Josh Housley (HUUB BCC RT) took his first ever National B road race win against a stellar field at the London Dynamo Summer Road Race, Sunday 9 June.
In the women’s event, which formed Round 4 of the British Team Cup, British-Bolivian Floren Villanueva Scrafton took FTP-Fulfil-the Potential-Racing’s second victory of the series with a powerful finish.
Report
Open race
The open race was held on the scenic Chiddingfold course near Haslemere, featured seven laps of a challenging 17.7km circuit, drawing a competitive field including Rás Tailteann winner Dom Jackson (Foran CT), four Saint Piran riders and our national road race rankings leader Damien Clayton (Le Col RT).
The competitive field set a blistering pace from the outset, with multiple attempts to break away from the peloton. Race winner Josh Housley (HUUB BCC RT) recounted the early dynamics: “The race was a fast pace to start off with. Not many moves got more than a few hundred meters up the road. After an hour, you could feel the legs of some people beginning to tie up.”
Housley and Jackson go through Chiddingfield village. Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
It was at this point that Clayton made a move on the back of the course, which Housley followed. Although they were reeled back, this set the stage for Housley’s strategic attack. “I decided to use it as an opportunity to attack over the top before it was fully caught,” Housley recalled.
With other riders following Housley’s move, a significant break formed involving Housley, Oliver Hurdle (Stolen Goat RT), Jackson, Matthew Webber (Wolfox CAMS Le Col) and one other. This group worked cohesively to build a substantial lead, which peaked at around 1 minute 20 seconds.
However, the chasing peloton, began to close the gap, forcing the breakaway to intensify their efforts. Housley noted, “After hearing that the gap was beginning to fall, we upped the pace, causing one lad to drop off.”
As the race neared its conclusion, a crucial moment unfolded. A large group of chasers containing all the major contenders, bar Alex Richardson (Saint Piran) who’d had the misfortunate to veer off when chasing back on after a mechanical, managed to bridge the gap, bringing fresh legs into the fray. Hurdle described this pivotal juncture: “With a lap to go, we still had about a minute or 50 seconds. But then loads of people started coming across with about half a lap to go.”
David Hird leads the chase. Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
Recognising the threat, Housley and Hurdle launched a counter-attack, hoping to exploit any hesitation among their rivals. “Both me and Josh decided to go straight up the road as they got there, hoping that they would look around at each other quite a bit,” said Hurdle.
Housley and Hurdle were joined by Chris McNamara (Sigma Sports RT) and the trio worked together until the final kilometres. Hurdle made a bold attack on a small rise two kilometres from the finish, which dropped McNamara, but Housley remained resolute.
As they approached the finish line, Hurdle was the first to jump but Housley countered and drove clear to take the win. “Ollie opened up the sprint initially, and I kicked around him to take the win,” Housley explained. Bradley Symonds of Saint Piran led home the chasing bunch to take third place.
Housely wins. Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
The 2024 London Dynamo Summer Road Races open race highlighted the high level of competition and strategic depth within the cycling community. Housley’s victory underscored his tactical intelligence and resilience, marking a significant achievement in his racing career. As the cycling season progresses, all eyes will be on these elite riders, anticipating more thrilling performances and intense rivalries.
Women’s race
The race was intense from the outset. Among the early aggressors were Dannie Watkinson (Jadan Vive le Velo), Katherine Sheridan (Private Member), and Ione Johnson (The Phoenix Collective), Georgia Bullard (Doltcini O’Shea). This aggressive start led to the peloton being strung out, with numerous riders being distanced early on.
However, the dynamics of the race shifted dramatically on the second lap. A crash at the front involving several key riders, including race favorrite Katy Hill (London Academy), forced the race to be neutralised. Floren Scrafton, who had just returned from competing at the Pan-American Championships in Brazil, was among those affected by the crash. Despite a dropped chain and minor injuries, Scrafton managed to rejoin the race. Hill, however, was forced to abandon and taken to hospital.
Reflecting on the incident, Scrafton said, “It was a sudden crash involving Grace Reynolds, Katy Hill, and a couple of others. My chain came off and I was a bit cut up, but I was so lucky to be okay and chase back on. Gutted for Katy as I heard later she may have broken her wrists.”
As the race resumed, a series of tactical moves unfolded. Sav Morgan (London Academy) and Scrafton launched an attack on a climb, gaining a small advantage momentarily. This effort was swiftly countered by a Jadan Vive le Velo rider, leading to a brief stabilisation in the peloton as riders prepared for the final laps.
The penultimate and final laps saw renewed aggression. Watkinson and Lydia Watts (The Phoenix Collective) initiated a long-range attack approaching the finish, which ramped up the tension. Scrafton, alongside her teammate Anna Boniface, stayed near the front, biding her time. After Watkinson and Watts had been reeled in, Helen Ralston of Paceline RT countered with a late attack.
“I had planned to break solo on the penultimate climb before the sharp left turn and fast descent,” Scrafton explained. “But the peloton was pushing hard to bring back the Paceline girl who made a move. Therefore, I sat in and waited for the final kicker to push hard for the win. The hard part was being patient and waiting for the right moment.”
Her patience paid off. In the final stretch, Scrafton unleashed a powerful sprint, crossing the finish line ahead of Cecilia Hime of Paradigm Cycles, who both overhauled Ralston in the closing stages. Grace Reynolds (Brother UK-Team OnForm) won the Combativity Award.
Scrafton wins. Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
FTP-Fulfil the Potential-Racing won the round in the team competition, catapulting them to the top of British Team Cup standings. The Phoenix Collective remain second as DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK – who did not race this round – slip to third, tied on points with London Academy’s Orange Race Team. Three teams sit within 11 points of DAS and London Academy.
With three rounds remaining, there is still plenty to play for.
Josh Housley (HUUB BCC RT) took his first ever National B road race win against a stellar field at the London Dynamo Summer Road Race, Sunday 9 June.
In the women’s event, which formed Round 4 of the British Team Cup, British-Bolivian Floren Villanueva Scrafton took FTP-Fulfil-the Potential-Racing’s second victory of the series with a powerful finish.
Report
Open race
The open race was held on the scenic Chiddingfold course near Haslemere, featured seven laps of a challenging 17.7km circuit, drawing a competitive field including Rás Tailteann winner Dom Jackson (Foran CT), four Saint Piran riders and our national road race rankings leader Damien Clayton (Le Col RT).
The competitive field set a blistering pace from the outset, with multiple attempts to break away from the peloton. Race winner Josh Housley (HUUB BCC RT) recounted the early dynamics: “The race was a fast pace to start off with. Not many moves got more than a few hundred meters up the road. After an hour, you could feel the legs of some people beginning to tie up.”
It was at this point that Clayton made a move on the back of the course, which Housley followed. Although they were reeled back, this set the stage for Housley’s strategic attack. “I decided to use it as an opportunity to attack over the top before it was fully caught,” Housley recalled.
With other riders following Housley’s move, a significant break formed involving Housley, Oliver Hurdle (Stolen Goat RT), Jackson, Matthew Webber (Wolfox CAMS Le Col) and one other. This group worked cohesively to build a substantial lead, which peaked at around 1 minute 20 seconds.
However, the chasing peloton, began to close the gap, forcing the breakaway to intensify their efforts. Housley noted, “After hearing that the gap was beginning to fall, we upped the pace, causing one lad to drop off.”
As the race neared its conclusion, a crucial moment unfolded. A large group of chasers containing all the major contenders, bar Alex Richardson (Saint Piran) who’d had the misfortunate to veer off when chasing back on after a mechanical, managed to bridge the gap, bringing fresh legs into the fray. Hurdle described this pivotal juncture: “With a lap to go, we still had about a minute or 50 seconds. But then loads of people started coming across with about half a lap to go.”
Recognising the threat, Housley and Hurdle launched a counter-attack, hoping to exploit any hesitation among their rivals. “Both me and Josh decided to go straight up the road as they got there, hoping that they would look around at each other quite a bit,” said Hurdle.
Housley and Hurdle were joined by Chris McNamara (Sigma Sports RT) and the trio worked together until the final kilometres. Hurdle made a bold attack on a small rise two kilometres from the finish, which dropped McNamara, but Housley remained resolute.
As they approached the finish line, Hurdle was the first to jump but Housley countered and drove clear to take the win. “Ollie opened up the sprint initially, and I kicked around him to take the win,” Housley explained. Bradley Symonds of Saint Piran led home the chasing bunch to take third place.
The 2024 London Dynamo Summer Road Races open race highlighted the high level of competition and strategic depth within the cycling community. Housley’s victory underscored his tactical intelligence and resilience, marking a significant achievement in his racing career. As the cycling season progresses, all eyes will be on these elite riders, anticipating more thrilling performances and intense rivalries.
Women’s race
The race was intense from the outset. Among the early aggressors were Dannie Watkinson (Jadan Vive le Velo), Katherine Sheridan (Private Member), and Ione Johnson (The Phoenix Collective), Georgia Bullard (Doltcini O’Shea). This aggressive start led to the peloton being strung out, with numerous riders being distanced early on.
However, the dynamics of the race shifted dramatically on the second lap. A crash at the front involving several key riders, including race favorrite Katy Hill (London Academy), forced the race to be neutralised. Floren Scrafton, who had just returned from competing at the Pan-American Championships in Brazil, was among those affected by the crash. Despite a dropped chain and minor injuries, Scrafton managed to rejoin the race. Hill, however, was forced to abandon and taken to hospital.
Reflecting on the incident, Scrafton said, “It was a sudden crash involving Grace Reynolds, Katy Hill, and a couple of others. My chain came off and I was a bit cut up, but I was so lucky to be okay and chase back on. Gutted for Katy as I heard later she may have broken her wrists.”
As the race resumed, a series of tactical moves unfolded. Sav Morgan (London Academy) and Scrafton launched an attack on a climb, gaining a small advantage momentarily. This effort was swiftly countered by a Jadan Vive le Velo rider, leading to a brief stabilisation in the peloton as riders prepared for the final laps.
The penultimate and final laps saw renewed aggression. Watkinson and Lydia Watts (The Phoenix Collective) initiated a long-range attack approaching the finish, which ramped up the tension. Scrafton, alongside her teammate Anna Boniface, stayed near the front, biding her time. After Watkinson and Watts had been reeled in, Helen Ralston of Paceline RT countered with a late attack.
“I had planned to break solo on the penultimate climb before the sharp left turn and fast descent,” Scrafton explained. “But the peloton was pushing hard to bring back the Paceline girl who made a move. Therefore, I sat in and waited for the final kicker to push hard for the win. The hard part was being patient and waiting for the right moment.”
Her patience paid off. In the final stretch, Scrafton unleashed a powerful sprint, crossing the finish line ahead of Cecilia Hime of Paradigm Cycles, who both overhauled Ralston in the closing stages. Grace Reynolds (Brother UK-Team OnForm) won the Combativity Award.
FTP-Fulfil the Potential-Racing won the round in the team competition, catapulting them to the top of British Team Cup standings. The Phoenix Collective remain second as DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK – who did not race this round – slip to third, tied on points with London Academy’s Orange Race Team. Three teams sit within 11 points of DAS and London Academy.
With three rounds remaining, there is still plenty to play for.
Round 5 of the British Team Cup takes place at the Solihull CC Road Race on 14 July.
Results
Open race
Women’s race
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