2021 National Road Series winner Abi Smith (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) showed why she is now a WorldTour rider with a commanding solo win at the 2022 Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix. In the men’s race, Alex Richardson showed his form ahead next month’s Tour of Britain, with his new teammate Jack Rootkin-Gray sealing a Saint Piran 1-2.
Featured Image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
Report
Women’s race
After a slight break for most of the domestic peloton after a ferocious long weekend in the Isle Of Man for the last round of the National Road Series, the penultimate race of the Series proved to be a more measured affair in the early stages.
Setting off from Ampleforth Abbey for the first time, the group stayed together through the village and up Yearsley Bank for the first time as the field elected to take things steady rather than put in any early digs to try and splinter the group.
That’s not to say the pace wasn’t fast, with some riders unable to keep up in the peloton as the rolling Howardian Hills made their presence felt – not quite steep enough for a proper dig, but enough to really burn a lot of legs.
2022 National Road Series, Ryedale GP – The Peloton. Photo: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
Through the two longer laps of the course, the group stayed as one with CAMS-Basso – leading the team standings – marshalling the front of the course as it looked to ensure Sammie Stuart retained her individual lead in the overall standings.
It was on the shorter laps that the race finally found some spark with Abi Smith launching an attack off the front through the feed zone in the grounds of the Abbey.
While she didn’t stay out front for too long, it did give a warning to other teams that they couldn’t sit back and let the race come to them. Taking up the mantle, Emma Matthews (CAMS-Basso) attacked and opened up a gap that grew to half-a-minute, but as she went through the start/finish line to start the penultimate lap, she was pulled back in by a group of ten other riders.
2022 National Road Series, Ryedale GP – Emma Matthews of Team Cams Basso. Photo: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
There was a brief disruption through Ampleforth Village as Alex Morrice (Team LDN – Brother UK) took a (thankfully) small fall, but the group worked pretty well together to build up a lead of more than 90 seconds over a similar-sized chasing pack behind.
It was on the final lap – the fifth in total, and third of the smaller circuits – that Smith made her decisive attack. Talking after the race, she said she chose her spot on the flat after the Yearsley Bank climb having sensed that the peloton was starting to relax.
Attacking from the front, her senses proved to be spot on as no one joined the chase. Not dropping the tempo at all, she came into the grounds of the Abbey for the last time with more than 50 seconds in hand over the competition, taking a stunning solo victory on the roads she learned to ride a bike on, having grown up in nearby Oswaldkirk.
2022 National Road Series, Ryedale GP – Abi Smith of Team EF Education TIBCO SVB crossing the line taking the victory. Photo: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
Behind her, Mary Wilkinson (Team Boompods) added second to her victory in the Lancaster Grand Prix by taking the reduced group sprint from Dani Shrosbree (CAMS-Basso). Kate Richardson (Alba Development Road Team) and Zoe Langham (Pro-Noctis – Rotor – RedchilliBikes by Heidi Kjeldsen) converted their front-running early pace to top-five finishes with fourth and fifth respectively.
In the National Road Series, Sammie Stuart keeps hold of the lead for CAMS-Basso despite finishing 31st overall. She’s got 113 points, with Lucy Lee (Team LDN – Brother UK) still her nearest challenger on 96. Alice McWilliam (Bianchi Hunt Morvelo) is a point behind on 95 and Mary Wilkinson has moved up to fourth on 75.
In the team standings, CAMS-Basso has a massive 316 points, more than double their nearest challengers Team Boompods on 152.
Men’s race
While the first few laps of the women’s race was best described as cagey, the men’s race was anything but with action throughout the four-hour race.
Straight from KM 0 – just outside Ampleforth village – five riders launched an attack with who else but Jake Scott (WiV SunGod) leading the way alongside Stuart Balfour (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling), Dean Watson (Embark – Bikestrong), Leon Mazzone (Saint Piran), and Tom Williams (Nopinz Motip Race Team).
2022 National Road Series, Ryedale GP – Jacob Scott of Team WIV Sungod. Photo: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
The peloton was never too far behind in the early long laps, and come the next run up the lung-busting Yearsley Bank climb the lead group alongside Scott changed completely with Saint Piran sending up two riders – Alexander Richardson and Jack Rootkin-Gray – to join Sam Clark (trainSharp Elite), Ribble’s Zeb Kyffin and Wales Racing Academy’s William Truelove.
Even that group didn’t last too long, as Scott and Rootkin-Gray attacked coming into the sharp left-hander at Grimston Grange and built up a handy advantage of a dozen or so seconds relatively quickly.
On the final of the three long laps, they were just about reeled in as Saint Piran, WiV and Ribble all worked together to form a group of at least 14 riders which included series leader Rob Scott (WiV SunGod).
But, like most things in this race, the situation didn’t stay still for long as yet another four riders powered off the front in their own attempt to force a move with four laps remaining.
2022 National Road Series, Ryedale GP – Alexander Richardson of Saint Piran with Jack Rootkin Gray of Saint Piran, Toby Barnes (WiV Sungod) and Stuart Balfour (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling). Photo: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
This move, though, was more decisive, as Richardson and Rootkin-Gray found themselves in a strong quartet with Toby Barnes (WiV SunGod) and Stuart Balfour. Working strongly together, they built up a lead of more than 100 seconds over a group of 16 riders which started to fracture as the pace kept getting ratcheted ever higher.
There was to be yet another twist on the race though. Richardson attacked on the penultimate lap and splintered the leading four, with Balfour dropping off into the group behind, Rootkin-Gray just about keeping up half-a-dozen seconds down and Barnes caught in purgatory a minute down on the Saint Piran duo and the same distance ahead of the chasers.
Coming into Ampleforth Abbey to start the final lap, the Saint Piran riders came in together and worked to increase the gap to Barnes.
However, on the final assault of Yearsley Bank disaster struck for Rootkin-Gray as he punctured. A quick service allowed him to retain second on the road – 30 seconds down on Richardson – but it meant the result was put beyond doubt.
The Cornish team took a well-earned one-two with Richardson leading home Rootkin-Gray with an advantage of more than a minute as he continued to run a high pace until the finish.
2022 National Road Series, Ryedale GP – AlexanderRichardson of Saint Piran taking the victory. Photo: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
Having been caught on the final lap by the chasing pack, it wasn’t Toby Barnes who took the final podium spot, but Jake Scott – who prevailed in the group sprint against Finn Crockett (Ribble Weldtite) to continue his string of podium results.
Sixth was enough for Rob Scott to keep hold of the National Road Series lead by 11 points over team-mate Jake Scott, with Finn Crockett third and 30 points down on Rob Scott, WiV SunGod also retain the team lead too, with just the final round at the Beaumont Trophy to go.
Results
Women’s race
Rank
#
Name
Team
Time
1
79
Abi Smith (U23)
EF Education-TIBCO-SVB
3:01:04
2
55
Mary Wilkinson
Team Boompods
+44
3
34
Danielle Shrosbree
CAMS-Basso
+45
4
6
Kate Richardson (U23)
Alba Development Road Team
st
5
67
Zoe Langham
Pro-Noctis – Rotor – RedchilliBikes by Heidi Kjeldsen
st
6
35
Becky Storrie
CAMS-Basso
+47
7
23
Jessie Carridge
Brother UK-Orientation Marketing
+48
8
91
Nicole Coates
Torelli-Cayman-Islands-Scimitar
+52
9
11
Connie Hayes (U23)
AWOL O’Shea
+56
10
31
Emma Matthews
CAMS-Basso
+1:00
11
71
Lucy Gadd (U23)
Storey Racing
+1:09
12
80
Emma Jeffers (JR)
JRC-INTERFLON Race Team
+1:31
13
29
Jessica Finney
CAMS-Basso
st
14
84
Robyn Clay (U23)
Otley CC
st
15
69
Jo Tindley
Pro-Noctis – Rotor – RedchilliBikes by Heidi Kjeldsen
+1:34
16
63
Bexy Dew
Pro-Noctis – Rotor – RedchilliBikes by Heidi Kjeldsen
st
17
59
Heather Mayer
Team LDN – Brother UK
st
18
18
Tamsin Miller
Bianchi Hunt Morvelo
st
19
38
Beth Harley-Jepson
Jadan – Vive le Velo
st
20
54
Lucy Harris
Team Boompods
st
21
45
Amber Harding
Loughborough Lightning
+1:36
22
17
Alice McWilliam
Bianchi Hunt Morvelo
st
23
93
Alex Morrice (U23)
Team LDN – Brother UK
+1:40
24
81
Alice Lethbridge
AWOL O’Shea
+1:42
25
58
Lucy Lee
Team LDN – Brother UK
+1:52
26
95
Megan Walker
Royal Air Force Cycling
+4:13
27
28
Sannah Zaman (U23)
Brother UK-Orientation Marketing
+4:42
28
66
Amy Gornall
Pro-Noctis – Rotor – RedchilliBikes by Heidi Kjeldsen
+4:54
29
44
Francesca Hall
Loughborough Lightning
+5:23
30
32
Beth Morrow (U23)
CAMS-Basso
st
31
36
Sammie Stuart
CAMS-Basso
st
32
51
Gemma Sargent
Saint Piran WRT
+7:07
33
41
Matilda McKibben (JR)
Liv Cycling Club – Halo Films
+7:09
34
90
Morven Yeoman (JR)
Tofauti Everyone Active
+7:13
35
96
Polly Mason
ZAAF Global Cycling Team
+7:23
36
61
Ruth Shier
Team LDN – Brother UK
st
37
62
Dannielle Watkinson
Team LDN – Brother UK
+10:23
38
56
Sian Botteley
Team LDN – Brother UK
+11:32
39
9
Olivia Bent (U23)
AWOL O’Shea
st
40
53
Amy Graham
Team Boompods
st
41
94
Amber Junker-Brameld (JR)
VC Londres
+11:35
42
50
Elizabeth Sanders
Saint Piran WRT
+11:37
43
26
Hope Inglis (JR)
Brother UK-Orientation Marketing
+11:41
44
60
Kerry Middleton
Team LDN – Brother UK
+11:54
45
75
Lydia Watts (U23)
AWOL O’Shea
+13:49
46
83
Lauren Robinson
Moonglu Race Team
+13:53
47
86
Nicola Greenwood (U23)
RFDA
+13:55
48
10
Eva Callinan (U23)
AWOL O’Shea
+14:01
49
76
Lotty Dawson (JR)
Backstedt Bike Performance JRT
+14:39
50
39
Gabriella Nordin
Jadan – Vive le Velo
+17:18
1
Sophie Enever
Alba Development Road Team
DNF
4
Beth Maciver (U23)
Alba Development Road Team
DNF
5
Erin Murphy (U23)
Alba Development Road Team
DNF
12
Phoebe Martin
AWOL O’Shea
DNF
13
Francesca Morgans-Slader
AWOL O’Shea
DNF
15
Amye Kellow (JR)
Bianchi Hunt Morvelo
DNF
16
Dannielle Khan
Bianchi Hunt Morvelo
DNF
20
Natasha Reddy
Bianchi Hunt Morvelo
DNF
22
Ellen Bennett (U23)
Brother UK-Orientation Marketing
DNF
25
Freya Eccleston (JR)
Brother UK-Orientation Marketing
DNF
27
Holly Ramsey (JR)
Brother UK-Orientation Marketing
DNF
30
Sophie Thackray
CAMS-Basso
DNF
42
Niamh Murphy (JR)
Liv Cycling Club – Halo Films
DNF
47
Chloe Vickers (U23)
Loughborough Lightning
DNF
48
Hannah Bayes
Saint Piran WRT
DNF
49
Gwenno Hughes
Saint Piran WRT
DNF
68
Millie Skinner
Pro-Noctis – Rotor – RedchilliBikes by Heidi Kjeldsen
DNF
70
Poppy Thompson
Pro-Noctis – Rotor – RedchilliBikes by Heidi Kjeldsen
DNF
74
Anya Tamplin (U23)
Storey Racing
DNF
77
Lola Ellis (JR)
Jadan – Vive le Velo
DNF
82
Marie-Louise Kertzman
LAKA Pedal Mafia RT
DNF
85
Hebe Picking (JR)
RFDA
DNF
87
Georgia Lancaster (JR)
Sleaford Wheelers Cycling Club
DNF
92
Grace Norman
Jadan – Vive le Velo
DNF
97
Joanne Rea
Team Kirkley Cycles
DNF
2
Arianne Holland
Alba Development Road Team
DNS
3
Sophie Lankford
Alba Development Road Team
DNS
7
Emma Smith
Alba Development Road Team
DNS
8
Victoria Smith
Alba Development Road Team
DNS
14
Alderney Baker (U23)
Bianchi Hunt Morvelo
DNS
19
Georgina Panchaud
Bianchi Hunt Morvelo
DNS
21
Daisy Barnes (U23)
Brother UK-Orientation Marketing
DNS
24
Abigail Cooper (U23)
Brother UK-Orientation Marketing
DNS
33
Katie Scott (U23)
CAMS-Basso
DNS
37
Matea Deliu
Jadan – Vive le Velo
DNS
40
Ella Jamieson (JR)
Liv Cycling Club – Halo Films
DNS
43
Awen Roberts (JR)
Liv Cycling Club – Halo Films
DNS
46
Roisin Lally (U23)
Loughborough Lightning
DNS
52
Christina Wiejak
Saint Piran WRT
DNS
57
Tiffany Keep (U23)
Team LDN – Brother UK
DNS
64
Isabel Darvill (U23)
Pro-Noctis – Rotor – RedchilliBikes by Heidi Kjeldsen
DNS
65
Lucy Ellmore (U23)
Pro-Noctis – Rotor – RedchilliBikes by Heidi Kjeldsen
DNS
72
Morgan Newberry
Storey Racing
DNS
73
Rebecca Richards
Storey Racing
DNS
78
Sophie Holmes (U23)
Datalynx-Parenesis Cycling
DNS
88
Maddie Heywood
Team Watto-LDN
DNS
89
Lucy Neatham (U23)
Team Watto-LDN
DNS
Men’s race
Rank
#
Name
Team
Time
1
43
Alexandar Richardson
Saint Piran
3:57:38
2
79
Jack Rootkin-Gray (U23)
Saint Piran
+1:48
3
107
Jacob Scott
WiV Sungod
st
4
26
Finn Crockett
Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling
st
5
72
Harry Birchill (U23)
Saint Piran
st
6
108
Robert Scott
WiV Sungod
+2:30
7
103
Toby Barnes (U23)
WiV Sungod
+2:38
8
19
Sebastian Garry
Nopinz Motip Race Team
+2:58
9
41
Adam Lewis
Saint Piran
+3:09
10
86
Samuel Clark (U23)
trainSharp Elite
+6:13
11
109
Josh Whitehead (U23)
WiV Sungod
+7:17
12
44
Cooper Sayers
Saint Piran
st
13
28
Zeb Kyffin
Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling
st
14
61
Lee Rosie (U23)
Spokes Racing Team
st
15
82
George Peden
Team PB Performance
+7:24
16
118
William Truelove (U23)
Wales Racing Academy
+8:11
17
137
Ben Granger (U23)
Zappi Racing Team
+9:29
18
142
Tyler Hannay (U23)
CC Etupes
st
19
52
Josh Housley
Spirit BSS
+9:35
20
46
Leon Mazzone
Saint Piran
+11:11
21
7
Jack Crook
Dolan Ellesse Race Team
+11:12
22
37
Conor McGoldrick
Richardsons Trek DAS
+11:17
23
128
Max Rushby (U23)
Acrog-Tormans
+11:19
24
111
Samuel Beckett (U23)
Wales Racing Academy
+11:20
25
36
James Jenkins
Richardsons Trek DAS
st
26
10
Joe Wilson (U23)
Dolan Ellesse Race Team
st
27
110
Reece Wood
WiV Sungod
st
28
20
Cameron McLaren
Nopinz Motip Race Team
st
29
80
Jacques Coates (U23)
Team PB Performance
st
30
13
Michael Chadwick
Embark – Bikestrong
+11:26
31
67
Matthew Warhurst (U23)
SRCT MUC-OFF
+13:27
32
89
Thomas Mitchell (U23)
trainSharp Elite
+14:52
33
157
Tom Williams (U23)
Nopinz Motip Race Team
+14:55
34
129
Matthew Houlberg (U23)
Meudon Pedal Heaven Le Col RT
st
35
119
Matti Dobbins (U23)
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
+15:03
36
155
Max Krasinski (U23)
Prologue Racing Team
st
37
100
Sam Kettlewell (U23)
TS Racing
+15:07
38
101
Saymon Mussie
TS Racing
+15:09
39
39
Matthew Lord (U23)
Richardsons Trek DAS
+15:11
40
159
Ewan Mackie (U23)
Saris Rouvy Sauerland Team
+15:13
41
16
Joseph Rees (U23)
Embark – Bikestrong
st
42
5
Adam Mitchell (U23)
Cycling Sheffield
+15:14
43
42
Theodor Obholzer
Saint Piran
st
44
53
George Kimber
Spirit BSS
st
45
131
Ben Pease
Moonglu Race Team
+15:37
46
45
Oliver Hucks
Saint Piran
st
47
105
Jim Brown (U23)
WiV Sungod
st
48
64
Matthew Ellis (U23)
SRCT MUC-OFF
+16:01
1
Joe Coukham (U23)
Cycling Sheffield
DNF
2
James Hartley (U23)
Cycling Sheffield
DNF
4
Taylor Hill (U23)
Cycling Sheffield
DNF
9
Conor McKinnon (U23)
Dolan Ellesse Race Team
DNF
12
Jamieson Blain (U23)
Embark – Bikestrong
DNF
14
Cai Davies
Embark – Bikestrong
DNF
17
James Satoor
Embark – Bikestrong
DNF
18
Dean Watson (U23)
Embark – Bikestrong
DNF
21
David Roper
Nopinz Motip Race Team
DNF
22
Luke Barfoot
Primera-TeamJobs
DNF
23
Jordan Giles
Primera-TeamJobs
DNF
25
Stuart Balfour
Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling
DNF
27
Red Walters
Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling
DNF
29
Ross Lamb
Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling
DNF
30
Cameron Jeffers
Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling
DNF
31
Charlie Tanfield
Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling
DNF
32
Harry Tanfield
Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling
DNF
33
Samuel Asker (U23)
Richardsons Trek DAS
DNF
34
Peter Cocker
Richardsons Trek DAS
DNF
35
Aaron Freeman (U23)
Richardsons Trek DAS
DNF
38
Steven Parsonage
Richardsons Trek DAS
DNF
40
Aaron Stone (U23)
Richardsons Trek DAS
DNF
49
Farley Barber (U23)
Spirit BSS
DNF
50
Angus Hawkins (U23)
Spirit BSS
DNF
51
Joe Hill
Spirit BSS
DNF
54
Irfan Zirman (U23)
Spirit BSS
DNF
55
Frazier Carr (U23)
Spirit BSS
DNF
56
Thomas Price (U23)
Spirit BSS
DNF
58
William Dykes
Spokes Racing Team
DNF
60
Craig Paterson (U23)
Spokes Racing Team
DNF
62
Jacob Smith (U23)
Spokes Racing Team
DNF
66
Jake Towler
SRCT MUC-OFF
DNF
68
Kishan Bakrania (U23)
TBW23 Stuart Hall Cycling
DNF
75
Josh Charlton (U23)
Team Inspired
DNF
81
Hefin Evans
Team PB Performance
DNF
83
Kieran Riley (U23)
Team PB Performance
DNF
85
Jude Taylor
Team PB Performance
DNF
87
Harry Ives (U23)
trainSharp Elite
DNF
88
Jacob James (U23)
trainSharp Elite
DNF
90
Daniel Goodwin (U23)
trainSharp Elite
DNF
91
Danylo Riwnyj
trainSharp Elite
DNF
92
Timothy Torrie
trainSharp Elite
DNF
102
Daniel Smith
TS Racing
DNF
106
Euan Macleod (U23)
WiV Sungod
DNF
114
Liam James-Morris (U23)
Wales Racing Academy
DNF
115
Edward Morgan (U23)
Wales Racing Academy
DNF
120
Matthew Fox (U23)
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
DNF
121
Logan Maclean (U23)
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
DNF
122
Tom Merry
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
DNF
123
Tim Shoreman (U23)
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
DNF
125
Jordan Retallack
05/03
DNF
126
John Russell (U23)
05/03
DNF
127
Joe Shillabeer (U23)
05/03
DNF
130
Lucas Murphy (U23)
Hamilton City CC NZ
DNF
132
Thomas Stringer
Moonglu Race Team
DNF
134
Daniel Kain (U23)
Ribble rechrg Race Team
DNF
135
William Perrett
Spellman – Dublin Port Track Team
DNF
136
Matthew Lock
TAAP Cervelo
DNF
138
Adam Kenway
DNF
139
Alexander MacRae
DNF
140
Daniel McDermott
DNF
141
Matthew Kingston (U23)
Zappi Racing Team
DNF
143
Hugo Lutz-Atkinson (U23)
Ribble rechrg Race Team
DNF
147
Aaron King (U23)
RT23
DNF
150
Ben Chilton (U23)
Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus
DNF
151
Dexter Leeming-Sykes (U23)
Wold Top The Edge RT
DNF
152
Jack Moore
Gala Cycling Club
DNF
153
James Wordsworth (U23)
University of Leeds Cycling Clu
DNF
154
Isaac Wright
Project 51
DNF
156
Ben Mewes
X-Speed United Continental Team
DNF
161
Joe Howcroft (U23)
Otley CC
DNF
3
James Hawkins (U23)
Cycling Sheffield
DNS
8
Declan Hudson
Dolan Ellesse Race Team
DNS
11
Cameron Biddle
Embark – Bikestrong
DNS
15
Iwan Evans (U23)
Embark – Bikestrong
DNS
24
Ben Millar
Primera-TeamJobs
DNS
47
Bradley Symonds
Saint Piran
DNS
48
Jenson Young (U23)
Saint Piran
DNS
57
Cameron Brown (U23)
Spokes Racing Team
DNS
59
Murray Lawson
Spokes Racing Team
DNS
63
Elliot Barratt (U23)
SRCT MUC-OFF
DNS
65
Thomas Lowther (U23)
SRCT MUC-OFF
DNS
69
Peter Merritt
TBW23 Stuart Hall Cycling
DNS
70
Oliver Wood (U23)
TBW23 Stuart Hall Cycling
DNS
71
Irfan Zaman (U23)
TBW23 Stuart Hall Cycling
DNS
73
Ross Birrell (U23)
Team Inspired
DNS
74
Jack Brough (U23)
Team Inspired
DNS
76
Will Tidball (U23)
Team Inspired
DNS
77
Joshua Giddings (U23)
Team Inspired
DNS
78
Oscar Nilsson-Julien (U23)
Team Inspired
DNS
84
Chad Scallan
Team PB Performance
DNS
93
Sam Culverwell (U23)
TRINITY Road Racing
DNS
94
Thomas Gloag (U23)
TRINITY Road Racing
DNS
95
Aidan Lawrence (U23)
TRINITY Road Racing
DNS
96
Cameron Mason (U23)
TRINITY Road Racing
DNS
97
Lukas Nerurkar (U23)
TRINITY Road Racing
DNS
98
Oliver Rees (U23)
TRINITY Road Racing
DNS
99
Max Walker (U23)
TRINITY Road Racing
DNS
104
Matthew Bostock
WiV Sungod
DNS
112
Joseph Beckingsale (U23)
Wales Racing Academy
DNS
113
Joe Holt
Wales Racing Academy
DNS
116
Owain Roberts (U23)
Wales Racing Academy
DNS
117
William Roberts
Wales Racing Academy
DNS
124
Callum Thornley (U23)
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
DNS
133
Toby Tanfield (U23)
Retelec-Alca-Team Cycling Galicia
DNS
144
Tiago Fougo
Strada 2020
DNS
145
Callum Macleod (U23)
ABLOC CT
DNS
146
Marcus Burnett
Kuwait Pro Cycling Team
DNS
148
Daniel Barnes (U23)
Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus
DNS
149
Ole Henrik Bang-Andreasen
Le Col
DNS
158
Louis Moore (U23)
Vanelli-Project Go
DNS
160
Ethan Brown (U23)
JRC-INTERFLON Race Team
DNS
6
George Wood (U23)
Cycling Sheffield
DQ
National Road Series standings
Women’s individual
Rank
Name
Team
Points
1
Sammie Stuart
CAMS-Basso
113
2
Lucy Lee
Team LDN – Brother UK
96
3
Alice McWilliam
Bianchi Hunt Morvelo
95
4
Mary Wilkinson
Team Boompods
75
5
Jessie Carridge
Brother UK-Orientation Marketing
72
6
Emma Jeffers (JR)
JRC-INTERFLON Race Team
67
7
Jessica Finney
CAMS-Basso
66
8
Danielle Shrosbree
CAMS-Basso
60
9
Becky Storrie
CAMS-Basso
50
10
Hayley Preen
Torelli-Cayman-Islands-Scimitar
50
11
Connie Hayes (U23)
AWOL OShea
50
12
Jo Tindley
Pro-Noctis – Rotor – RedchilliBikes by Heidi Kjeldsen
45
13
Josie Nelson (U23)
Team Coop-Hitec Products
44
14
Lucy Ellmore (U23)
Pro-Noctis – Rotor – RedchilliBikes by Heidi Kjeldsen
44
15
Robyn Clay (U23)
Otley CC
43
16
Anna Kay
StarCasino Team
42
17
Kate Richardson (U23)
Alba Development Road Team
40
18
Emma Matthews
CAMS-Basso
40
19
Annamarie Lipp
Torelli-Cayman-Islands-Scimitar
39
20
Monica Greenwood
Team Boompods
38
21
Lee Boon (U23)
Torelli-Cayman-Islands-Scimitar
35
22
Marine Guerin
Sprinter Nice Metropole
34
23
Beth Morrow (U23)
CAMS-Basso
34
24
Nicole Coates
Torelli-Cayman-Islands-Scimitar
34
25
Abi Smith (U23)
EF Education-TIBCO-SVB
30
26
Zoe Langham
Pro-Noctis – Rotor – RedchilliBikes by Heidi Kjeldsen
29
27
Millie Couzens (U23)
Plantur-Pura
28
28
Alex Morrice (U23)
Team LDN – Brother UK
28
29
Madelaine Leech (U23)
CAMS-Basso
28
30
Eluned King (U23)
Le Col – Wahoo
26
31
Beth Maciver (U23)
Alba Development Road Team
24
32
Frankie Morgans-Slader
AWOL OShea
24
33
Bexy Dew
Pro-Noctis – Rotor – RedchilliBikes by Heidi Kjeldsen
22
34
Ellen McDermott
Team Boompods
20
35
Awen Roberts (JR)
Liv Cycling Club – Halo Films
20
36
April Tacey (U23)
Le Col – Wahoo
18
37
Amber Harding
Loughborough Lightning
17
38
Grace Lister (JR)
Brother UK-Orientation Marketing
16
39
Tamsin Miller
Bianchi Hunt Morvelo
13
40
Alice Lethbridge
AWOL OShea
12
41
Lucy Harris
Team Boompods
12
42
Beth Harley-Jepson
Jadan – Vive le Velo
11
43
Lucy Gadd (U23)
Storey Racing
10
44
Madeleine Gammons
Saint Piran WRT
10
45
Amy Gornall
Pro-Noctis – Rotor – RedchilliBikes by Heidi Kjeldsen
10
46
Amira Mellor
Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus
9
47
Dannielle Khan
Bianchi Hunt Morvelo
8
48
Niamh Murphy (JR)
Liv Cycling Club – Halo Films
8
49
Izzy Sharp
Brother UK-Orientation Marketing
7
50
Isabel Darvill (U23)
Pro-Noctis – Rotor – RedchilliBikes by Heidi Kjeldsen
7
51
Zoe Backstedt (JR)
Acrog-Tormans
6
52
Katarzyna Madej
Onyx Racing Team
6
53
Katie Scott (U23)
CAMS-Basso
5
54
Heather Mayer
Team LDN – Brother UK
4
55
Ella Maclean-Howell (JR)
Tofauti Everyone Active
4
56
Maddie Wadsworth (U23)
AWOL Oshea
4
57
Ella Jamieson (JR)
Liv Cycling Club – Halo Films
3
58
Olivia Bentley
Torelli-Cayman-Islands-Scimitar
3
59
Sophie Enever
Alba Development Road Team
3
60
Tiffany Keep (U23)
Team LDN – Brother UK
2
61
Rachael Wales
ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast
2
62
Kinga Ingram (U23)
Storey Racing
1
63
Gemma Sargent
Saint Piran WRT
1
64
Suzetta Guerrini
Jadan – Vive le Velo
1
Women’s team
Rank
Team Name
Points
1
CAMS-Basso
316
2
Team Boompods
152
3
Pro-Noctis – Rotor – RedchilliBikes by Heidi Kjeldsen
2021 National Road Series winner Abi Smith (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) showed why she is now a WorldTour rider with a commanding solo win at the 2022 Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix. In the men’s race, Alex Richardson showed his form ahead next month’s Tour of Britain, with his new teammate Jack Rootkin-Gray sealing a Saint Piran 1-2.
Featured Image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
Report
Women’s race
After a slight break for most of the domestic peloton after a ferocious long weekend in the Isle Of Man for the last round of the National Road Series, the penultimate race of the Series proved to be a more measured affair in the early stages.
Setting off from Ampleforth Abbey for the first time, the group stayed together through the village and up Yearsley Bank for the first time as the field elected to take things steady rather than put in any early digs to try and splinter the group.
That’s not to say the pace wasn’t fast, with some riders unable to keep up in the peloton as the rolling Howardian Hills made their presence felt – not quite steep enough for a proper dig, but enough to really burn a lot of legs.
Through the two longer laps of the course, the group stayed as one with CAMS-Basso – leading the team standings – marshalling the front of the course as it looked to ensure Sammie Stuart retained her individual lead in the overall standings.
It was on the shorter laps that the race finally found some spark with Abi Smith launching an attack off the front through the feed zone in the grounds of the Abbey.
While she didn’t stay out front for too long, it did give a warning to other teams that they couldn’t sit back and let the race come to them. Taking up the mantle, Emma Matthews (CAMS-Basso) attacked and opened up a gap that grew to half-a-minute, but as she went through the start/finish line to start the penultimate lap, she was pulled back in by a group of ten other riders.
There was a brief disruption through Ampleforth Village as Alex Morrice (Team LDN – Brother UK) took a (thankfully) small fall, but the group worked pretty well together to build up a lead of more than 90 seconds over a similar-sized chasing pack behind.
It was on the final lap – the fifth in total, and third of the smaller circuits – that Smith made her decisive attack. Talking after the race, she said she chose her spot on the flat after the Yearsley Bank climb having sensed that the peloton was starting to relax.
Attacking from the front, her senses proved to be spot on as no one joined the chase. Not dropping the tempo at all, she came into the grounds of the Abbey for the last time with more than 50 seconds in hand over the competition, taking a stunning solo victory on the roads she learned to ride a bike on, having grown up in nearby Oswaldkirk.
Behind her, Mary Wilkinson (Team Boompods) added second to her victory in the Lancaster Grand Prix by taking the reduced group sprint from Dani Shrosbree (CAMS-Basso). Kate Richardson (Alba Development Road Team) and Zoe Langham (Pro-Noctis – Rotor – RedchilliBikes by Heidi Kjeldsen) converted their front-running early pace to top-five finishes with fourth and fifth respectively.
In the National Road Series, Sammie Stuart keeps hold of the lead for CAMS-Basso despite finishing 31st overall. She’s got 113 points, with Lucy Lee (Team LDN – Brother UK) still her nearest challenger on 96. Alice McWilliam (Bianchi Hunt Morvelo) is a point behind on 95 and Mary Wilkinson has moved up to fourth on 75.
In the team standings, CAMS-Basso has a massive 316 points, more than double their nearest challengers Team Boompods on 152.
Men’s race
While the first few laps of the women’s race was best described as cagey, the men’s race was anything but with action throughout the four-hour race.
Straight from KM 0 – just outside Ampleforth village – five riders launched an attack with who else but Jake Scott (WiV SunGod) leading the way alongside Stuart Balfour (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling), Dean Watson (Embark – Bikestrong), Leon Mazzone (Saint Piran), and Tom Williams (Nopinz Motip Race Team).
The peloton was never too far behind in the early long laps, and come the next run up the lung-busting Yearsley Bank climb the lead group alongside Scott changed completely with Saint Piran sending up two riders – Alexander Richardson and Jack Rootkin-Gray – to join Sam Clark (trainSharp Elite), Ribble’s Zeb Kyffin and Wales Racing Academy’s William Truelove.
Even that group didn’t last too long, as Scott and Rootkin-Gray attacked coming into the sharp left-hander at Grimston Grange and built up a handy advantage of a dozen or so seconds relatively quickly.
On the final of the three long laps, they were just about reeled in as Saint Piran, WiV and Ribble all worked together to form a group of at least 14 riders which included series leader Rob Scott (WiV SunGod).
But, like most things in this race, the situation didn’t stay still for long as yet another four riders powered off the front in their own attempt to force a move with four laps remaining.
This move, though, was more decisive, as Richardson and Rootkin-Gray found themselves in a strong quartet with Toby Barnes (WiV SunGod) and Stuart Balfour. Working strongly together, they built up a lead of more than 100 seconds over a group of 16 riders which started to fracture as the pace kept getting ratcheted ever higher.
There was to be yet another twist on the race though. Richardson attacked on the penultimate lap and splintered the leading four, with Balfour dropping off into the group behind, Rootkin-Gray just about keeping up half-a-dozen seconds down and Barnes caught in purgatory a minute down on the Saint Piran duo and the same distance ahead of the chasers.
Coming into Ampleforth Abbey to start the final lap, the Saint Piran riders came in together and worked to increase the gap to Barnes.
However, on the final assault of Yearsley Bank disaster struck for Rootkin-Gray as he punctured. A quick service allowed him to retain second on the road – 30 seconds down on Richardson – but it meant the result was put beyond doubt.
The Cornish team took a well-earned one-two with Richardson leading home Rootkin-Gray with an advantage of more than a minute as he continued to run a high pace until the finish.
Having been caught on the final lap by the chasing pack, it wasn’t Toby Barnes who took the final podium spot, but Jake Scott – who prevailed in the group sprint against Finn Crockett (Ribble Weldtite) to continue his string of podium results.
Sixth was enough for Rob Scott to keep hold of the National Road Series lead by 11 points over team-mate Jake Scott, with Finn Crockett third and 30 points down on Rob Scott, WiV SunGod also retain the team lead too, with just the final round at the Beaumont Trophy to go.
Results
Women’s race
Men’s race
National Road Series standings
Women’s individual
Women’s team
Men’s individual
Men’s team
Share this:
Discover more from The British Continental
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.