The national road racing season ramps up this month with a series of important National B road races, as well as the start of the women’s National Road Series at the CiCLE Classic on 17 March.
This weekend sees two important early season tests. The 40th edition of the Jock Wadley Memorial takes place on Sunday – a domestic version of a semi-classic – preceded by the 62nd edition of the Eddie Soens Memorial, a closed-circuit Regional C+ handicap race held at Aintree that always contains a strong field.
This post previews the long-running Jock Wadley Memorial.
The Jock Wadley Memorial, hosted by the Colchester Rovers Cycling Club, is a prestigious ‘National B‘ level road cycling event held near the Abberton Reservoir in Essex, renowned as one of Europe’s premier wetland locations.
After a remarkable 24 years at the helm, Malcolm Hargreaves of the Colchester Rovers CC has handed over the leadership reins for organising the race to his club colleague Nick Swainston, in time for its 40th iteration. The event pays tribute to Jock Wadley, an influential cycling journalist who played a significant role in introducing British audiences to European cycle racing through his work with publications like The Bicycle, Sporting Cyclist, and International Cycle Sport.
Historically, the race has drawn high-calibre competitors featuring UCI Continental teams and other top domestic riders. Its roll of honour includes distinguished victors such as Ben Luckwell, Tony Gibb, Malcolm Elliot, Luke Rowe, Jonathan Tiernan-Locke, and Steele von Hoff, who clinched the title twice. Andy Lyons, another double champion, currently oversees the Richardsons-Trek DAS team.
Starting and finishing by the village of Layer-de-la-Haye, just south of Colchester, the race takes in 12 laps of Abberton Reservoir.
Each lap is 11.4 kilometres long, and takes in just 67 metres of elevation gain. Flat? Yes. Easy? No. With twisty narrow lanes, crosswinds, unrelenting drags, a little kicker under a kilometre from the finish, and 80 riders all raring to go after their off-season, the racing should be fearsome. Expect the bunch to be whittled down steadily on each lap, with a solo win as likely as a reduced bunch sprint.
Beginning and concluding in the village of Layer-de-la-Haye, positioned just to the south of Colchester, the race encompasses 12 laps of a circuit around Abberton Reservoir.
Each lap spans 11.4 kilometres and includes a modest elevation gain of 67 meters. It might be flat, but the course is far from straightforward. The course features serpentine, narrow roads, challenging crosswinds, persistent uphill stretches, a short sharp climb less than a kilometre before the end. With a forecast for rain, and 80 competitors eager to showcase their form following their off-season, the racing should be fierce. Expect the bunch to be whittled down steadily on each lap, with a solo win as likely as a reduced bunch sprint.
Timings
The race begins at 11.00.
Contenders
The startlist is provisional only, and subject to change.
As we have now become accustomed to, Saint Piran will be the team to watch, with the UCI Continental outfit fielding five riders. Defending champion Alex Richardson lines up alongside Portsdown Classic winnerSam Culverwell, Rowan Baker (second in this race in 2023), Clayton Spring Classic victorTyler Hannay, and promising under-23 Dylan Hicks.
Sam Culverwell wins the Portsdown Classic, 11 Feb 2024. Credit: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
Local team Richardsons Trek DAS will be keen to mount a challenge. Their six-rider team boasts Royal Navy Cup winnerJordan Giles, as well as former Team Sky rider Alex Peters, and Conor McGoldrick, who came so close to winning the Rás last season.
Dom Jackson (Foran CT) is one of the form riders of the early season. A fourth place at Portsdown was followed by another fourth at the Royal Navy Cup, securing him enough points to lead The British Continentalnational road race rankings.
The Le Col Race Team fields former UCI road race winner Damien Clayton, who briefly retired at the end of 2023 but is back and seemingly as eager as ever. His teammate Monte Guerrini has had a good start to the season and could feature too.
Alex Dowsett (Nopinz Race Team) is back for more National B road race action after his Portsdown escapade. This is a local race for him, so he’ll be keen to put on a good show in front of home support.
Alex Dowsett at the Portsdown Classic, 11 Feb 2024. Credit: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
Other riders to watch include new Cycling Sheffield recruit David Hird, winner of the Stars of the South West race last year. 2023 Junior CiCLE Classic winner Ben Marsh (Project 51) is another intriguing starter, while Joseph Smith (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) was tenth here last season and the former junior national cyclocross champion is our dark horse for this race.
The national road racing season ramps up this month with a series of important National B road races, as well as the start of the women’s National Road Series at the CiCLE Classic on 17 March.
This weekend sees two important early season tests. The 40th edition of the Jock Wadley Memorial takes place on Sunday – a domestic version of a semi-classic – preceded by the 62nd edition of the Eddie Soens Memorial, a closed-circuit Regional C+ handicap race held at Aintree that always contains a strong field.
This post previews the long-running Jock Wadley Memorial.
Featured image: NE Sports Photography
What is it?
The Jock Wadley Memorial, hosted by the Colchester Rovers Cycling Club, is a prestigious ‘National B‘ level road cycling event held near the Abberton Reservoir in Essex, renowned as one of Europe’s premier wetland locations.
After a remarkable 24 years at the helm, Malcolm Hargreaves of the Colchester Rovers CC has handed over the leadership reins for organising the race to his club colleague Nick Swainston, in time for its 40th iteration. The event pays tribute to Jock Wadley, an influential cycling journalist who played a significant role in introducing British audiences to European cycle racing through his work with publications like The Bicycle, Sporting Cyclist, and International Cycle Sport.
Historically, the race has drawn high-calibre competitors featuring UCI Continental teams and other top domestic riders. Its roll of honour includes distinguished victors such as Ben Luckwell, Tony Gibb, Malcolm Elliot, Luke Rowe, Jonathan Tiernan-Locke, and Steele von Hoff, who clinched the title twice. Andy Lyons, another double champion, currently oversees the Richardsons-Trek DAS team.
Last year, Alex Richardson from Saint Piran clinched a standout solo victory and aims to return this year to defend his crown.
The route
Starting and finishing by the village of Layer-de-la-Haye, just south of Colchester, the race takes in 12 laps of Abberton Reservoir.
Each lap is 11.4 kilometres long, and takes in just 67 metres of elevation gain. Flat? Yes. Easy? No. With twisty narrow lanes, crosswinds, unrelenting drags, a little kicker under a kilometre from the finish, and 80 riders all raring to go after their off-season, the racing should be fearsome. Expect the bunch to be whittled down steadily on each lap, with a solo win as likely as a reduced bunch sprint.
Beginning and concluding in the village of Layer-de-la-Haye, positioned just to the south of Colchester, the race encompasses 12 laps of a circuit around Abberton Reservoir.
Each lap spans 11.4 kilometres and includes a modest elevation gain of 67 meters. It might be flat, but the course is far from straightforward. The course features serpentine, narrow roads, challenging crosswinds, persistent uphill stretches, a short sharp climb less than a kilometre before the end. With a forecast for rain, and 80 competitors eager to showcase their form following their off-season, the racing should be fierce. Expect the bunch to be whittled down steadily on each lap, with a solo win as likely as a reduced bunch sprint.
Timings
The race begins at 11.00.
Contenders
The startlist is provisional only, and subject to change.
As we have now become accustomed to, Saint Piran will be the team to watch, with the UCI Continental outfit fielding five riders. Defending champion Alex Richardson lines up alongside Portsdown Classic winner Sam Culverwell, Rowan Baker (second in this race in 2023), Clayton Spring Classic victor Tyler Hannay, and promising under-23 Dylan Hicks.
Local team Richardsons Trek DAS will be keen to mount a challenge. Their six-rider team boasts Royal Navy Cup winner Jordan Giles, as well as former Team Sky rider Alex Peters, and Conor McGoldrick, who came so close to winning the Rás last season.
Dom Jackson (Foran CT) is one of the form riders of the early season. A fourth place at Portsdown was followed by another fourth at the Royal Navy Cup, securing him enough points to lead The British Continental national road race rankings.
The Le Col Race Team fields former UCI road race winner Damien Clayton, who briefly retired at the end of 2023 but is back and seemingly as eager as ever. His teammate Monte Guerrini has had a good start to the season and could feature too.
Alex Dowsett (Nopinz Race Team) is back for more National B road race action after his Portsdown escapade. This is a local race for him, so he’ll be keen to put on a good show in front of home support.
Other riders to watch include new Cycling Sheffield recruit David Hird, winner of the Stars of the South West race last year. 2023 Junior CiCLE Classic winner Ben Marsh (Project 51) is another intriguing starter, while Joseph Smith (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) was tenth here last season and the former junior national cyclocross champion is our dark horse for this race.
Provisional startlist
Reserves
Share this: