Robyn Clay won the final round of the National Circuit Series at the Newark Town Centre Races as her Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee team-mate Corrine Side secured the Series title with fifth. Pro-Noctis also took the team title.
In the men’s Newark Grand Prix, Alec Briggs (Tekkerz CC) sprinted his way to success just ahead of Matt Fox. Second wasn’t enough for the Series crown, which went to Ribble Collective’s Ben Chilton by just three points. Wheelbase CabTech Castelli claimed the team title over ROKiT-SRCT.
Featured Image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWPix.com
Schwalbe Newark Women’s Grand Prix
Report
Robyn Clay sprinted to victory in the Schwalbe Newark Women’s Grand Prix, the Pro-Noctis rider demonstrating brilliant bike handling skills to take the win from a group of almost twenty riders.
Criterium racing returned to the historic Nottinghamshire market town after a successful debut last year with two cobblestone sectors punctuating the flat course of two halves – fast smooth straights followed by a technical horseshoe round the marketplace; the final, tight right-hand corner, causing chaos in the support races, coming only 50 metres from the finish line.
With Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee having all but sewn up the team classification after their series-long battle with DAS-Handsling, the 50-minute race would decide the individual series winner, with leader with Corrine Side holding a narrow eight-point advantage over local rider and Pro-Noctis team-mate Jo Tindley.
Picture by Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com – 28/07/2023 – Cycling – British Cycling National Circuit Series, Road – Schwalbe Newark Womens Grand Prix, Women’s National Circuit Series – Emily Proud of Le Col Race Team
Despite threatening skies being present for the majority of the day the course stayed dry, much to the relief of the 60-rider field given its slippy and technical nature. Lucy Lee (DAS-Handsling) led a complete peloton through the end of the first lap, DAS-Handsling and Pro-Noctis jerseys dominating the top ten of the single file bunch.
The technical nature of the course claimed its first victims only two laps later, the elastic snapping throughout the strung-out peloton as a group of 16 emerged at the front of the race, dominated by the two squads clear in the team classification.
After making the split, Emily Proud (Le Col Race Team) took up her familiar position at the head of affairs, stretching the gap to ten seconds as the field broke up into a collection of ones and twos behind, the winner looking likely to come from the riders in front.
Proud continued to lead the race through the finish line for the next few laps, with the other teams’ refusal to lend any help allowed a group of ten riders regaining contact with the leading group 15 minutes into the race; three riders from Hutchinson – Brother UK dragging them across. That development ignited the Pro-Noctis squad into life, Bexy Dew taking over from Proud and injecting some pace into the front of the race.
Picture by Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com – 28/07/2023 – Cycling – British Cycling National Circuit Series, Road – Schwalbe Newark Womens Grand Prix, Women’s National Circuit Series – Robyn Clay and Jo Tindley of Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee
The front group was dominated by the DAS-Handsling and Pro-Noctis teams, with six and five riders respectively, as the race reached the halfway point; the nature of the circuit making positioning of paramount importance. Ellen McDermott emerged at the front to take over the pacesetting, one of three Team Boompods representatives in the group; the battle to stay in as hard-fought as the battle for a position on the front as the wait for the attacks to begin continued.
With nine laps to go the status quo ensued, Isabel Darvill (Team Spectra-Cannondale) was active towards the front of the group as she looked to cement her third place in the series. Emily Proud returned to the front of the bunch as the pace increased, the lap time dipping under two minutes for the first time since the start of the race.
Cracks started to appear with four laps to go as the jostling for position hotted up. Riders with the calibre of Lucy Lee were unable to keep up with the ever-increasing pace set by Proud, who remained dedicated to her tactic of riding at the head of affairs, three Pro-Noctis riders glued to her wheel as a very technical sprint looked to be on the cards.
Picture by Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com – 28/07/2023 – Cycling – British Cycling National Circuit Series, Road – Schwalbe Newark Womens Grand Prix, Women’s National Circuit Series – Sammie Stuart DAS – Handsling Bikes
Sammie Stuart (DAS-Handsling) led through the final corner approaching the bell lap but fell victim of it, crashing heavily, all other riders somehow staying upright. The disruption handed the advantage to Pro-Noctis as the perfectly formed DAS-Handsling lead out evaporated.
As the riders took on the technical finish for the final time, it was Lincoln GP winner Robyn Clay (Pro-Noctis) who led the bunch, taking the corner prior to the finish line perfectly as she raised her arms in victory. Just behind was Emma Jeffers (DAS-Handsling) who gained two places round the final corner courtesy of her superb bike handling. Darvill rounded out the podium.
The National Circuit Series title went to fellow Pro-Noctis rider Corinne Side, whose fifth-place finish was enough to secure the crown ahead of team-mate Tindley. The team also secured the team crown by more than 100 points over DAS-Handsling.
Picture by Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com – 28/07/2023 – Cycling – British Cycling National Circuit Series, Road – Schwalbe Newark Womens Grand Prix, Women’s National Circuit Series – Podium: Corinne Side of Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee wins the overall series leader classification
Results
Rank
#
Name
Team
Time
1
32
Robyn Clay
Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee
50:59
2
1
Emma Jeffers
DAS – Handsling Bikes
st
3
45
Isabel Darvill
Team Spectra Cannondale
st
4
35
Jo Tindley
Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee
st
5
34
Corinne Side
Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee
st
6
52
Emily Proud
Le Col Race Team
st
7
10
Sophie Enever
Alba Development Road Team
st
8
36
Amy Gornall
Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee
st
9
19
Samantha Fawcett
Hutchinson – Brother UK
st
10
33
Bexy Dew
Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee
st
11
5
Grace Lister
DAS – Handsling Bikes
st
12
42
Ellen McDermott
Team Boompods
st
13
2
Francesca Hall
DAS – Handsling Bikes
st
14
4
Sophie Lewis
DAS – Handsling Bikes
st
15
20
Tamsin Miller
Hutchinson – Brother UK
st
16
43
Lauren Robinson
Team Boompods
+59:59
17
46
Xan Crees
Team Spectra Cannondale
st
18
41
Jayati Hine
Team Boompods
st
19
55
Erin Avill
Storey Racing
st
20
3
Lucy Lee
DAS – Handsling Bikes
st
21
56
Alderney Baker
Team Empella
st
22
61
Georgina Oakley
st
23
7
Sammie Stuart
DAS – Handsling Bikes
+59:59
24
18
Sian Botteley
Hutchinson – Brother UK
+59:59
25
23
Abbie Taylor
Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon
+59:59
26
21
Lydia Watts
Hutchinson – Brother UK
st
27
31
Anya Tamplin
Loughborough Lightning
+59:59
28
24
Rebekah Nash
Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon
st
29
38
Hannah Bayes
Saint Piran WRT
st
30
57
Anastasia Bowler
Wahoo – Le Col
st
31
48
Maddie Heywood
FTP – Fulfil The Potential – Racing
st
32
17
Charlotte Berry
Hutchinson – Brother UK
+59:59
33
8
Sophie Thackray
DAS – Handsling Bikes
+59:59
34
37
Millie Skinner
Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee
st
35
49
Rebecca Hair
LAKA Pedal Mafia RT
st
36
15
Electra Morris
Brother UK – Orientation Marketing
st
37
9
Daisy Barnes
Alba Development Road Team
st
38
22
Sannah Zaman
Hutchinson – Brother UK
st
39
58
Emma McDonald
Wahoo – Le Col
st
40
14
Harriet Graham
Brother UK – Orientation Marketing
st
41
44
Gemma Mitchell
Team Boompods
st
42
66
Mathilde Pauls
LAKA Pedal Mafia RT
st
43
26
Philippa Draper
Loughborough Lightning
st
44
51
Natasha Reddy
LDN-Academy
st
45
59
Ailsa McLagan
503
st
46
47
Lucy Nelson
Team Spectra Cannondale
st
47
62
Georgia Lancaster
Brother UK – Orientation Marketing
st
48
39
Annamarie Lipp
Saint Piran WRT
st
49
13
Amelia Tyler
Alba Development Road Team
st
50
64
Nicola Soden
Tactic UK WRT
st
51
25
Emily Chilton
Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon
st
52
12
Victoria Smith
Alba Development Road Team
st
53
63
Mia Smith
Brother UK – Orientation Marketing
st
54
29
Roisin Lally
Loughborough Lightning
st
55
50
Lucy Neatham
LDN-Academy
st
6
Beth Morrow
DAS – Handsling Bikes
DNS
11
Arianne Holland
Alba Development Road Team
DNS
27
Madeleine Gammons
Loughborough Lightning
DNS
28
Amber Harding
Loughborough Lightning
DNS
30
Alice Lethbridge
Loughborough Lightning
DNS
40
Rebecca Richards
Saint Piran WRT
DNS
53
Eluned King
Lifeplus Wahoo
DNS
54
Kate Richardson
Lifeplus Wahoo
DNS
65
Amy Perryman
TEKKERZ CC
DNS
16
Tuva Mauland
Brother UK – Orientation Marketing
DSQ
60
Shona Mosley
DSQ
All about Desserts Newark Men’s Grand Prix
Report
Picture by Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com – 28/07/2023 – Cycling – British Cycling National Circuit Series, Road – All About Desserts Newark Mens Grand Prix, Men’s National Circuit Series – Alec Briggs of TEKKERZ CC wins
Alec Briggs took victory in the All About Desserts Newark Men’s Grand Prix as Ben Chilton clung on to the overall series win after a thrilling race between him and Matt Fox’s Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli team.
After five rounds the stage was set for the final showdown between Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli’s Matt Fox and Ben Chilton (Ribble Collective) the pair winners in Ilkley and Guildford respectively. Chilton carried a crucial, but slender nine-point advantage into the race as he went up against the collective might of Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli, the Cumbrian outfit all but confirmed winners of the team classification and boasting the likes of Tim Shoreman, winner last time out in Colne, and Callum Laborde – who sat in fourth place overall himself.
As the riders were called the start the floodlights took over from the setting sun, series leader Chilton relaxed enough to pull a wheelie to the line where he found himself surrounded by the luminous green jerseys of the Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli team.
Callum Laborde led a trio of Wheelbase riders through the first lap at electric pace, their tactic to put Chilton under pressure from the gun, with the Ribble Collective rider holding his own in the top ten.
Picture by Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com – 28/07/2023 – Cycling – British Cycling National Circuit Series, Road – All About Desserts Newark Mens Grand Prix, Men’s National Circuit Series – Tim Shoreman of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
The usual suspects gathered towards the head of the race, Toby Barnes (Dolan Ellesse Race Team) setting a blistering fastest lap to move through the fracturing group. Chilton was comfortable in fifth wheel as the third lap was completed, Ribble Collective team mate Tom Couzens surviving the early exchanges to be in a good position to offer valuable support.
Laborde drifted off the front of the race as Barnes let his wheel go, Fox and Chilton inseparable towards the head of the thinned out bunch of 23 riders.
With five laps completed Chilton found himself in a move with the Wheelbase trio of Fox, Laborde and Tim Shoreman, the Ribble Collective rider outnumbered but not outgunned as he stuck to the principle that attack is the best form of defence.
The move was short lived as the pace remained high, the full force of Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli team continually at the head of affairs as they plotted a way to defeat Chilton, his tall frame shadowing their every move.
Picture by Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com – 28/07/2023 – Cycling – British Cycling National Circuit Series, Road – All About Desserts Newark Mens Grand Prix, Men’s National Circuit Series – Ben Chilton of Ribble Collective
Away from the series battle, there was a fight for the win on the night being fiercely contested, the popular Alec Briggs (Tekkerz CC), Isaac Mundy (Private Member) and veteran Ali Slater (Clancy-Briggs) all working their way to the front of the leading group as riders dropped off the back, Joseph Beckingscale (Wales Racing Academy) the latest to find the pace too hot after 20 minutes of racing.
Dan Barnes put in a huge attack with Isaac Mundy and Zac Machin (Beeston CC) in pursuit, the 16 riders remaining at the front of the race stretched to the limit, Chilton and Fox still locked in together in their own private battle.
Chilton and Fox took to the head of affairs as the attack was neutralised, the Wheelbase rider knowing his best chance of overall victory would come if he was able to take the race win. As the race passed the halfway mark the group appeared to settle as the riders prepared themselves for further exchanges in the closing stages.
Chilton continued to attack the front of the race with Fox still glued to his wheel, but crucially Wheelbase rider Aaron King was appearing to begin to suffer at the back of the leading group; the Ribble Collective rider stamping his authority on the race and beginning to eliminate his adversaries.
Picture by Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com – 28/07/2023 – Cycling – British Cycling National Circuit Series, Road – All About Desserts Newark Mens Grand Prix, Men’s National Circuit Series – Riders passing Newark Royal Market
With nine laps to go Chilton continued to put the hammer down, his team mate Tom Couzens letting the wheel go towards the back of the group and causing a small split as fractures began to appear throughout the first group.
Time was running out for Fox to make the difference with seven laps remaining, Briggs, Mundy and Slater exchanging turns at the front of the race as two distinct races emerged; Chilton and the Wheelbase team further down the group for the first time watching each other intently.
With only five laps remaining Chilton appeared under pressure for the first time as Fox found himself in the wheel of a Zak Machin attack, Chilton in fifth position and having to close the gap quickly. Next time round it was ouzens leading the now tightly packed group, the Ribble Collective rider playing the perfect team mate as Chilton took some time to regroup as the pace slowed considerably.
George Kimber (Embark-Spirit-BSS) made his way to the head of affairs for the first time in the race as the Wheelbase team appeared to have finally broken the next time round, the race set for a huge attack from Matt Fox in the final two laps in his bid for overall glory.
With the group intact through the bell lap led by Isaac Mundy, the race and the series looked set to be decided by a hectic sprint finish, Chilton holding his position near the front of the group.
It would be Alec Briggs who used all his experience to full effect on the final lap, rounding the final corner perfectly to sprint to victory from Matt Fox with Isaac Mundy rounding out the podium. Crucially, Chilton was 5th, meaning he held onto the overall series win after a thrilling night of attacking team racing by just three points.
Picture by Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com – 28/07/2023 – Cycling – British Cycling National Circuit Series, Road – All About Desserts Newark Mens Grand Prix, Men’s National Circuit Series – Podium: Ben Chilton Ribble Collective wins the overall leader classification
Robyn Clay won the final round of the National Circuit Series at the Newark Town Centre Races as her Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee team-mate Corrine Side secured the Series title with fifth. Pro-Noctis also took the team title.
In the men’s Newark Grand Prix, Alec Briggs (Tekkerz CC) sprinted his way to success just ahead of Matt Fox. Second wasn’t enough for the Series crown, which went to Ribble Collective’s Ben Chilton by just three points. Wheelbase CabTech Castelli claimed the team title over ROKiT-SRCT.
Featured Image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWPix.com
Schwalbe Newark Women’s Grand Prix
Report
Robyn Clay sprinted to victory in the Schwalbe Newark Women’s Grand Prix, the Pro-Noctis rider demonstrating brilliant bike handling skills to take the win from a group of almost twenty riders.
Criterium racing returned to the historic Nottinghamshire market town after a successful debut last year with two cobblestone sectors punctuating the flat course of two halves – fast smooth straights followed by a technical horseshoe round the marketplace; the final, tight right-hand corner, causing chaos in the support races, coming only 50 metres from the finish line.
With Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee having all but sewn up the team classification after their series-long battle with DAS-Handsling, the 50-minute race would decide the individual series winner, with leader with Corrine Side holding a narrow eight-point advantage over local rider and Pro-Noctis team-mate Jo Tindley.
Despite threatening skies being present for the majority of the day the course stayed dry, much to the relief of the 60-rider field given its slippy and technical nature. Lucy Lee (DAS-Handsling) led a complete peloton through the end of the first lap, DAS-Handsling and Pro-Noctis jerseys dominating the top ten of the single file bunch.
The technical nature of the course claimed its first victims only two laps later, the elastic snapping throughout the strung-out peloton as a group of 16 emerged at the front of the race, dominated by the two squads clear in the team classification.
After making the split, Emily Proud (Le Col Race Team) took up her familiar position at the head of affairs, stretching the gap to ten seconds as the field broke up into a collection of ones and twos behind, the winner looking likely to come from the riders in front.
Proud continued to lead the race through the finish line for the next few laps, with the other teams’ refusal to lend any help allowed a group of ten riders regaining contact with the leading group 15 minutes into the race; three riders from Hutchinson – Brother UK dragging them across. That development ignited the Pro-Noctis squad into life, Bexy Dew taking over from Proud and injecting some pace into the front of the race.
The front group was dominated by the DAS-Handsling and Pro-Noctis teams, with six and five riders respectively, as the race reached the halfway point; the nature of the circuit making positioning of paramount importance. Ellen McDermott emerged at the front to take over the pacesetting, one of three Team Boompods representatives in the group; the battle to stay in as hard-fought as the battle for a position on the front as the wait for the attacks to begin continued.
With nine laps to go the status quo ensued, Isabel Darvill (Team Spectra-Cannondale) was active towards the front of the group as she looked to cement her third place in the series. Emily Proud returned to the front of the bunch as the pace increased, the lap time dipping under two minutes for the first time since the start of the race.
Cracks started to appear with four laps to go as the jostling for position hotted up. Riders with the calibre of Lucy Lee were unable to keep up with the ever-increasing pace set by Proud, who remained dedicated to her tactic of riding at the head of affairs, three Pro-Noctis riders glued to her wheel as a very technical sprint looked to be on the cards.
Sammie Stuart (DAS-Handsling) led through the final corner approaching the bell lap but fell victim of it, crashing heavily, all other riders somehow staying upright. The disruption handed the advantage to Pro-Noctis as the perfectly formed DAS-Handsling lead out evaporated.
As the riders took on the technical finish for the final time, it was Lincoln GP winner Robyn Clay (Pro-Noctis) who led the bunch, taking the corner prior to the finish line perfectly as she raised her arms in victory. Just behind was Emma Jeffers (DAS-Handsling) who gained two places round the final corner courtesy of her superb bike handling. Darvill rounded out the podium.
The National Circuit Series title went to fellow Pro-Noctis rider Corinne Side, whose fifth-place finish was enough to secure the crown ahead of team-mate Tindley. The team also secured the team crown by more than 100 points over DAS-Handsling.
Results
All about Desserts Newark Men’s Grand Prix
Report
Alec Briggs took victory in the All About Desserts Newark Men’s Grand Prix as Ben Chilton clung on to the overall series win after a thrilling race between him and Matt Fox’s Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli team.
After five rounds the stage was set for the final showdown between Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli’s Matt Fox and Ben Chilton (Ribble Collective) the pair winners in Ilkley and Guildford respectively. Chilton carried a crucial, but slender nine-point advantage into the race as he went up against the collective might of Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli, the Cumbrian outfit all but confirmed winners of the team classification and boasting the likes of Tim Shoreman, winner last time out in Colne, and Callum Laborde – who sat in fourth place overall himself.
As the riders were called the start the floodlights took over from the setting sun, series leader Chilton relaxed enough to pull a wheelie to the line where he found himself surrounded by the luminous green jerseys of the Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli team.
Callum Laborde led a trio of Wheelbase riders through the first lap at electric pace, their tactic to put Chilton under pressure from the gun, with the Ribble Collective rider holding his own in the top ten.
The usual suspects gathered towards the head of the race, Toby Barnes (Dolan Ellesse Race Team) setting a blistering fastest lap to move through the fracturing group. Chilton was comfortable in fifth wheel as the third lap was completed, Ribble Collective team mate Tom Couzens surviving the early exchanges to be in a good position to offer valuable support.
Laborde drifted off the front of the race as Barnes let his wheel go, Fox and Chilton inseparable towards the head of the thinned out bunch of 23 riders.
With five laps completed Chilton found himself in a move with the Wheelbase trio of Fox, Laborde and Tim Shoreman, the Ribble Collective rider outnumbered but not outgunned as he stuck to the principle that attack is the best form of defence.
The move was short lived as the pace remained high, the full force of Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli team continually at the head of affairs as they plotted a way to defeat Chilton, his tall frame shadowing their every move.
Away from the series battle, there was a fight for the win on the night being fiercely contested, the popular Alec Briggs (Tekkerz CC), Isaac Mundy (Private Member) and veteran Ali Slater (Clancy-Briggs) all working their way to the front of the leading group as riders dropped off the back, Joseph Beckingscale (Wales Racing Academy) the latest to find the pace too hot after 20 minutes of racing.
Dan Barnes put in a huge attack with Isaac Mundy and Zac Machin (Beeston CC) in pursuit, the 16 riders remaining at the front of the race stretched to the limit, Chilton and Fox still locked in together in their own private battle.
Chilton and Fox took to the head of affairs as the attack was neutralised, the Wheelbase rider knowing his best chance of overall victory would come if he was able to take the race win. As the race passed the halfway mark the group appeared to settle as the riders prepared themselves for further exchanges in the closing stages.
Chilton continued to attack the front of the race with Fox still glued to his wheel, but crucially Wheelbase rider Aaron King was appearing to begin to suffer at the back of the leading group; the Ribble Collective rider stamping his authority on the race and beginning to eliminate his adversaries.
With nine laps to go Chilton continued to put the hammer down, his team mate Tom Couzens letting the wheel go towards the back of the group and causing a small split as fractures began to appear throughout the first group.
Time was running out for Fox to make the difference with seven laps remaining, Briggs, Mundy and Slater exchanging turns at the front of the race as two distinct races emerged; Chilton and the Wheelbase team further down the group for the first time watching each other intently.
With only five laps remaining Chilton appeared under pressure for the first time as Fox found himself in the wheel of a Zak Machin attack, Chilton in fifth position and having to close the gap quickly. Next time round it was ouzens leading the now tightly packed group, the Ribble Collective rider playing the perfect team mate as Chilton took some time to regroup as the pace slowed considerably.
George Kimber (Embark-Spirit-BSS) made his way to the head of affairs for the first time in the race as the Wheelbase team appeared to have finally broken the next time round, the race set for a huge attack from Matt Fox in the final two laps in his bid for overall glory.
With the group intact through the bell lap led by Isaac Mundy, the race and the series looked set to be decided by a hectic sprint finish, Chilton holding his position near the front of the group.
It would be Alec Briggs who used all his experience to full effect on the final lap, rounding the final corner perfectly to sprint to victory from Matt Fox with Isaac Mundy rounding out the podium. Crucially, Chilton was 5th, meaning he held onto the overall series win after a thrilling night of attacking team racing by just three points.
Results
National Circuit Series standings
Women’s
Individual
Team
Men’s
Individual
Team
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