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
#
Name
Team
Time
1
74
Millie Couzens
Fenix-Deceuninck
45:42
2
75
Flora Perkins
Fenix-Deceuninck Development Team
st
3
90
Isabel Darvill
Team Spectra Cannondale
st
4
56
Corinne Side
Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee
st
5
79
Madelaine Leech
Lifeplus Wahoo
st
6
58
Jo Tindley
Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee
st
7
55
Amy Gornall
Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee
st
8
48
Francesca Hall
Loughborough Lightning
st
9
21
Lucy Lee
DAS – Handsling Bikes
st
10
22
Grace Lister
DAS – Handsling Bikes
st
11
23
Monica Greenwood
DAS – Handsling Bikes
st
12
53
Bexy Dew
Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee
st
13
54
Lucy Ellmore
Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee
+42
14
26
Sammie Stuart
DAS – Handsling Bikes
st
15
64
Sian Marsh
Team Boompods
st
16
37
Sannah Zaman
Hutchinson – Brother UK
st
17
2
Arianne Holland
Alba Development Road Team
st
18
82
Amira Mellor
Ribble Collective
+49
19
91
Josie Knight
Team Spectra Cannondale
+1:41
20
65
Ellen McDermott
Team Boompods
st
21
52
Robyn Clay
Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee
st
22
95
Morven Yeoman
Torelli
st
23
7
Connie Hayes
AWOL OShea
+1:45
24
8
Francesca Morgans-Slader
AWOL OShea
+2:10
25
63
Jayati Hine
Team Boompods
st
26
62
Annamarie Lipp
Saint Piran WRT
st
27
28
Maddie Heywood
FTP – Fulfil The Potential – Racing
st
28
1
Daisy Barnes
Alba Development Road Team
st
29
29
Elizabeth Sanders
FTP – Fulfil The Potential – Racing
st
30
42
Abi Plowman
Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon
st
31
46
Lucy Neatham
LDN-Academy
+2:14
32
93
Mia Rutterford
Tofauti Everyone Active
+2:38
33
85
Erin Avill
Storey Racing
st
34
84
Olivia French
StolenGoat Race Team
st
35
27
Sophie Thackray
DAS – Handsling Bikes
+2:47
36
88
Alderney Baker
Team Empella
+1 Lap
37
40
Beth Harley-Jepson
Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon
+2 Laps
38
51
Anya Tamplin
Loughborough Lightning
+2 Laps
39
4
Amelia Tyler
Alba Development Road Team
+3 Laps
40
97
Kat Handy
Valley Striders CC
+3 Laps
41
66
Gemma Mitchell
Team Boompods
+4 Laps
42
81
Sarah Briggs
RFDA
+4 Laps
43
38
Skye Davidson
Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon
+4 Laps
44
20
Emma Jeffers
DAS – Handsling Bikes
+4 Laps
45
14
Harriet Graham
Brother UK – Orientation Marketing
+4 Laps
46
19
Hope Inglis
Brother UK – Orientation Marketing
+4 Laps
47
43
Abbie Taylor
Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon
+4 Laps
48
57
Millie Skinner
Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee
+4 Laps
49
17
Lotta Mansfield
Brother UK – Orientation Marketing
+4 Laps
50
69
Adele Battersby
Wahoo – Le Col
+4 Laps
51
86
Nicola Soden
Tactic UK WRT
+4 Laps
52
60
Hannah Bayes
Saint Piran WRT
+4 Laps
53
92
Jenny Holl
TEKKERZ CC
+4 Laps
54
76
Isabella Johnson
LAKA Pedal Mafia RT
+4 Laps
55
50
Roisin Lally
Loughborough Lightning
+4 Laps
56
41
Grace Norman
Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon
+4 Laps
57
10
Jacqueline Kinsey
AWOL Worx Galliard
+4 Laps
58
47
Natasha Reddy
LDN-Academy
+4 Laps
59
15
Millie Jenkins
Brother UK – Orientation Marketing
+4 Laps
60
13
Lotty Dawson
Brother UK – Orientation Marketing
+4 Laps
61
18
Maisy Vasic
Brother UK – Orientation Marketing
+5 Laps
62
11
Amelia Southall
AWOL Worx Galliard
+5 Laps
63
39
Lola Ellis
Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon
+6 Laps
3
Victoria Smith
Alba Development Road Team
DNF
12
Ellen Bennett
Brother UK – Orientation Marketing
DNF
31
Molly Patch
Hutchinson – Brother UK
DNF
32
Samantha Fawcett
Hutchinson – Brother UK
DNF
44
Louise Davidson
LDN-Academy
DNF
71
Lauren Langham
Wahoo – Le Col
DNF
5
Evie White
Alba Development Road Team
DNS
6
Georgia Bullard
AWOL OShea
DNS
9
Gabriella Butler
AWOL Worx Galliard
DNS
24
Beth Morrow
DAS – Handsling Bikes
DNS
25
Katie Scott
DAS – Handsling Bikes
DNS
30
Rosie Wayland
FTP – Fulfil The Potential – Racing
DNS
33
Tiffany Keep
Hutchinson – Brother UK
DNS
34
Tamsin Miller
Hutchinson – Brother UK
DNS
35
Polly Milsom
Hutchinson – Brother UK
DNS
36
Lydia Watts
Hutchinson – Brother UK
DNS
45
Faith Hammond
LDN-Academy
DNS
49
Amber Harding
Loughborough Lightning
DNS
59
Megan Walker
Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee
DNS
61
Sophie Holmes
Saint Piran WRT
DNS
67
Katarzyna Madej
Team Boompods
DNS
68
Coralie Arthur
Wahoo – Le Col
DNS
70
Maya Branfoot
Wahoo – Le Col
DNS
72
Hayley Preen
Torelli
DNS
73
ABi Smith
EF Education-TIBCO-SVB
DNS
77
Caitlin Dimbleby
Le Col Race Team
DNS
78
Emily Proud
Le Col Race Team
DNS
80
Kate Richardson
Lifeplus Wahoo
DNS
83
Lucy Glover
Shibden Hope Tech Apex
DNS
87
Isabella Torrie
Tactic UK WRT
DNS
89
Megan Barker
Team Inspired
DNS
94
Hayley Preen
Torelli
DNS
96
Georgina Oakley
DNS
16
Amber Junker-Brameld
Brother UK – Orientation Marketing
DSQ
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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).
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.
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
National Circuit Series standings
Women’s
Individual
Team
Men’s
Individual
Team
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