Round 2 of the Under-23 Open National Road Series takes place on Sunday 21 April on a weekend packed full of National B road racing that also includes the second rounds of the Scottish Alba Series, the British Team Cup and the Proper Northern Road Race Series.
The PB Performance Espoirs Road Race is the second of the five confirmed rounds of the National U23 Open Road Series, the first won by Saint Piran’s Dylan Hicks at the Stars of the South West Road Race earlier this month.
Becoming part of the series last year after many editions as a standalone National B Road Race, Will Truelove was the inaugural winner in the colours of ROKiT-SRCT in 2023. He returns to defend his crown after a spell racing in the USA earlier this month with the now Thivra-SRCT team.
Route
Situated in North West Leicestershire, the Griffydam circuit is a favourite for road races and time trials in the area, with riders such as Harry Tanfield a winner here in the past.
Riders will tackle 10 laps of the 14.4km circuit for a race distance of 144km.
The roads are rolling, with few notable stretches of flat; the course punctuated by a host of drags and descents typical of a National B circuit. At 148m of elevation per lap, the route is sporting and not unduly hilly, although it will pose a test to riders as the race goes on and the fatigue begins to take hold. Expect a tough, attritional race where the strongest riders will likely make the difference in the closing stages.
The lap begins with a long, straight descent heading north, getting progressively steeper as the riders take a left at a roundabout, heading towards the A453. A left turn onto the main road sees a sharp change in gradient, the drag up towards the village of Breedon-on-the-Hill, its hilltop church dominating the skyline, offering an opportunity to attack; the gradients here are enough for attackers to make the difference and create a gap.
Having negotiated the speed bumps through the village centre, the course continues south towards Lount, a left turn bringing the riders onto the bottom part of the circuit, where they head east on rolling parcours. After a flowing descent, a tough 500m kicker greets the riders within the final kilometre. Gradients of up to 11% make this the toughest part of the circuit, and with the finish line only 300m from the summit, it could decide the race. The run to the line takes a left turn as the road levels out into a tough false flat.
Riders to watch
Only open to under-23 riders, the series can offer a springboard for young riders to showcase themselves and gain experience racing in a different field to usual.
Despite the age limit, Saint Piran enter the race as overwhelming favourites for yet another national road race victory. Having merged their USKIS development squad with the UCI Continental Team, the dominant force in domestic cycling arrive with an enviable four man team. Series leader and puncheur Dylan Hicks leads the line and will be amply supported by Rowan Baker, who completed a Saint Piran one-two at the Stars of the South West race in round one, as well as winning the RCR Fatcreations Goodwood National B Road Race. Huw Buck Jones has finished in the top ten of every National B Road Race he’s entered this season, coming close to winning two stages of the Peaks 2 Day back in March, while the team is completed by Josh Ludman, the Australian taking part in only his second race in the UK.
Dylan Hicks and Rowan Baker at the 2024 RCR FatCreations Road Race. Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
David Hird was the best of the rest at the first round with a third place finish, and he heads a Cycling Sheffield squad who have made a strong start to 2024. Peaks 2 Day stage winner Max Krasinski is on the reserve list as a late entry, and should he get the opportunity to start will bolster the chances for Dave Coulson’s team.
The Wheelbase CabTech Castelli team also enter four riders, led by Jacob Smith, one of the form riders of the first part of the season. A stage win and GC podium in the Peaks 2 Day was backed up with a fine 3rd place in the challenging Capernwray Road Race, the question here is whether the course is hard enough for him. He’ll receive support from Joseph Smith, who was 5th at both of the aforementioned races, following a strong 2023, as a first year under-23, with top tens in two of the Under-23 Men’s National Road Series races.
Jacob Smith at the 2024 Capernwray road race. Image: Ellen Isherwood
Team PB Performance are the only squad to enter the full complement of six riders and will look to make their numerical advantage count on home roads. Joe Shilabeer (Shibden-A.Fawcett RT) was prominent in the Danum Trophy as he made the leading group to ride to 5th place in tough conditions, while Matthew Lord (Richardsons Trek-DAS) was the model of consistency in his only outing at the Peaks 2 Day this season, finishing 8th overall after a top-ten in every stage.
Having recovered from glandular fever, former AT85 Pro Cycling recruit Ross Birrell (Private Member) will be hoping to get his career back on track this season after a tough 2023 hit by team closures and illness. A rider with a strong sprint, the final kilometre could suit his powerful kick if he remains in the mix.
Luke Brennan took an excellent 4th place in the first round of the series and will hope to replicate that, this race taking place on local roads for his youthful HUUB-BCC team. John Bardsley (360Cycling) impressed in the early season handicap races, including a 3rd at the Eddie Soens, the first year junior now looking to step up and capture a strong result under scratch race conditions.
Truelove wins the 2023 PB Performance Espoirs road race: Image: Emma Wilcock
Will Truelove (Thriva-SRCT) won the race last year and will swap the Californian sunshine for the British spring, having raced the five-stage Redlands Classic last week. The stage race may well prove to be perfect preparation with its short stages, the Welshman riding to a solid top-10 on GC in the Peaks 2 Day on his only UK outing this year.
Round 2 of the Under-23 Open National Road Series takes place on Sunday 21 April on a weekend packed full of National B road racing that also includes the second rounds of the Scottish Alba Series, the British Team Cup and the Proper Northern Road Race Series.
Here is our preview and startlist.
Featured image: Emma Wilcock
What is it?
The PB Performance Espoirs Road Race is the second of the five confirmed rounds of the National U23 Open Road Series, the first won by Saint Piran’s Dylan Hicks at the Stars of the South West Road Race earlier this month.
Becoming part of the series last year after many editions as a standalone National B Road Race, Will Truelove was the inaugural winner in the colours of ROKiT-SRCT in 2023. He returns to defend his crown after a spell racing in the USA earlier this month with the now Thivra-SRCT team.
Route
Situated in North West Leicestershire, the Griffydam circuit is a favourite for road races and time trials in the area, with riders such as Harry Tanfield a winner here in the past.
Riders will tackle 10 laps of the 14.4km circuit for a race distance of 144km.
The roads are rolling, with few notable stretches of flat; the course punctuated by a host of drags and descents typical of a National B circuit. At 148m of elevation per lap, the route is sporting and not unduly hilly, although it will pose a test to riders as the race goes on and the fatigue begins to take hold. Expect a tough, attritional race where the strongest riders will likely make the difference in the closing stages.
The lap begins with a long, straight descent heading north, getting progressively steeper as the riders take a left at a roundabout, heading towards the A453. A left turn onto the main road sees a sharp change in gradient, the drag up towards the village of Breedon-on-the-Hill, its hilltop church dominating the skyline, offering an opportunity to attack; the gradients here are enough for attackers to make the difference and create a gap.
Having negotiated the speed bumps through the village centre, the course continues south towards Lount, a left turn bringing the riders onto the bottom part of the circuit, where they head east on rolling parcours. After a flowing descent, a tough 500m kicker greets the riders within the final kilometre. Gradients of up to 11% make this the toughest part of the circuit, and with the finish line only 300m from the summit, it could decide the race. The run to the line takes a left turn as the road levels out into a tough false flat.
Riders to watch
Only open to under-23 riders, the series can offer a springboard for young riders to showcase themselves and gain experience racing in a different field to usual.
Despite the age limit, Saint Piran enter the race as overwhelming favourites for yet another national road race victory. Having merged their USKIS development squad with the UCI Continental Team, the dominant force in domestic cycling arrive with an enviable four man team. Series leader and puncheur Dylan Hicks leads the line and will be amply supported by Rowan Baker, who completed a Saint Piran one-two at the Stars of the South West race in round one, as well as winning the RCR Fatcreations Goodwood National B Road Race. Huw Buck Jones has finished in the top ten of every National B Road Race he’s entered this season, coming close to winning two stages of the Peaks 2 Day back in March, while the team is completed by Josh Ludman, the Australian taking part in only his second race in the UK.
David Hird was the best of the rest at the first round with a third place finish, and he heads a Cycling Sheffield squad who have made a strong start to 2024. Peaks 2 Day stage winner Max Krasinski is on the reserve list as a late entry, and should he get the opportunity to start will bolster the chances for Dave Coulson’s team.
The Wheelbase CabTech Castelli team also enter four riders, led by Jacob Smith, one of the form riders of the first part of the season. A stage win and GC podium in the Peaks 2 Day was backed up with a fine 3rd place in the challenging Capernwray Road Race, the question here is whether the course is hard enough for him. He’ll receive support from Joseph Smith, who was 5th at both of the aforementioned races, following a strong 2023, as a first year under-23, with top tens in two of the Under-23 Men’s National Road Series races.
Team PB Performance are the only squad to enter the full complement of six riders and will look to make their numerical advantage count on home roads. Joe Shilabeer (Shibden-A.Fawcett RT) was prominent in the Danum Trophy as he made the leading group to ride to 5th place in tough conditions, while Matthew Lord (Richardsons Trek-DAS) was the model of consistency in his only outing at the Peaks 2 Day this season, finishing 8th overall after a top-ten in every stage.
Having recovered from glandular fever, former AT85 Pro Cycling recruit Ross Birrell (Private Member) will be hoping to get his career back on track this season after a tough 2023 hit by team closures and illness. A rider with a strong sprint, the final kilometre could suit his powerful kick if he remains in the mix.
Luke Brennan took an excellent 4th place in the first round of the series and will hope to replicate that, this race taking place on local roads for his youthful HUUB-BCC team. John Bardsley (360Cycling) impressed in the early season handicap races, including a 3rd at the Eddie Soens, the first year junior now looking to step up and capture a strong result under scratch race conditions.
Will Truelove (Thriva-SRCT) won the race last year and will swap the Californian sunshine for the British spring, having raced the five-stage Redlands Classic last week. The stage race may well prove to be perfect preparation with its short stages, the Welshman riding to a solid top-10 on GC in the Peaks 2 Day on his only UK outing this year.
Find out more
Race website.
Provisional startlist
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