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling place fourth or below
Second and they’re champions provided Crimson Orientation Marketing RT do not win and Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling place fifth or below
Should Canyon dhb SunGod win the overall title, they would become the first men’s team to win three-consecutive Tour Series championships.
Photo: Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling riders Cameron Jeffers and Matt Gibson in the Freewheel.co.uk leaders’ jerseys during Tuesday’s round in Sunderland
Women’s title permutations
Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen
Win and they’re champions
Second and they’re champions provided CAMS-Basso Bikes do not win. This scenario would mean that they would become the first team in series history to win the title having not claimed a round victory.
Third and they’re champions provided CAMS-Basso Bikes do not finish in the top two
As women’s series leaders, Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen will wear the Freewheel.co.uk yellow jerseys in Castle Douglas.
CAMS – Basso Bikes
Win and they’re champions
Second and they’re champions provided Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen do not win
Third and they’re champions provided Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen do not finish in the top two
ŠKODA DSI Academy
Win and they’re champions provided CAMS – Basso Bikes place fourth or below and Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen place fifth or below
Second and they’re champions provided CAMS – Basso Bikes place sixth or below and Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen place seventh or below
Third and they’re champions provided CAMS – Basso Bikes place seventh or below and Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen place eighth or below
Standings after round two
Click here for full results from the women’s races in Sunderland.
Click here for full results from the men’s races in Sunderland.
Television coverage
Highlights of the Castle Douglas races are on ITV4 at 7pm on Friday 13 August with a repeat at 6:55am on Saturday 14 August. They will also be available for 30 days via the ITV Hub.
One partner. No competitors. Visible across local sport.
