Tom Williams (THRIVA-SRCT) took a brilliant solo win at round 3 of the Under-23 Open National Road Series as Archie Peet (Reflex Racing) took full advantage of Saint Piran’s absence to leap into the Series lead.
With the first two riders in the Under-23 Open National Road Series rankings – Saint Piran’s Rowan Baker and Dylan Hicks – absent, the Yorkshire Under-23 Classic began with an air of uncertainty, no rider or team beginning as clear or obvious favourites.
Facing 12 laps of the challenging Carlecotes circuit, the racing was aggressive from the start. On the very first ascent of the main climb, Thriva-SRCT’s Tom Williams and a Wheelbase CabTech Castelli pushed on and created a small gap. They were quickly joined by five others to make a lead group of eight: Williams, his teammates Will Truelove and Ben Bright, Cycling Sheffield’s David Hird, Joe Shillabeer of Shibden-A.Fawcett and Joseph Smith and Aaron King, both of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli. It was powerful composition, and with three of the major teams represented, immediately had the look of a break that could go all the way.
The break combined well, still leading at the halfway point. Behind, however, a chasing trio was fast approaching, made up of PB Performance Espoirs road race winner Archie Peet (Reflex Racing), Alex Beldon (TRINITY Racing) and Matthew Lord (Richardsons Trek DAS).
The trio made the junction, disrupting the leaders’ unity. The attacks began, Thriva-SRCT using their numbers as Bright and Truelove made moves that were reeled in. Williams then attacked, and this time it worked, the rest of the break unable, or unwilling, to coordinate an effective response.
Head down and pushing hard, Williams’ gap quickly grew. His advantage went out to 1’30”, before being reduced to a minute as four chasers made a counter move behind: Truelove, Peet, Smith and Hird. Four became two as Peet and Truelove jettisoned Smith and Hird, while up front Williams still had 48 seconds at the bell.
Williams held on for an impressive solo win, the 20-year-old’s first National B road race win. His teammate Truelove took second, with Peet in third. Peet’s podium secure him enough points to propel him to the top of the Under-23 Open National Road Series rankings.
“With six laps to go I knew the riders who had just got on before the attacks happened would not have recovered, and with the attacks my teammates had put in, the original breakaway riders would be feeling it from chasing, so I was sat near the back of the group and attacked up the short steep climb on the course,” Williams told The British Continental of his winning move.
“I’m super pleased to get the win today,” Williams continued. “I was unsure how my legs would be after not racing since America three weeks ago, but I had some really good legs. It’s a big confidence boost going forward with Lincoln next weekend and The Gralloch the weekend after.”
Tom Williams (THRIVA-SRCT) took a brilliant solo win at round 3 of the Under-23 Open National Road Series as Archie Peet (Reflex Racing) took full advantage of Saint Piran’s absence to leap into the Series lead.
Featured image: Emma Wilcock
Report
With the first two riders in the Under-23 Open National Road Series rankings – Saint Piran’s Rowan Baker and Dylan Hicks – absent, the Yorkshire Under-23 Classic began with an air of uncertainty, no rider or team beginning as clear or obvious favourites.
Facing 12 laps of the challenging Carlecotes circuit, the racing was aggressive from the start. On the very first ascent of the main climb, Thriva-SRCT’s Tom Williams and a Wheelbase CabTech Castelli pushed on and created a small gap. They were quickly joined by five others to make a lead group of eight: Williams, his teammates Will Truelove and Ben Bright, Cycling Sheffield’s David Hird, Joe Shillabeer of Shibden-A.Fawcett and Joseph Smith and Aaron King, both of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli. It was powerful composition, and with three of the major teams represented, immediately had the look of a break that could go all the way.
The break combined well, still leading at the halfway point. Behind, however, a chasing trio was fast approaching, made up of PB Performance Espoirs road race winner Archie Peet (Reflex Racing), Alex Beldon (TRINITY Racing) and Matthew Lord (Richardsons Trek DAS).
The trio made the junction, disrupting the leaders’ unity. The attacks began, Thriva-SRCT using their numbers as Bright and Truelove made moves that were reeled in. Williams then attacked, and this time it worked, the rest of the break unable, or unwilling, to coordinate an effective response.
Head down and pushing hard, Williams’ gap quickly grew. His advantage went out to 1’30”, before being reduced to a minute as four chasers made a counter move behind: Truelove, Peet, Smith and Hird. Four became two as Peet and Truelove jettisoned Smith and Hird, while up front Williams still had 48 seconds at the bell.
Williams held on for an impressive solo win, the 20-year-old’s first National B road race win. His teammate Truelove took second, with Peet in third. Peet’s podium secure him enough points to propel him to the top of the Under-23 Open National Road Series rankings.
“With six laps to go I knew the riders who had just got on before the attacks happened would not have recovered, and with the attacks my teammates had put in, the original breakaway riders would be feeling it from chasing, so I was sat near the back of the group and attacked up the short steep climb on the course,” Williams told The British Continental of his winning move.
“I’m super pleased to get the win today,” Williams continued. “I was unsure how my legs would be after not racing since America three weeks ago, but I had some really good legs. It’s a big confidence boost going forward with Lincoln next weekend and The Gralloch the weekend after.”
Results
Share this:
Discover more from The British Continental
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.