The 2024 edition of the Bec CC road race, covering 125 kilometres on the edge of the Ashdown Forest, was marked by intense heat and strategic racing. The National B event unfolded over an innovative and well-regarded course that combines the Ladies Mile and Crowborough circuits.
Perhaps stifled by the heat, the race’s early stages saw the peloton maintaining a steady pace, with no significant breakaways occurring until the fifth of ten laps on the Ladies Mile circuit, when George Spooner (Le Col RT) and James Somerfield (Trash Mile RT) broke clear. The pair worked effectively together, maintaining their lead until the race entered the Crowborough circuit, five ascents of the challenging Marden’s Hill awaiting.
Here, the race dynamic changed, with the pace, the terrain – and the heat – combining to whittle the peloton down. The second time up Marden’s Hill a lead group of 15 riders had a 30 second advantage. Among the leaders were Joe Brookes (AVC Aix-en-Provence), Gabe Dellar (StolenGoat RT), Oliver Richardson (Le Col RT), Chris McNamara (Sigma Sports RT), Casper Brazier (Trash Mile) and Tobias Dahlhaus (Foran CT). Combining well, their lead had grown to three minutes a lap later.
The race was decided on the final ascent of Marden’s Hill, where Gabe Dellar powered clear. Dellar established a 15-second lead, which he maintained over the final 7 kilometres to the finish, crossing the line to take a first triumphant National B road race victory.
“Some great advice from my team mate to just be patient coming into the last few laps paid dividends,” Dellar told The British Continental after the race. “On the fifth and final time up the climb I looked around and everyone looked to be suffering – me included – but I thought I’d roll the dice and just give it a dig. I didn’t look back and rode the climb as hard as I could emptying everything the legs had.
“I got a decent gap of 15-20 seconds and just knew I had to hold on for the final 7km or so solo. To my surprise I managed it and got my first ever National B win!”
Gabe Dellar (StolenGoat RT) won the Bec CC road race on Sunday 12 May, taking his first National B road race victory in the process.
Featured image: Mark James
Report
The 2024 edition of the Bec CC road race, covering 125 kilometres on the edge of the Ashdown Forest, was marked by intense heat and strategic racing. The National B event unfolded over an innovative and well-regarded course that combines the Ladies Mile and Crowborough circuits.
Perhaps stifled by the heat, the race’s early stages saw the peloton maintaining a steady pace, with no significant breakaways occurring until the fifth of ten laps on the Ladies Mile circuit, when George Spooner (Le Col RT) and James Somerfield (Trash Mile RT) broke clear. The pair worked effectively together, maintaining their lead until the race entered the Crowborough circuit, five ascents of the challenging Marden’s Hill awaiting.
Here, the race dynamic changed, with the pace, the terrain – and the heat – combining to whittle the peloton down. The second time up Marden’s Hill a lead group of 15 riders had a 30 second advantage. Among the leaders were Joe Brookes (AVC Aix-en-Provence), Gabe Dellar (StolenGoat RT), Oliver Richardson (Le Col RT), Chris McNamara (Sigma Sports RT), Casper Brazier (Trash Mile) and Tobias Dahlhaus (Foran CT). Combining well, their lead had grown to three minutes a lap later.
The race was decided on the final ascent of Marden’s Hill, where Gabe Dellar powered clear. Dellar established a 15-second lead, which he maintained over the final 7 kilometres to the finish, crossing the line to take a first triumphant National B road race victory.
“Some great advice from my team mate to just be patient coming into the last few laps paid dividends,” Dellar told The British Continental after the race. “On the fifth and final time up the climb I looked around and everyone looked to be suffering – me included – but I thought I’d roll the dice and just give it a dig. I didn’t look back and rode the climb as hard as I could emptying everything the legs had.
“I got a decent gap of 15-20 seconds and just knew I had to hold on for the final 7km or so solo. To my surprise I managed it and got my first ever National B win!”
Results
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