2024 Royal Navy Cup p/b SWRRWG: report and results

Jordan Giles and Niamh Murphy took National B victories at a windy RNAS Merryfield on Saturday 2 March.

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Report

Open road race

With the threat of overnight snow averted, RNAS Merryfield played host to the second men’s National B road race of the year as Jordan Giles marked his Richardsons Trek DAS debut with a solo victory, courtesy of a late attack.

On the largely flat, exposed airfield, the full 80 rider field found few hiding places from the prevailing south westerly wind as the 120km, 24 lap race set off to a frantic pace more suited to a weeknight criterium. 

Attacks punctuated the rapid first hour with no group able to create a gap of note, eventual winner Giles demonstrating his form by marking almost every move and being ever present towards the business end of the race. 

As the wind continued to blow across the wide roads and fatigue started to set in, the elastic finally broke around the halfway mark; a large group of 20 or so riders forcing themselves clear. Working well together, the group containing pre-race favourites Monte Guerrini (Le Col RT), Dom Jackson (Foran CC) and, predictably, the ever-present Giles, built up a large advantage over the chasing peloton heading into the final quarter of the race.

The cohesion the group had enjoyed since its formation faltered as the finale approached. A five man group containing Giles, Jackson, Guerrini, his teammate Oliver Richardson and Danylo Riwnyj (trainSharp Orro Elite) forged a gap that became unassailable with only two laps to race; the winner to be decided from the five out front.

Attacks rained down on the tailwind section of the course as riders made their bid for glory in what had become an all out race of attrition. Giles launched the winning move deep within the last lap in the final 2km, riding clear of his breakaway companions with an all out attack, their lack of cooperation helping him savour a solo victory.

The Le Col RT duo of Richardson and Guerrini moved clear of Jackson and Riwnyj  to round out the podium, the latter pair coming home 4th and 5th respectively. Harry Macfarlane (TAAP Kalas) outsprinted a small group on the line to claim 6th.

Dom Jackson moves to the top of The British Continental road race rankings thanks to his 4th place, a solid follow-up to his 4th at the Portsdown Classic last month.

Starting his season with a win, Giles revealed he was unsure of his form after the winter, telling The British Continental after the race:  “I was holding my cards close to my chest and went all in with only 2km to go. There was dysfunction in the group behind, allowing me to build a gap in the tailwind section that I was able to hold to the line.

I’ve had a really consistent winter, my biggest in terms of volume so far. I wasn’t sure how the first race would go, but it turns out there’s something in the legs!

Jordan Giles

“I’ve had a really consistent winter, my biggest in terms of volume so far. I wasn’t sure how the first race would go, but it turns out there’s something in the legs!

“It’s my first year riding with Richardsons Trek DAS so that will open up some opportunities I haven’t had previously, in particular the CiCLE Classic and National Road Series, but there will hopefully be some international races to get stuck into and show my form.”

Women’s circuit race

Niamh Murphy (Doltcini-O’Shea) edged a thrilling sprint finish to claim victory in the women’s National B circuit race, beating Lucy Gadd (Le Col RT) and Laura Senior (Spectra Racing) as seven riders riders fanned across the road in the gallop to the line.

With the wind playing havoc with the small field, attackers found it hard to create an advantage over the bunch; Gadd the only rider able to sustain a gap of any significance over the 90 minute race. 

Crosswinds spelled the end of Gadd’s move, not helped by the wide open course offering a constant reminder, and carrot, to the peloton of any escapees. As the race wound up to a bunch sprint, it would be last minute entrant Murphy, the only rider from a UCI Continental team in the race, who would prevail by the finest of margins, throwing the bike across the line to edge out the determined Gadd. 

Speaking to The British Continental after the race, second-placed Gadd said: “It was a good race to kick the season off. Though it was a small field there were a few hitters, which made it very cagey. The wind played a big factor – I tried to make a break, got the gap, but as soon as I hit the crosswind the peloton was just able to move faster.”

Results

Open road race

Women’s circuit race