Adam Lewis (Saint Piran) took the win at the 2023 GA Bennett road race p/b Pedal Pushers of Grantham, hot on the heels of his podium at the Olveston GP the previous day.
After a long neutral role out a full field set off for six and three-quarter laps of the Witham Wheelers road race circuit, taking in narrow, slightly gravelly lanes just south of Grantham.
Adam Kenway (Derby CC) was active at the front of the peloton and made an early solo move. Two riders bridged to Kenway but soon after the escape was shut down.
Undetermined, Kenway was soon back at the front of the bunch trying to force a move. A lap later he got away once more, this time joined by Alex Pritchard (HUUB WattShop), Matthew Lock (TAAP) and Gary Freeman (Orwell Velo). With some significant horsepower behind and most major teams unrepresented, the break was kept on a short leash. By the time the race had made it back to the feed zone with three laps remaining, the race was back as one.
Moonglu RT and Cycling Sheffield drove the pace hard on the course’s only small climb. With just less than 50km to go a break of nine riders went clear on the descent into Skillington. The group included Ben Pease (Moonglu RT), Adam Lewis (Saint Piran), James Hartley (Cycling Sheffield), Alex Pritchard again, Josh Housley (Derby CC Webuycycle Huub RT), Jack Cutsforth (SPATZWEAR), Joshua Ravn (Wold Top The Edge Pactimo), Dean Watson (Embark Spirit BSS) and Rhys Howells (Richardsons Trek DAS).
With all major teams well represented would this be the move that stuck?
As the race entered the final lap, the leaders had a gap of 42 seconds over the peloton, with Ollie Peckover (trainSharp) in the gap attempting to bridge over. The break, now reduced to seven riders after Hill and Howells were dropped, would successfully remain clear of the chase.
Lewis won the sprint, drawing out a few bike lengths over the rest of the break. Pease finished second, with Cutsforth third.
After a challenging start to the season with illness and crashes, Lewis will no doubt be delighted with his performances this weekend. With a third at the Olveston GP and the win here, Lewis looks set for a return to form for the second half of the season. His haul of 105 rankings points also jumps him up to 20th in The British Continental national road race rankings.
The bunch sprint behind Lewis and co. was won by James McKay (Cycling Sheffield), bagging more points to close the gap between him and Alexandar Richardson at the top of The British Continental rankings. McKay told us after the race that his focus was now on preparing for next month’s National Road Championships.
Adam Lewis (Saint Piran) took the win at the 2023 GA Bennett road race p/b Pedal Pushers of Grantham, hot on the heels of his podium at the Olveston GP the previous day.
You can read our race preview here.
Featured image: Emma Wilcock
Report
After a long neutral role out a full field set off for six and three-quarter laps of the Witham Wheelers road race circuit, taking in narrow, slightly gravelly lanes just south of Grantham.
Adam Kenway (Derby CC) was active at the front of the peloton and made an early solo move. Two riders bridged to Kenway but soon after the escape was shut down.
Undetermined, Kenway was soon back at the front of the bunch trying to force a move. A lap later he got away once more, this time joined by Alex Pritchard (HUUB WattShop), Matthew Lock (TAAP) and Gary Freeman (Orwell Velo). With some significant horsepower behind and most major teams unrepresented, the break was kept on a short leash. By the time the race had made it back to the feed zone with three laps remaining, the race was back as one.
Moonglu RT and Cycling Sheffield drove the pace hard on the course’s only small climb. With just less than 50km to go a break of nine riders went clear on the descent into Skillington. The group included Ben Pease (Moonglu RT), Adam Lewis (Saint Piran), James Hartley (Cycling Sheffield), Alex Pritchard again, Josh Housley (Derby CC Webuycycle Huub RT), Jack Cutsforth (SPATZWEAR), Joshua Ravn (Wold Top The Edge Pactimo), Dean Watson (Embark Spirit BSS) and Rhys Howells (Richardsons Trek DAS).
With all major teams well represented would this be the move that stuck?
As the race entered the final lap, the leaders had a gap of 42 seconds over the peloton, with Ollie Peckover (trainSharp) in the gap attempting to bridge over. The break, now reduced to seven riders after Hill and Howells were dropped, would successfully remain clear of the chase.
Lewis won the sprint, drawing out a few bike lengths over the rest of the break. Pease finished second, with Cutsforth third.
After a challenging start to the season with illness and crashes, Lewis will no doubt be delighted with his performances this weekend. With a third at the Olveston GP and the win here, Lewis looks set for a return to form for the second half of the season. His haul of 105 rankings points also jumps him up to 20th in The British Continental national road race rankings.
The bunch sprint behind Lewis and co. was won by James McKay (Cycling Sheffield), bagging more points to close the gap between him and Alexandar Richardson at the top of The British Continental rankings. McKay told us after the race that his focus was now on preparing for next month’s National Road Championships.
Results
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