Features Reports

2023 Ilkley Cycle Races: report and results

The 2023 Ilkley Cycle Races were won by Millie Couzens and Matt Fox, Friday 30 June

Millie Couzens (Fenix-Deceuninck) won the Ilkley CC Women’s Grand Prix, winning the sprint from a small lead group. In the Lister Horsfall Men’s Grand Prix, Matt Fox (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli), followed up his second place at Otley with his biggest win yet.

Featured photo: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com

Ilkley CC Women’s Grand Prix

Report

On a cool grey evening in Ilkley Fenix-Deceuninck Millie Couzens was clearly eager to race. In a strong statement of intent from the 19-year-old Women’s WorldTour rider, starting on the front row, she clipped in first as the flag dropped and led the 97-strong peloton into the first corner and up the sharp ramps of Riddings Road. First on the first lap, and importantly, first on the last too.

2023 British Cycling Women’s National Circuit Series – 2023 Ilkley Cycle Races – Ilkley CC Women’s Grand Prix – Ilkley, England – Francesca Hall of Loughborough Lightning. Image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com

In between these two laps, the race involved a slow whittling down process, a combination of the tough climb up Riddings and the pace being set on the front serving to drop riders off the back, one by one.

Seemingly determined to make a night of it, Couzens mopped up the first intermediate sprint, setting the pace as the peloton continued fragmented. With five laps remaining, Frankie Hall (Loughborough Lightning) driving the pace, the bunch was down to just 20 riders.

2023 British Cycling Women’s National Circuit Series – 2023 Ilkley Cycle Races – Ilkley CC Women’s Grand Prix – Ilkley, England – Jo Tindley of Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen 200 Degrees Coffee with Flora Perkins of Fenix-Deceuninck Development Team and Sammie Stuart of DAS – Handsling Bikes. Image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com

Two laps later and there were just a dozen riders left out front. Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee had four in the group – Corinne Side, Jo Tindley, Amy Gornall and Bexy Dew – while DAS-Handsling had three – Monica Greenwood, Grace Lister and Lucy Lee. Up against the might of these two teams were Couzens and her stablemate from the Fenix-Deceuninck Development squad, Flora Perkins, Maddie Leech (Lifeplus-Wahoo), Frankie Hall (Loughborough Lightning) and Isabell Darvill (Team Spectra Cannondale).

At this point, Gornall attacked, but she was reeled back in, and by the time the last lap bell arrived, the twelve were still all together.

As the leaders flew down Grove Road back toward the start-finish line, light drizzle now falling, it was Couzens and Perkins who got their timing, positioning and power right, Couzens storming across the line first, less than half a wheel ahead of Perkins, with Darvill claiming third.

2023 British Cycling Women’s National Circuit Series – 2023 Ilkley Cycle Races – Ilkley CC Women’s Grand Prix – Ilkley, England – Millie Couzens of Fenix-Deceuninck Development Team Wins with Flora Perkins of Fenix-Deceuninck Development in second. Image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com

Couzens’ win means she now takes the lead in the National Circuit Series individual classification, thanks to her 4th place at Otley on Wednesday, while Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee lead the team competition (see standings below).

Results

Rank#NameTeamTime
174Millie CouzensFenix-Deceuninck45:42
275Flora PerkinsFenix-Deceuninck Development Teamst
390Isabel DarvillTeam Spectra Cannondalest
456Corinne SidePro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffeest
579Madelaine LeechLifeplus Wahoost
658Jo TindleyPro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffeest
755Amy GornallPro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffeest
848Francesca HallLoughborough Lightningst
921Lucy LeeDAS – Handsling Bikesst
1022Grace ListerDAS – Handsling Bikesst
1123Monica GreenwoodDAS – Handsling Bikesst
1253Bexy DewPro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffeest
1354Lucy EllmorePro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee+42
1426Sammie StuartDAS – Handsling Bikesst
1564Sian MarshTeam Boompodsst
1637Sannah ZamanHutchinson – Brother UKst
172Arianne HollandAlba Development Road Teamst
1882Amira MellorRibble Collective+49
1991Josie KnightTeam Spectra Cannondale+1:41
2065Ellen McDermottTeam Boompodsst
2152Robyn ClayPro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffeest
2295Morven YeomanTorellist
237Connie HayesAWOL OShea+1:45
248Francesca Morgans-SladerAWOL OShea+2:10
2563Jayati HineTeam Boompodsst
2662Annamarie LippSaint Piran WRTst
2728Maddie HeywoodFTP – Fulfil The Potential – Racingst
281Daisy BarnesAlba Development Road Teamst
2929Elizabeth SandersFTP – Fulfil The Potential – Racingst
3042Abi PlowmanJadan Vive le Velo Glasdonst
3146Lucy NeathamLDN-Academy+2:14
3293Mia RutterfordTofauti Everyone Active+2:38
3385Erin AvillStorey Racingst
3484Olivia FrenchStolenGoat Race Teamst
3527Sophie ThackrayDAS – Handsling Bikes+2:47
3688Alderney BakerTeam Empella+1 Lap
3740Beth Harley-JepsonJadan Vive le Velo Glasdon+2 Laps
3851Anya TamplinLoughborough Lightning+2 Laps
394Amelia TylerAlba Development Road Team+3 Laps
4097Kat HandyValley Striders CC+3 Laps
4166Gemma MitchellTeam Boompods+4 Laps
4281Sarah BriggsRFDA+4 Laps
4338Skye DavidsonJadan Vive le Velo Glasdon+4 Laps
4420Emma JeffersDAS – Handsling Bikes+4 Laps
4514Harriet GrahamBrother UK – Orientation Marketing+4 Laps
4619Hope InglisBrother UK – Orientation Marketing+4 Laps
4743Abbie TaylorJadan Vive le Velo Glasdon+4 Laps
4857Millie SkinnerPro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee+4 Laps
4917Lotta MansfieldBrother UK – Orientation Marketing+4 Laps
5069Adele BattersbyWahoo – Le Col+4 Laps
5186Nicola SodenTactic UK WRT+4 Laps
5260Hannah BayesSaint Piran WRT+4 Laps
5392Jenny HollTEKKERZ CC+4 Laps
5476Isabella JohnsonLAKA Pedal Mafia RT+4 Laps
5550Roisin LallyLoughborough Lightning+4 Laps
5641Grace NormanJadan Vive le Velo Glasdon+4 Laps
5710Jacqueline KinseyAWOL Worx Galliard+4 Laps
5847Natasha ReddyLDN-Academy+4 Laps
5915Millie JenkinsBrother UK – Orientation Marketing+4 Laps
6013Lotty DawsonBrother UK – Orientation Marketing+4 Laps
6118Maisy VasicBrother UK – Orientation Marketing+5 Laps
6211Amelia SouthallAWOL Worx Galliard+5 Laps
6339Lola EllisJadan Vive le Velo Glasdon+6 Laps
3Victoria SmithAlba Development Road TeamDNF
12Ellen BennettBrother UK – Orientation MarketingDNF
31Molly PatchHutchinson – Brother UKDNF
32Samantha FawcettHutchinson – Brother UKDNF
44Louise DavidsonLDN-AcademyDNF
71Lauren LanghamWahoo – Le ColDNF
5Evie WhiteAlba Development Road TeamDNS
6Georgia BullardAWOL OSheaDNS
9Gabriella ButlerAWOL Worx GalliardDNS
24Beth MorrowDAS – Handsling BikesDNS
25Katie ScottDAS – Handsling BikesDNS
 30Rosie WaylandFTP – Fulfil The Potential – RacingDNS
33Tiffany KeepHutchinson – Brother UKDNS
34Tamsin MillerHutchinson – Brother UKDNS
35Polly MilsomHutchinson – Brother UKDNS
36Lydia WattsHutchinson – Brother UKDNS
45Faith HammondLDN-AcademyDNS
49Amber HardingLoughborough LightningDNS
59Megan WalkerPro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees CoffeeDNS
61Sophie HolmesSaint Piran WRTDNS
67Katarzyna MadejTeam BoompodsDNS
68Coralie ArthurWahoo – Le ColDNS
70Maya BranfootWahoo – Le ColDNS
72Hayley PreenTorelliDNS
73ABi  SmithEF Education-TIBCO-SVBDNS
77Caitlin DimblebyLe Col Race TeamDNS
78Emily ProudLe Col Race TeamDNS
80Kate RichardsonLifeplus WahooDNS
83Lucy GloverShibden Hope Tech ApexDNS
87Isabella TorrieTactic UK WRTDNS
89Megan BarkerTeam InspiredDNS
94Hayley PreenTorelliDNS
96Georgina OakleyDNS
16Amber Junker-BrameldBrother UK – Orientation MarketingDSQ

Lister Horsfall Men’s Grand Prix

Report

Gentle rain before the men’s race made for damp roads as the peloton rolled out from the start-finish line outside Bettys Café Tea Rooms, the light beginning to fade as the evening wore on.

The pace was fast and frenetic from the off but the race remained all together in the initial stages, the main action occurring at the back, as riders began to lose touch with the flying bunch.

The move of the race began with Embark Spirit BSS’ George Kimber charging through the finish line to take an intermediate sprint ahead of a thinning bunch. Kimber used that as the launch pad to pull clear, moving ahead with Saint Piran’s Adam Lewis.

British Cycling Men’s National Circuit Series – 2023 Ilkley Cycle Races – Lister Horsfall Men’s Grand Prix – Ilkley, England – George Kimber of Embark Spirit BSS. Image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com

The race was temporarily paused for an ambulance to cross the course, restarting a few minutes later, the time gaps reinstated.

Matt Fox (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) and Ed Morgan (Wales Racing Academy) bridged across to Kimber and Lewis to make it a handy break of four. Behind them, a group of around 15-20 riders included dangermen such as Sam Culverwell (Dolan Ellesse RT), Jacob Scott (Bolton Equities Black Spoke) and Jim Brown (Cross Team Legendre).

British Cycling Men’s National Circuit Series – 2023 Ilkley Cycle Races – Lister Horsfall Men’s Grand Prix – Ilkley, England – Sam Culverwell of Dolan Ellesse Race Team. Image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com

As Kimber took yet another intermediate sprint, the gap was just 12 seconds, still very much in the balance. But a few laps later the advantage had edged out to 22 seconds. It looked like it could be the break’s night.

With two to go, the pace proved too much for Lewis, dropping back as Kimber drove the remaining trio across the line. With their advantage over the chasers secure, it was now a case of which of the three would win.

Fox is a fast finisher, he proved that on Wednesday when he led home the bunch at Otley to finish second, and he made full use of his speed and power, charging along The Grove to finish several bike lengths clear of Morgan, with Kimber third.

British Cycling Men’s National Circuit Series – 2023 Ilkley Cycle Races – Lister Horsfall Men’s Grand Prix – Ilkley, England – Matthew Fox of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli wins with Edward Morgan of Wales Racing Academy in second and George Kimber of Embark Spirit BSS in third. Image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com

Lewis clung on for fourth, while Tim Shoreman rounded off another superb night for Wheelbase CabTech Castelli to lead home the chase group.

Fox is the new leader of the National Circuit Series ahead of the third round next week in Guildford – 14 points clear of teammate Shoreman – while his team Wheelbase CabTech Castelli are the team classification leaders too.

Results

Rank#NameTeamTime
148Matthew FoxWheelbase CabTech Castelli55:53
246Ed MorganWales Racing Academyst
364George KimberEmbark Spirit BSSst
422Adam LewisSaint Piran+21
553Tim ShoremanWheelbase CabTech Castelli+25
637Ollie PeckovertrainSharp Elitest
768Max RushbyMateriel-Velo.Comst
890Jim BrownCross Team Legendrest
95Cai DaviesKalas Motip Race Teamst
1072Ben ChiltonRibble Collectivest
1191Joseph Smithst
123James McKayCycling Sheffieldst
1361Sam CulverwellDolan Ellesse Race Teamst
1480Daniel BarnesTeam Spectra Cannondalest
1573Tom CouzensRibble Collectivest
1667Rowan BakerLondon Dynamost
1752Lee RosieWheelbase CabTech Castellist
1854Jacob SmithWheelbase CabTech Castellist
1947Thomas ArmstrongWheelbase CabTech Castelli+30
2032Alec BriggsTEKKERZ CCst
2131Kieran RileyTeam PB Performance+35
2226Bradley SymondsSaint Piranst
2384William SmithTrinity Racing+40
2434Benjamin TuchnerTEKKERZ CCst
2592Jacob ScottBolton Equities Black Spoke+53
2678Harry MacfarlaneTAAP Endura+58
2717David HirdROKiT – SRCT+1:16
2845William HardingWales Racing Academy+4 Laps
2971Nicholas CooperNordic Sports Academy S. C.+4 Laps
3021Tom WilliamsROKiT – SRCT+4 Laps
312James HartleyCycling Sheffield+4 Laps
3259Alistair SlaterClancy Briggs Cycling Academy+4 Laps
331Joe CoukhamCycling Sheffield+4 Laps
3424Lucas JowettSaint Piran+4 Laps
3525Leon MazzoneSaint Piran+4 Laps
3643Spencer DaviesWales Racing Academy+4 Laps
378Cameron McLarenKalas Motip Race Team+4 Laps
3811Daniel McDermottMoonglu Race Team+4 Laps
3918Josh PriceROKiT – SRCT+4 Laps
4029Tom PalfreyTeam PB Performance+4 Laps
4128Liam FlanneryTeam PB Performance+4 Laps
4230Harry PaveleyTeam PB Performance+4 Laps
4344Griff LewisWales Racing Academy+4 Laps
4474Alex PetersRichardsons Trek DAS+4 Laps
4515Joseph BeckinsaleROKiT – SRCT+4 Laps
4614William TaylorMoonglu Race Team+4 Laps
4763Sam KettlewellEmbark Spirit BSS+4 Laps
4860Tobias BartlettDoddington Cycling Club+4 Laps
4913Ben PeaseMoonglu Race Team+4 Laps
5066Julian RocheGSC BLAGNAC VS 31+4 Laps
519Vaughn PretoriusKalas Motip Race Team+4 Laps
527William JewittKalas Motip Race Team+4 Laps
5369Felix WhetterMid Devon CC+4 Laps
5455David BollandArmy Cycling Union+4 Laps
5556Sean DodsworthArmy Cycling Union+4 Laps
5657Ben EtheringtonBCC Race Team+4 Laps
5719William TrueloveROKiT – SRCT+4 Laps
5820Matthew WarhurstROKiT – SRCT+5 Laps
5975Oliver DawsonRTD – JsCycleShack+5 Laps
6039Tim TorrietrainSharp Elite+5 Laps
6176Conal DavidsonSpokes Racing Team+5 Laps
6216Matthew EllisROKiT – SRCT+5 Laps
6385Harry JohnsonVC St Raphael+5 Laps
4James WordsworthCycling SheffieldDNF
10David RoperKalas Motip Race TeamDNF
12Ben MewesMoonglu Race TeamDNF
33Olivier ManghamTEKKERZ CCDNF
36Samuel ClarktrainSharp EliteDNF
41Ben BrightWales Racing AcademyDNF
49Aaron KingWheelbase CabTech CastelliDNF
50Callum LabordeWheelbase CabTech CastelliDNF
51Tom MartinWheelbase CabTech CastelliDNF
62Sam HollisEiser HirumetDNF
83Joe PidcockTrinity RacingDNF
88Dexter Leeming-SykesWold Top The Edge PactimoDNF
6Harry GreenKalas Motip Race TeamDNS
23Tom MazzoneSaint PiranDNS
27William TidballSaint PiranDNS
35James BevantrainSharp EliteDNS
38Sam ShepherdtrainSharp EliteDNS
40Matt WebstertrainSharp EliteDNS
42Huw Buck JonesWales Racing AcademyDNS
58Leon BrownBridgnorth Cycling ClubDNS
65Tiago FougoGiant Dijon Track Team (UCI Track Team)DNS
70Ross BirrellMini DiscarDNS
77Keir GaffneySpokes Racing TeamDNS
79Harvey StrohTAAP EnduraDNS
81Finn CrockettThe Cycling AcademyDNS
82Archie EllenThe Cycling AcademyDNS
86Benjamin HelleboWheelsuckersDNS
87Finlay TarlingWillebrord Wil VooruitDNS
89Isaac Lawrence0503DNS

National Circuit Series standings

Women’s

Individual

RankNameTeamPoints
1Millie CouzensFenix-Deceuninck94
2Corinne SidePro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee78
3Flora PerkinsFenix-Deceuninck Development Team75
4Isabel DarvillTeam Spectra Cannondale75
5Jo TindleyPro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee68
6Robyn ClayPro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee66
7Monica GreenwoodDAS – Handsling Bikes62
8Lucy LeeDAS – Handsling Bikes60
9Amy GornallPro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee57
10Jayati HineTeam Boompods54
11Bexy DewPro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee53
12Sophie LewisDAS – Handsling Bikes50
13Cat FergusonShibden Hope Tech Apex48
14Francesca Morgans-SladerAWOL OShea47
15Lucy GloverShibden Hope Tech Apex42
16Madelaine LeechLifeplus Wahoo42
17Imogen WolffShibden Hope Tech Apex40
18Sammie StuartDAS – Handsling Bikes38
19Ellen McDermottTeam Boompods37
20Francesca HallLoughborough Lightning36
21Emma JeffersDAS – Handsling Bikes36
22Amira MellorRibble Collective36
23Sannah ZamanHutchinson – Brother UK33
24Grace ListerDAS – Handsling Bikes32
25Lucy EllmorePro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee28
26Sian MarshTeam Boompods26
27Harriet GrahamBrother UK – Orientation Marketing25
28Arianne HollandAlba Development Road Team24
29Tiffany KeepHutchinson – Brother UK23
30Josie KnightTeam Spectra Cannondale22
31Alice CollingShibden Hope Tech Apex22
32Emily ProudLe Col Race Team21
33Libby SmithsonAWOL OShea20
34Morven YeomanTorelli19
35Lucy NelsonTeam Spectra Cannondale18
36Connie HayesAWOL OShea18
37Matilda McKibbenLiv Cycling Club – Halo Films17
38Annamarie LippSaint Piran WRT15
39Lauren RobinsonTeam Boompods15
40Samantha FawcettHutchinson – Brother UK14
41Maddie HeywoodFTP – Fulfil The Potential – Racing14
42Beth Harley-JepsonJadan Vive le Velo Glasdon13
43Daisy BarnesAlba Development Road Team13
44Elizabeth SandersFTP – Fulfil The Potential – Racing12
45Esther WongShibden Hope Tech Apex12
46Abi PlowmanJadan Vive le Velo Glasdon11
47Xan CreesTeam Spectra Cannondale10
48Lucy NeathamLDN-Academy10
49Mia RutterfordTofauti Everyone Active9
50Erin AvillStorey Racing9
51Olivia FrenchStolenGoat Race Team7
52Lydia WattsHutchinson – Brother UK7
53Sophie ThackrayDAS – Handsling Bikes6
54Sophie EneverAlba Development Road Team6
55Caitlin DimblebyLe Col Race Team5
56Alderney BakerTeam Empella5
57Megan BarkerTeam Inspired4
58Amelia TylerAlba Development Road Team4
59Sian BotteleyHutchinson – Brother UK3
60Anya TamplinLoughborough Lightning3
61Kat HandyValley Striders CC1

Team

RankTeam Points
1Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee230
2DAS – Handsling Bikes214
3Team Boompods132
4Shibden Hope Tech Apex130
5Hutchinson – Brother UK70
6Team Spectra Cannondale57
7AWOL OShea50
8Alba Development Road Team47
9Loughborough Lightning39
10Brother UK – Orientation Marketing25
11Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon24
12LDN-Academy10

Men’s

Individual

RankNameTeamPoints
1Matthew FoxWheelbase CabTech Castelli98
2Tim ShoremanWheelbase CabTech Castelli84
3Jim BrownCross Team Legendre82
4Ben ChiltonRibble Collective76
5Ollie PeckovertrainSharp Elite72
6Cai DaviesKalas Motip Race Team60
7Robert DonaldsonTrinity Racing50
8George KimberEmbark Spirit BSS49
9Sam CulverwellDolan Ellesse Race Team48
10Ed MorganWales Racing Academy48
11Daniel BarnesTeam Spectra Cannondale46
12Adam LewisSaint Piran44
13Tom CouzensRibble Collective43
14Leon MazzoneSaint Piran42
15Harry BirchillSaint Piran40
16Bradley SymondsSaint Piran40
17David HirdROKiT – SRCT38
18Thomas ArmstrongWheelbase CabTech Castelli38
19Dexter Leeming-SykesWold Top The Edge Pactimo38
20Max RushbyMateriel-Velo.Com38
21Rowan BakerLondon Dynamo36
22Oliver Wood34
23James HartleyCycling Sheffield33
24Joseph Smith30
25William TrueloveROKiT – SRCT30
26Tom MazzoneSaint Piran29
27James McKayCycling Sheffield29
28Joe PidcockTrinity Racing28
29Callum LabordeWheelbase CabTech Castelli27
30Jacob SmithWheelbase CabTech Castelli25
31Huw Buck JonesWales Racing Academy25
32Lee RosieWheelbase CabTech Castelli24
33Tom WilliamsROKiT – SRCT23
34Finn CrockettSaint Piran22
35Alec BriggsTEKKERZ CC21
36Kieran RileyTeam PB Performance20
37Josh HousleyDerby CC Webuycycle Huub RT18
38William SmithTrinity Racing18
39Josh PriceROKiT – SRCT17
40Benjamin TuchnerTEKKERZ CC17
41Jacob ScottBolton Equities Black Spoke16
42Harry MacfarlaneTAAP Endura15
43Oliver DawsonRTD – JsCycleShack14
44Sebastian GrindleyMAS Design – Fensham Howes13
45William HardingWales Racing Academy13
46Nicholas CooperNordic Sports Academy S. C.12
47Harry PaveleyTeam PB Performance10
48Will PerrettEmbark Spirit BSS9
49Alistair SlaterClancy Briggs Cycling Academy9
50Tom PalfreyTeam PB Performance9
51Daniel McDermottMoonglu Race Team9
52Joe CoukhamCycling Sheffield8
53Lucas JowettSaint Piran7
54Joe HoltTEKKERZ CC7
55Spencer DaviesWales Racing Academy5
56Hugo Lutz AtkinsonRibble rechrg Race Team5
57Joseph BeckinsaleROKiT – SRCT4
58Cameron McLarenKalas Motip Race Team4
59Ben BrightWales Racing Academy1

Team

RankTeamPoints
1Wheelbase CabTech Castelli233
2Saint Piran175
3ROKiT – SRCT96
4Wales Racing Academy92
5Trinity Racing78
6trainSharp Elite72
7Cycling Sheffield70
8Kalas Motip Race Team64
9TEKKERZ CC45
10Team PB Performance39
11Embark Spirit BSS12
12Moonglu Race Team9
13Ribble rechrg Race Team5

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