The second Under-23 Men’s National Road Series begins on Sunday 16 April with the PB Performance Espoirs road race. Here’s a preview of the race, including route details, contenders, startlist and timings.
What is it?
The first of four rounds of the 2023 Under-23 Men’s National Road Series, the PB Performance Espoirs road race is a 144km road race in northwest Leicestershire. The race is brand new, organised by Louise and Paul Bennett, managers of Team PB Performance. With other members and friends of the team part of the race organising crew, the race is a great example of a team helping to support the domestic racing calendar.
Team PB Performance’s Jacques Coates, who races on Sunday. Image: Gary Main
Route
The race takes in ten laps of the Breedon Circuit, north of Coalville. With only 148m of elevation per lap, this is a fairly typical National B circuit featuring rolling roads and no major climbs. Guile, strength, good timing and a bit of luck is likely to be the order of the day for the eventual winner.
After rolling out from the race HQ at the Coalville Wheelers HQ in Griffydam, riders will tackle the circuit in an anti-clockwise direction. From the finish line just north of Griffydam, the circuit heads north along the quiet, gently descending Top Brand road until reaches a roundabout just ahead of the A42 flyover.
Roundabout negotiated, there is then a sharper descent as the circuit joins the A453. At the end of the road, five kilometres in, there is a left turn onto Main Street. Heading east, the circuit has a short rise – a good point to attack, perhaps – before the road levels out as the circuit heads southwest into Breedon on the Hill. Here, riders will need to take care of the speed humps in the village.
From Breedon on the Hill, the road continues broadly south, gently rising all the time, until a left-turn onto Melbourne Road just before Lount. The circuit stays on this road for two kilometres, ending with a short descent before another left, this time onto Rempstone Road.
This is the final stretch now, two kilometres from the finish line. The road descends once more until about 800 metres to go. The road then kicks up for half a kilometre – the steepest part of the road rising to 11% – until a final left about 300 m from the line and a final drag to the chequered flag.
Contenders
With most of the riders that have so far dominated the national road race rankings so far this season not an under-23, this is an opportunity for a rider to make their mark on the 2023 season.
Who to watch then?
Rowan Baker (London Dynamo) has been one of the most impressive under-23s on the national road racing circuit this season, finishing 5th at the Perfs Pedal and then 2nd at the Jock Wadley. This circuit could suit him too, but with no teammates for support, he’ll need to rely on temporary alliances and avoid untimely mechanicals to win.
In contrast, the Wales Racing Academy has options. Huw Buck Jones sits 8th on our rankings after finishing 4th overall at the Peaks 2 Day and 7th at Capernwray. Benjamin Bright and Fred Meredith have also had consistent starts to the year.
Another form rider is Jacob Smith (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli). Smith won the Peaks 2 Day time trial up Holme Moss, as well as finishing second at Capernwray on the steep Sunny Bank finish. He has just returned to the UK after a stint racing in Belgium during which he picked up second at the Meer kermesse.
William Truelove (ROKiT-SRCT) is another rider going well. 11th is his lowest placing in a National B this year so far. As too is Dexter Leeming-Sykes (Wold Top The Edge Pactimo), who was 6th overall at the Peaks 2 Day and has recently been on the podium in amateur races in Spain.
Sam Clark (trainSharp) wins the 2022 Yorkshire Under-23 Classic. Image: Joe Cotterill
Sam Clark (trainSharp Elite) won the opening round of last year’s series, the Yorkshire Under-23 Classic, and will no doubt be keen to repeat this feat again. Ross Birrell, one of the riders to fall foul of AT85 Pro Cycling’s closure, has the talent to win a race like this, although his form hasn’t yet shone this year so far.
Who else? Jacques Coates(Team PB Performance) was second at the Betty Pharoah Memorial, George Wood(Cycling Sheffield) is often there or thereabouts in National B races, Matthew Houlberg (Embark Spirit BSS) has been in among the placings this season, and Joseph Smith (Private Member) is a first-year under-23 with a lot of potential.
Finally, lurking on the Reserves list are Harry Birchill and Josh Charlton (both Saint Piran), who will both be a threat if they take to the start on Sunday.
Timings
The race begins at 14.00.
Weather
The weather looks just grand for riders and spectators alike.
How to follow
Team PB Performance plans to provide updates throughout the race on Instagram.
The second Under-23 Men’s National Road Series begins on Sunday 16 April with the PB Performance Espoirs road race. Here’s a preview of the race, including route details, contenders, startlist and timings.
What is it?
The first of four rounds of the 2023 Under-23 Men’s National Road Series, the PB Performance Espoirs road race is a 144km road race in northwest Leicestershire. The race is brand new, organised by Louise and Paul Bennett, managers of Team PB Performance. With other members and friends of the team part of the race organising crew, the race is a great example of a team helping to support the domestic racing calendar.
Route
The race takes in ten laps of the Breedon Circuit, north of Coalville. With only 148m of elevation per lap, this is a fairly typical National B circuit featuring rolling roads and no major climbs. Guile, strength, good timing and a bit of luck is likely to be the order of the day for the eventual winner.
After rolling out from the race HQ at the Coalville Wheelers HQ in Griffydam, riders will tackle the circuit in an anti-clockwise direction. From the finish line just north of Griffydam, the circuit heads north along the quiet, gently descending Top Brand road until reaches a roundabout just ahead of the A42 flyover.
Roundabout negotiated, there is then a sharper descent as the circuit joins the A453. At the end of the road, five kilometres in, there is a left turn onto Main Street. Heading east, the circuit has a short rise – a good point to attack, perhaps – before the road levels out as the circuit heads southwest into Breedon on the Hill. Here, riders will need to take care of the speed humps in the village.
From Breedon on the Hill, the road continues broadly south, gently rising all the time, until a left-turn onto Melbourne Road just before Lount. The circuit stays on this road for two kilometres, ending with a short descent before another left, this time onto Rempstone Road.
This is the final stretch now, two kilometres from the finish line. The road descends once more until about 800 metres to go. The road then kicks up for half a kilometre – the steepest part of the road rising to 11% – until a final left about 300 m from the line and a final drag to the chequered flag.
Contenders
With most of the riders that have so far dominated the national road race rankings so far this season not an under-23, this is an opportunity for a rider to make their mark on the 2023 season.
Who to watch then?
Rowan Baker (London Dynamo) has been one of the most impressive under-23s on the national road racing circuit this season, finishing 5th at the Perfs Pedal and then 2nd at the Jock Wadley. This circuit could suit him too, but with no teammates for support, he’ll need to rely on temporary alliances and avoid untimely mechanicals to win.
In contrast, the Wales Racing Academy has options. Huw Buck Jones sits 8th on our rankings after finishing 4th overall at the Peaks 2 Day and 7th at Capernwray. Benjamin Bright and Fred Meredith have also had consistent starts to the year.
Another form rider is Jacob Smith (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli). Smith won the Peaks 2 Day time trial up Holme Moss, as well as finishing second at Capernwray on the steep Sunny Bank finish. He has just returned to the UK after a stint racing in Belgium during which he picked up second at the Meer kermesse.
William Truelove (ROKiT-SRCT) is another rider going well. 11th is his lowest placing in a National B this year so far. As too is Dexter Leeming-Sykes (Wold Top The Edge Pactimo), who was 6th overall at the Peaks 2 Day and has recently been on the podium in amateur races in Spain.
Sam Clark (trainSharp Elite) won the opening round of last year’s series, the Yorkshire Under-23 Classic, and will no doubt be keen to repeat this feat again. Ross Birrell, one of the riders to fall foul of AT85 Pro Cycling’s closure, has the talent to win a race like this, although his form hasn’t yet shone this year so far.
Who else? Jacques Coates (Team PB Performance) was second at the Betty Pharoah Memorial, George Wood (Cycling Sheffield) is often there or thereabouts in National B races, Matthew Houlberg (Embark Spirit BSS) has been in among the placings this season, and Joseph Smith (Private Member) is a first-year under-23 with a lot of potential.
Finally, lurking on the Reserves list are Harry Birchill and Josh Charlton (both Saint Piran), who will both be a threat if they take to the start on Sunday.
Timings
The race begins at 14.00.
Weather
The weather looks just grand for riders and spectators alike.
How to follow
Team PB Performance plans to provide updates throughout the race on Instagram.
Find out more
Under-23 Men’s National Road Series: an explainer
Provisional startlist
See the startlist on our beta stats website here.
Reserves
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