The B-side: a closer look at National B road racing
The road racing season may have begun in Europe, but here in the UK, the first sniff of UCI road racing won’t happen until the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic on 24 April. Thankfully, national-level road racing will begin soon with the first National B road race of the year: the Perfs Pedal. In anticipation of this landmark, here is a quick look at the route, the race history, the startlist and the contenders.
What is it?
The Perfs Pedal road race is a ‘National B‘ road race promoted by VC St Raphael. Taking place near Portsmouth in the south of England, it is the traditional opener to the domestic road racing season. This will be the first time the race has run since 2019. An important early-season marker of fitness, it normally attracts a strong field, including many domestic Continental-level riders, and this year is no different.
The route
The race is a short, punchy affair at 74 kilometres (46 miles). Starting in Southwick, the race begins with five laps of a lumpy 13.6 km circuit around Portsdown Hill, which has a maximum gradient of 10.6 %.
The race then switches off the main circuit at Staple Cross Road to finish on the Lodge Hill climb, with the finish line placed just beyond the top of this final drag. The climb has a steep section towards the bottom – reaching nearly 15% in places, but continues to drag upward, making it a hard slog to the finish line. Local rider Red Walters holds the current Strava KOM for the climb.
The race is normally fast, furious and challenging enough that a solo win or a small group sprint can be expected.
History
Created by Mick Waite, who still runs the race, the first edition of the Perfs Pedal road race took place in July 1964, won by Tony Mills. The race moved to an early-season slot the following year where it has stayed ever since.
Given its position in the calendar, the weather has often been a key feature of the race. Ice and snow has been a frequent obstacle for the riders. And in the 1990s, mild, wet winters meant that flooding was a problem. The 2003 edition was cancelled by the local police because of what organiser Mick Waite described as a ‘puddle’. Poor road conditions have also hampered the race, resulting in the cancellation of the 2010 and 2014 editions. The 2020 edition was also cancelled because of forecasts of strong winds and heavy rain.
Alex Paton wins the 2018 Perfs Pedal race. Photo: Hugh McManus
The race has a long list of illustrious winners. Ian Hallam, Dave LeGrys, Chris Newton, Sean Yates, Tim Harris and Alex Dowsett have all won the race. The last four editions of the race have been won by Tim Elverson’s teams: Rory Townsend won in 2016 (when the team was called Pedal Heaven), Chris Opie in 2017 (for Bike Channel Canyon), Alex Paton took the honours in 2018 (for Canyon Eisberg), while Jacob Vaughan (Canyon dhb p/b Bloor Homes) was the most recent victor.
Contenders
At the time of writing, the startlist is provisional only, and subject to change.
Last update: 13 February 2022
WiV SunGod have dominated the race in recent times – it’s an important local race for team boss Tim Elverson – and as the only UCI Continental team represented, they will be the favourites to take the win for the fifth time in a row. All four two of their riders – Jim Brown, Josh Whitehead, Damien Clayton (second in 2019) and Euan MacLeod – are contenders in their own right.
Former WiV SunGod rider Alex Paton, winner of the race in 2018, is a fascinating inclusion on the startlist. He officially retired from racing at the end of 2020 but, if in shape, clearly has the pedigree to win this race.
Junior rider Joshua Tarling (FlandersColor Galloo) had an outstanding 2021, finishing third in the Otley Grand Prix on junior gears, winning the junior CiCLE Classics at the first time of asking and winning his first junior UCI road race. So it wouldn’t be a surprise if he is well in the mix for the win. Unfortunately, injuries picked up at a crash at the Manchester velodrome means he has had to withdraw from the race.
2021 HSBC UK National Men’s Circuit Series – The Property Development Mens Otley Grand Prix – Otley, Yorkshire, England – Joshua Tarling of FlandersColor Galloo. Photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Elite teams Nopinz Motip RT, Primera-TeamJobs, and Spirit Bontrager BSS Rotor all field full teams of six riders and will be looking to make their numerical advantage count. Spirit Bontrager BSS Rotor rider Jordan Peacock was fourth in the 2019 edition, so has form in this race.
Elsewhere in the field, there are plenty of individuals who could challenge for a result. Richardsons-Trek DAS’ new signing Conor McGoldrick took no less than six wins at National B level last season, including a superb solo win at the Holohan Coaching Road Race. Cycling Sheffield’s George Wood is one of those; he took National B road race wins last year, including the Spokes RT Scottish Road Race. Wales Racing Academy’s William Roberts won the Sunderland round of the Tour Series last year, indicating he is capable of a win a fast, aggressive race like this.
Late additions to the race Alex Richardson and Yanto Barker are also both possible winners.
Provisional startlist
Startlist as published on 31 January 2022.Updated 2 and 13 February 2022.
#
Name
Team
Cat
1
Alex Paton
BC PM
E
2
Dylan Hicks
Backstedt Bike Performance RT
2J
3
Euan Woodliffe
Backstedt Bike Performance RT
2J
4
Edward Hopkins
BCC RT
2J
5
Jamie Brown
BCC RT
2J
6
Lewis Holmes
BCC RT
2J
7
James Bevan
Bikestrong KTM
1
8
Jack Rebours
Caesarean CC Jersey
2J
9
Harry Johnson
CC Plancoetin
1
10
George Wood
Cycling Sheffield
1
11
Declan Hudson
Dolan Ellesse RT
1
12
Jack Crook
Dolan Ellesse RT
1
13
Joshua Tarling
FlandersColor Galloo
1J
14
Griff Lewis
FlandersColor Galloo
2J
15
Lucas Jowett
FlandersColor Galloo
2J
16
Jacob Schnabel
Meudon Pedal Heaven Le Col RT
2
17
Dylan Humber-Kelly
JRC Interflow RT
2J
18
William Jewitt
JRC Interflow RT
2
19
Ethan Browne
JRC Interflow RT
2
20
Richard Todd
Le Col
2
21
Jack Freeman
Meudon Pedal Heaven Le Col RT
E
22
Matthew Houlberg
Meudon Pedal Heaven Le Col RT
1
23
Felix Whetter
Mid Devon CC
2J
24
Samuel Clark
Netlar Telecom-Ale
1
25
Travis Bramley
Nopinz Motip RT
1
26
Daniel Shoebridge
Nopinz Motip RT
1
27
Cameron McLaren
Nopinz Motip RT
1
28
James Ashcroft
Nopinz Motip RT
1
29
Matt Witts
Nopinz Motip RT
1
30
George Fowler
Nopinz Motip RT
2
31
Andrew Critchlow
Norwood Paragon
1
32
Chris McNamara
Nunn-Sigma Sport-London RT
1
33
George Smith
Primera-TeamJobs
E
34
Luke Barfoot
Primera-TeamJobs
1
35
Nicholas Tyrie
Primera-TeamJobs
1
36
Jordan Giles
Primera-TeamJobs
1
37
Samuel Wadsley
Primera-TeamJobs
2
38
Ashley Newman
Primera-TeamJobs
2
39
Ian Vagg
Project 51
2
40
Adam Cotterell
Project 51
2
41
Michael Weavers
Project 51
2
42
Conor McGoldrick
Richardsons Trek Das
E
43
Aaron Freeman
Richardsons Trek Das
2
44
Rory Barrett
Southborough & District Wh
1
45
Keith Henderson
Southborough & District Wh
2
46
Michael Mottram
Spectra Wiggle P/B Vitus
E
47
Jordan Peacock
Spirit Bontrager BSS Rotor
1
48
Joshua Avery
Spirit Bontrager BSS Rotor
1
49
Angus Hawkins
Spirit Bontrager BSS Rotor
1
50
Thomas Price
Spirit Bontrager BSS Rotor
2
51
Farley Barber
Spirit Bontrager BSS Rotor
2
52
Joshua Price
Spirit Bontrager BSS Rotor
2
53
Lucas Rowley
Tactic Sport UK RT
2
54
Jack Fothergill
Team Jewson MI Racing
2
55
Jude Chamberlain
Team Jewson MI Racing
2J
56
Jack Dylan
Team Tor 2000 Kalas
2
57
Steven Jones
Team Tor 2000 Kalas
1
58
Noah Hobbs
Tekkerz CC
2J
59
Joshua Golliker
TrainSharp DT
2J
60
Jacob James
TrainSharp DT
2
61
Harry Ives
TrainSharp DT
2
62
Torin Henderson
TrainSharp DT
2
63
Joe Hill
Upshift Nutrition RT
E
64
Oliver Mangham
VC Londres
2J
65
Conor Williams
VC Londres
2J
66
Anthony Morris
VC Londres
2J
67
Thomas Caine
VC Meudon
2J
68
Felix Tuck
VC Meudon
2J
69
Matthew Gilmour
VC Venta
3J
70
Oliver Hurdle
Stolen Goat RT
2
71
Thomas Heal
Stolen Goat RT
2
72
Thomas Grigson
Stolen Goat RT
2
73
Joe Holt
Wales Racing Academy
E
74
Harvey McNaughton
Wales Racing Academy
1
75
William Roberts
Wales Racing Academy
1
76
Toby Manning
Wessex RC
2
77
Damien Clayton
WiV Sungod
E
78
Jim Brown
WiV Sungod
1
79
Josh Whitehead
WiV Sungod
1
80
Euan Macleod
WiV Sungod
2
81
George Gray
Z Junior RT
2J
82
William Smith
Z Junior RT
2J
83
Calum Moir
Z Junior RT
2J
84
Rory Knowles
Z Junior RT
2J
85
Oliver Akers
Z Junior RT
3J
Reserves
86
Luke Goodwill
VC Londres
3J
87
Monte Guerrini
Foran CC
2
88
Max Fleming
University of Reading
2
89
Joseph Surmon
University of Bristol CC
3
90
David Roper
Nopinz Motip DT
2
91
Gabriel Dellar
Southampton University RC
3
Timings
The race kicks off at 11.00 and is expected to finish not long after 13.00.
Weather
The forecast looks typically grim. Strong winds and rain look set to make this edition a real hardman’s race.
Featured photo: Phil O’Connor. Jacob Vaughan wins the 2019 edition of the race.
The B-side: a closer look at National B road racing
The road racing season may have begun in Europe, but here in the UK, the first sniff of UCI road racing won’t happen until the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic on 24 April. Thankfully, national-level road racing will begin soon with the first National B road race of the year: the Perfs Pedal. In anticipation of this landmark, here is a quick look at the route, the race history, the startlist and the contenders.
What is it?
The Perfs Pedal road race is a ‘National B‘ road race promoted by VC St Raphael. Taking place near Portsmouth in the south of England, it is the traditional opener to the domestic road racing season. This will be the first time the race has run since 2019. An important early-season marker of fitness, it normally attracts a strong field, including many domestic Continental-level riders, and this year is no different.
The route
The race is a short, punchy affair at 74 kilometres (46 miles). Starting in Southwick, the race begins with five laps of a lumpy 13.6 km circuit around Portsdown Hill, which has a maximum gradient of 10.6 %.
The race then switches off the main circuit at Staple Cross Road to finish on the Lodge Hill climb, with the finish line placed just beyond the top of this final drag. The climb has a steep section towards the bottom – reaching nearly 15% in places, but continues to drag upward, making it a hard slog to the finish line. Local rider Red Walters holds the current Strava KOM for the climb.
The race is normally fast, furious and challenging enough that a solo win or a small group sprint can be expected.
History
Created by Mick Waite, who still runs the race, the first edition of the Perfs Pedal road race took place in July 1964, won by Tony Mills. The race moved to an early-season slot the following year where it has stayed ever since.
Given its position in the calendar, the weather has often been a key feature of the race. Ice and snow has been a frequent obstacle for the riders. And in the 1990s, mild, wet winters meant that flooding was a problem. The 2003 edition was cancelled by the local police because of what organiser Mick Waite described as a ‘puddle’. Poor road conditions have also hampered the race, resulting in the cancellation of the 2010 and 2014 editions. The 2020 edition was also cancelled because of forecasts of strong winds and heavy rain.
The race has a long list of illustrious winners. Ian Hallam, Dave LeGrys, Chris Newton, Sean Yates, Tim Harris and Alex Dowsett have all won the race. The last four editions of the race have been won by Tim Elverson’s teams: Rory Townsend won in 2016 (when the team was called Pedal Heaven), Chris Opie in 2017 (for Bike Channel Canyon), Alex Paton took the honours in 2018 (for Canyon Eisberg), while Jacob Vaughan (Canyon dhb p/b Bloor Homes) was the most recent victor.
Contenders
At the time of writing, the startlist is provisional only, and subject to change.
Last update: 13 February 2022
WiV SunGod have dominated the race in recent times – it’s an important local race for team boss Tim Elverson – and as the only UCI Continental team represented, they will be the favourites to take the win for the fifth time in a row. All
fourtwo of their riders –Jim Brown, Josh Whitehead, Damien Clayton (second in 2019)and Euan MacLeod– are contenders in their own right.Former WiV SunGod rider Alex Paton, winner of the race in 2018, is a fascinating inclusion on the startlist. He officially retired from racing at the end of 2020 but, if in shape, clearly has the pedigree to win this race.
Junior rider Joshua Tarling (FlandersColor Galloo) had an outstanding 2021, finishing third in the Otley Grand Prix on junior gears, winning the junior CiCLE Classics at the first time of asking and winning his first junior UCI road race.
So it wouldn’t be a surprise if he is well in the mix for the win.Unfortunately, injuries picked up at a crash at the Manchester velodrome means he has had to withdraw from the race.Elite teams Nopinz Motip RT, Primera-TeamJobs, and Spirit Bontrager BSS Rotor all field full teams of six riders and will be looking to make their numerical advantage count. Spirit Bontrager BSS Rotor rider Jordan Peacock was fourth in the 2019 edition, so has form in this race.
Elsewhere in the field, there are plenty of individuals who could challenge for a result. Richardsons-Trek DAS’ new signing Conor McGoldrick took no less than six wins at National B level last season, including a superb solo win at the Holohan Coaching Road Race. Cycling Sheffield’s George Wood is one of those; he took National B road race wins last year, including the Spokes RT Scottish Road Race. Wales Racing Academy’s William Roberts won the Sunderland round of the Tour Series last year, indicating he is capable of a win a fast, aggressive race like this.
Late additions to the race Alex Richardson and Yanto Barker are also both possible winners.
Provisional startlist
Startlist as published on 31 January 2022. Updated 2 and 13 February 2022.
13Joshua TarlingFlandersColor Galloo1JTravis BramleyNopinz Motip RT1Angus HawkinsSpirit Bontrager BSS Rotor1Jim BrownWiV Sungod11Euan MacleodWiV SungodTimings
The race kicks off at 11.00 and is expected to finish not long after 13.00.
Weather
The forecast looks typically grim. Strong winds and rain look set to make this edition a real hardman’s race.
Featured photo: Phil O’Connor. Jacob Vaughan wins the 2019 edition of the race.
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