Kate Richardson (Lifeplus-Wahoo) stormed to her first National Road Series win at the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix, bathed in glorious May sunhsine. In the open race, Matt Holmes recorded a remarkable return from retirement with his first victory atop Michaelgate.
Featured Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Reports
Women’s race
The 116 starters were treated to blue skies and beautiful sunshine for the women’s Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix, a cool breeze adding welcome relief to the morning air.
The race remained cagey in the opening laps. Frankie Hall (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) put in a dig on the first ascent of eight up Michaelgate, but was quickly reeled in. On the following lap the peloton was altogether up the cobbles, although with riders already going at the back, the race was already being decided for some.
National Road Series team leaders Alba Road Development Team were beset by misfortunate on third lap. New signing Caitlin Dimbleby had to abandon after a crash, while individual Series leader Eilidh Shaw was also a crash victim, the delay leaving her well behind in the third group on the road.
Women’s National Road Series 2024 – Rapha Women’s Lincoln Grand Prix. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
At the front, it was hard to pick a favourite with CiCLE Classic winner Eluned King (Lifeplus-Wahoo), her team-mate Kate Richardson, Mayo Van’t Geloof (Hess Cycling Team), East Cleveland Classic winner Cat Ferguson (Shibden Apex RT), Ferguson’s teammate Imogen Wolff, Lucy Gadd (Pro-Noctis – 200 Degrees Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting), Monica Greenwood (Team Coop-Hitec Products) and the DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK duo of Ruth Shier and Lucy Lee all visible at the front.
Come the halfway mark and there was the first significant attack as Shier and fellow DAS rider Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne went clear with Katy Hill (London Academy) and Molly Patch (The Phoenix Collective). Building up a lead of 35 seconds as they crossed the line with four laps to go, it looked like the quartet had the makings of a handy break.
However, they didn’t count for the determination of King & Richardson who, with support from Shibden Apex RT, cut their advantage down to five seconds at the foot of Michaelgate and then fully pulled them back on at the top with two laps remaining.
Olly Hassell/SWpix.com – 12/05/2024 – Cycling – British Cycling Women’s National Road Series 2024 – Rapha Women’s Lincoln Grand Prix. Image:
On the penultimate lap, more attacks followed. First, Jo Tindley (Pro-Noctis – 200 Degrees Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting) and Charlotte Berry (The Phoenix Collective) went for clear while the race was out in the countryside but their escape was short-lived.
Richardson then attacked on the penultimate ascent of the Michaelgate, creating what proved to be a decisive gap. Ferguson chased hard, pulling Wolff and King with her, but Richardson was still alone at the top, the bell – and the crowds – ringing in her ears.
Onto the final loop of the course, Richardson didn’t relent and crossed the line with a handy advantage over Ferguson – who couldn’t put a dent in Richardson’s eventual winning margin despite mounting a challenge on the final climb up Michaelgate. Wolff rounded out the podium to cap yet another impressive race for the junior Shibden Apex RT squad.
National Road Series 2024 – Rapha Women’s Lincoln Grand Prix – Kate Richardson, Lifeplus-Wahoo wins. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
With Shaw not in the running after her crash, Loughborough Lightning’s Lucy Harris now leads the National Road Series, six points ahead of Ferguson. Ferguson’s Shibden Apex team are now the team Series leaders.
Kate Richardsons speaks to the The British Continental after her win
Open race
146 riders took to an increasingly warm Lincoln on one of the hottest days of the year. With the threat of another Saint Piran masterclass a real possibility – Alex Richardson started the 68th edition of the Grand Prix with the real prospect of securing a hat trick after heading a Saint Piran 1-2-3 last season – the rest of peloton was on guard from the very start.
In the opening laps, it seemed as though the bunch had read Matt Holmes’ words about taking the race to the Cornish squad and went immediately on the offensive.
Cameron McLaren (TAAP Kalas) had the honour of being the first to the top on the initial ascent of Michaelgate, opening a handy gap of a couple of seconds over a dozen or so riders who in turn had distanced the main pack.
National Road Series 2024 – Rapha Men’s Lincoln Grand Prix. Image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
By the next lap, a cohesive group of 12 had formed, including McLaren, with Will Roberts the sole Saint Piran represenatative. This group stayed ahead until the fourth lap when the chasing bunch managed to haul them back, forming a large, compact group. The pace was fast, but not many riders dropped off, indicating a strong peloton.
But punch, meet counter-punch. A lap after the first break was caught, a thinner bunch of eight pushed clear – including Roberts – in another test of the peloton’s resolve and a hope that one of those bursts off the front might amount to something.
That didn’t happen. A combination of a pair of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli riders, and Sabgal/Anicolor’s Ollie Rees, pulled the breakaway back in and settled down into a big leading bunch.
With six laps remaining, the tactics appeared to shift, the high pace at the front deterring breaks and dwindling down the leading group, riders worn down by the relentless speed and rising temperatures.
2024 Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
John Archibald of HUUB WattShop and Will Perrett of Spirit TBW Stuart Hall Cycling made a significant move out in the country, building up a half-minute lead as they headed back into Lincoln, which later extended to 50 seconds. Archibald proved stronger up Michaelgate and decisively broke away a lap later, leaving Perrett to contend with Matt Holmes, who surged from the chase group to pursue the Spirit racer.
Although Archibald has a history of bold breakaway victories, like the 2019 Stockton Grand Prix, the Lincoln course challenged him significantly. By the 10th lap, his lead dwindled until he was caught on the cobbled climb by the chase group.
Sensing an opportunity, Reflex Racing’s Archie Peet put in an attack of his own coming out of the left-hander at the top of the Michaelgate, with Rees and Thom Portsmouth (Bingoal WB) at the front of the pack behind, with Richardson a length further back. Peet’s dig didn’t last, the slowly disintegrating lead group completing attack after attack. On the next ascent it was George Kimber (Spirit TBW Stuart Hall Cycling) who led, pursued by Adam Lewis (Team Skyline) and Matt Bostock (Ribble Rebellion).
National Road Series 2024 – Rapha Men’s Lincoln Grand Prix. Image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
Then, on the penultimate climb of Michaelgate, two-time Richardson surged forward. The effort took him to the line first, the bell was ringing for the last lap. Richardson raised his arms in celebration, but he’d miscounted. No harm done, it seemed, as he and Lewis carried on with a small margin – Kimber, David Hird (Cycling Sheffield), Holmes and XSpeed United Continental’s Matthew King all providing the chasing force behind and looking to keep the lead duo honest.
Come the final lap and they all came together to form an attacking group of six with the win anyone’s to play for.
As it should, the decisive move came on the final ascent of Michaelgate with Holmes’s punch no match for his competitors. Rounding the final corners under the looming presence of the Lincoln Cathedral, Holmes had enough in hand to to seal a remarkable return to racing, a few lengths ahead of Lewis, himself a couple of lengths clear of King. Richardson took fifth, a rare event these days not to see any Saint Piran riders on the podium.
Matt Holmes wins the Lincoln Grand Prix. Image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
The new National Road Series leader is Wheelbase CabTech Castelli’s Tim Shoreman, who finished 11th on the day. He sits just two points ahead of Le Col RT’s Damien Clayton, who finished 9th. Previous leader Rowan Baker (Saint Piran) slips to third place in the Series rankings after coming 18th.
The next round of the National Road Series is the Lancaster Grand Prix in July.
Matt Holmes speaks to The British Continental after his Lincoln GP win
Kate Richardson (Lifeplus-Wahoo) stormed to her first National Road Series win at the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix, bathed in glorious May sunhsine. In the open race, Matt Holmes recorded a remarkable return from retirement with his first victory atop Michaelgate.
Featured Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Reports
Women’s race
The 116 starters were treated to blue skies and beautiful sunshine for the women’s Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix, a cool breeze adding welcome relief to the morning air.
The race remained cagey in the opening laps. Frankie Hall (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) put in a dig on the first ascent of eight up Michaelgate, but was quickly reeled in. On the following lap the peloton was altogether up the cobbles, although with riders already going at the back, the race was already being decided for some.
National Road Series team leaders Alba Road Development Team were beset by misfortunate on third lap. New signing Caitlin Dimbleby had to abandon after a crash, while individual Series leader Eilidh Shaw was also a crash victim, the delay leaving her well behind in the third group on the road.
At the front, it was hard to pick a favourite with CiCLE Classic winner Eluned King (Lifeplus-Wahoo), her team-mate Kate Richardson, Mayo Van’t Geloof (Hess Cycling Team), East Cleveland Classic winner Cat Ferguson (Shibden Apex RT), Ferguson’s teammate Imogen Wolff, Lucy Gadd (Pro-Noctis – 200 Degrees Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting), Monica Greenwood (Team Coop-Hitec Products) and the DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK duo of Ruth Shier and Lucy Lee all visible at the front.
Come the halfway mark and there was the first significant attack as Shier and fellow DAS rider Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne went clear with Katy Hill (London Academy) and Molly Patch (The Phoenix Collective). Building up a lead of 35 seconds as they crossed the line with four laps to go, it looked like the quartet had the makings of a handy break.
However, they didn’t count for the determination of King & Richardson who, with support from Shibden Apex RT, cut their advantage down to five seconds at the foot of Michaelgate and then fully pulled them back on at the top with two laps remaining.
On the penultimate lap, more attacks followed. First, Jo Tindley (Pro-Noctis – 200 Degrees Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting) and Charlotte Berry (The Phoenix Collective) went for clear while the race was out in the countryside but their escape was short-lived.
Richardson then attacked on the penultimate ascent of the Michaelgate, creating what proved to be a decisive gap. Ferguson chased hard, pulling Wolff and King with her, but Richardson was still alone at the top, the bell – and the crowds – ringing in her ears.
Onto the final loop of the course, Richardson didn’t relent and crossed the line with a handy advantage over Ferguson – who couldn’t put a dent in Richardson’s eventual winning margin despite mounting a challenge on the final climb up Michaelgate. Wolff rounded out the podium to cap yet another impressive race for the junior Shibden Apex RT squad.
With Shaw not in the running after her crash, Loughborough Lightning’s Lucy Harris now leads the National Road Series, six points ahead of Ferguson. Ferguson’s Shibden Apex team are now the team Series leaders.
Open race
146 riders took to an increasingly warm Lincoln on one of the hottest days of the year. With the threat of another Saint Piran masterclass a real possibility – Alex Richardson started the 68th edition of the Grand Prix with the real prospect of securing a hat trick after heading a Saint Piran 1-2-3 last season – the rest of peloton was on guard from the very start.
In the opening laps, it seemed as though the bunch had read Matt Holmes’ words about taking the race to the Cornish squad and went immediately on the offensive.
Cameron McLaren (TAAP Kalas) had the honour of being the first to the top on the initial ascent of Michaelgate, opening a handy gap of a couple of seconds over a dozen or so riders who in turn had distanced the main pack.
By the next lap, a cohesive group of 12 had formed, including McLaren, with Will Roberts the sole Saint Piran represenatative. This group stayed ahead until the fourth lap when the chasing bunch managed to haul them back, forming a large, compact group. The pace was fast, but not many riders dropped off, indicating a strong peloton.
But punch, meet counter-punch. A lap after the first break was caught, a thinner bunch of eight pushed clear – including Roberts – in another test of the peloton’s resolve and a hope that one of those bursts off the front might amount to something.
That didn’t happen. A combination of a pair of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli riders, and Sabgal/Anicolor’s Ollie Rees, pulled the breakaway back in and settled down into a big leading bunch.
With six laps remaining, the tactics appeared to shift, the high pace at the front deterring breaks and dwindling down the leading group, riders worn down by the relentless speed and rising temperatures.
John Archibald of HUUB WattShop and Will Perrett of Spirit TBW Stuart Hall Cycling made a significant move out in the country, building up a half-minute lead as they headed back into Lincoln, which later extended to 50 seconds. Archibald proved stronger up Michaelgate and decisively broke away a lap later, leaving Perrett to contend with Matt Holmes, who surged from the chase group to pursue the Spirit racer.
Although Archibald has a history of bold breakaway victories, like the 2019 Stockton Grand Prix, the Lincoln course challenged him significantly. By the 10th lap, his lead dwindled until he was caught on the cobbled climb by the chase group.
Sensing an opportunity, Reflex Racing’s Archie Peet put in an attack of his own coming out of the left-hander at the top of the Michaelgate, with Rees and Thom Portsmouth (Bingoal WB) at the front of the pack behind, with Richardson a length further back. Peet’s dig didn’t last, the slowly disintegrating lead group completing attack after attack. On the next ascent it was George Kimber (Spirit TBW Stuart Hall Cycling) who led, pursued by Adam Lewis (Team Skyline) and Matt Bostock (Ribble Rebellion).
Then, on the penultimate climb of Michaelgate, two-time Richardson surged forward. The effort took him to the line first, the bell was ringing for the last lap. Richardson raised his arms in celebration, but he’d miscounted. No harm done, it seemed, as he and Lewis carried on with a small margin – Kimber, David Hird (Cycling Sheffield), Holmes and XSpeed United Continental’s Matthew King all providing the chasing force behind and looking to keep the lead duo honest.
Come the final lap and they all came together to form an attacking group of six with the win anyone’s to play for.
As it should, the decisive move came on the final ascent of Michaelgate with Holmes’s punch no match for his competitors. Rounding the final corners under the looming presence of the Lincoln Cathedral, Holmes had enough in hand to to seal a remarkable return to racing, a few lengths ahead of Lewis, himself a couple of lengths clear of King. Richardson took fifth, a rare event these days not to see any Saint Piran riders on the podium.
The new National Road Series leader is Wheelbase CabTech Castelli’s Tim Shoreman, who finished 11th on the day. He sits just two points ahead of Le Col RT’s Damien Clayton, who finished 9th. Previous leader Rowan Baker (Saint Piran) slips to third place in the Series rankings after coming 18th.
The next round of the National Road Series is the Lancaster Grand Prix in July.
Results
Women’s race
Open race
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