19-year-old Emma Jeffers (Liv AlUla Jayco Continental Team) stormed to victory with a perfectly timed sprint to pip Eilidh Shaw (Alba Development Road Team) to the 2024 National Circuit Race Championship title.
In a thrilling display of strategy and power in the men’s race, Lewis Askey of Groupama-FDJ emerged victorious as the French squad showcased their dominance throughout the race, culminating in a clean sweep of the podium.
Featured image: SWpix.com
Reports
Women’s race
The 2024 National Circuit Race Championships in Darlington proved to be a riveting spectacle, with Emma Jeffers (Liv AlUla Jayco Continental Team) clinching a dramatic victory in the final metres of the race.
The technical 1.28km circuit challenged the riders from the start, and the early stages were marked by prominent displays from Doltcini-O’Shea and DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK teams at the front. Many of the pre-favourites, including Jeffers and Monica Greenwood (Team Coop-Repsol), could be seen following wheels at the front without committing to an early push.
2024 Lloyds Bank National Road Championships – Circuit Race: Women – Darlington, County Durham, England – Sophie Lewis of DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK on the attack. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
However, the calm facade was soon broken when Jeffers, in a bold move, surged ahead with Sophie Lewis of DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK on a technical section. The pair created a promising gap, but Tilly McKibben of Doltcini-O’Shea spearheaded the chase to bring them back.
Defending champion Meg Barker of Tekkerz CC made her presence known in the posse of favourites towards the front as Frankie Hall (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) took control, driving a relentless pace that stretched the pack thin, with only about 30 riders remaining after the first 15 minutes.
A significant attack by Lewis was the first to truly stick, as Barker and Jenny Holl (Loughborough Lightning) took turns leading the chase. Despite their efforts, the peloton appeared hesitant, allowing Lewis to build a sizeable gap. It wasn’t until Eilidh Shaw (Alba Development Road Team) took command, supported by Holl and Barker, that the chase gained momentum and Lewis’ move was snuffed out.
2024 Lloyds Bank National Road Championships – Circuit Race: Women – Darlington, County Durham, England – Megan Barker of TEKKERZ CC. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
The race was marred by a crash at the 20-minute mark, taking out Hall and a Saint Piran WRT rider. Although Hall managed to remount and continue, she was left in a small group trailing the main bunch.
As the race approached its climax, Robyn Clay (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK), Eilidh Shaw, and Lucy Ellmore (Pro-Noctis – 200º Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd) rotated at the front. Jeffers remained a constant presence, strategically positioned just behind the leaders, conserving energy for the final assault.
With five laps to go, Lucy Lee of DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK made a push, moving clear with Esther Wong (Shibden Apex RT) and Greenwood but the move was were swiftly neutralised. The race remained tightly packed until Amy Gornall (Pro-Noctis – 200º Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd) launched a significant attack with two laps to go, shaking up the dynamic.
2024 Lloyds Bank National Road Championships – Circuit Race: Women – Darlington, County Durham, England – Emma Jeffers of Liv AlUla Jayco Wins the National Circuit Race. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Gornall was caught, however, and on the final lap, Shaw made a decisive early move, creating a gap as she entered the finishing straight. However, Jeffers, displaying remarkable timing and strength, unleashed a powerful sprint to overtake a fading Shaw and secure victory in a thrilling finale.
Isabel Darvill of Doltcini-O’Shea rounded off the podium, taking third place.
Emma Jeffers talks to Alice McWilliam
Men’s race
A full field of riders lined up for the men’s race and the action began early when Sam Watson from Groupama-FDJ, made a move was joined by Rob Scott from Tekkerz CC. Their duo didn’t last long, however, as Watson’s teammate, Lewis Askey, bridged across, forming a powerful trio that worked efficiently to stretch their lead to over 30 seconds.
2024 Lloyds Bank National Road Championships – Circuit Race: Open – Darlington, County Durham, England – The Break – Lewis Askey of GROUPAMA – FDJ, Robert Scott of TEKKERZ CC and Samuel Watson of GROUPAMA – FDJ. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
The Ribble Rebellion team, led by former National Circuit Race Champion Matt Bostock and his teammate Max Rushby, initiated the chase. Despite their efforts, the gap only shrank to around 15-16 seconds, hampered by a lack of cooperation among the chasers and tactical interference from Groupama-FDJ riders Noah Hobbs and Matt Walls. Bostock’s frustration was evident as the chase struggled to gain momentum.
At the 45-minute mark, the gap remained at approximately 15 seconds. Scott, likely contemplating his strategy against the formidable Groupama-FDJ duo, soon faced a decisive test. Watson launched a probing attack, forcing Scott to respond. This set the stage for Askey, who executed a daring manoeuvre by squeezing between Watson and the barriers on the finishing straight, a move that saw the two riders bumping elbows. Askey’s burst of speed left Scott unable to counter, and he quickly opened up a significant lead.
2024 Lloyds Bank National Road Championships – Circuit Race: Open – Darlington, County Durham, England – Matthew Bostock of Ribble Rebellion. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
With Askey’s advantage over the peloton expanding to 25 seconds and Scott unwilling to chase while Watson refused to work with him, the pair were eventually reeled in by the charging bunch as the five laps to go sign was displayed.
Askey, now seemingly uncatchable, fought valiantly to maintain his lead, his determination evident as he rocked and rolled, tongue out, pushing to extract every last watt of power. Meanwhile, the peloton began jostling for the remaining podium positions. Harry Tanfield of Saint Piran moved to the front with three laps left, before Ribble Rebellion and Groupama-FDJ riders amassed at the head of the pack with two laps to go. Will Truelove of Thriva-SRCT also made his presence felt.
With one lap remaining, Bostock led the peloton, three Groupama-FDJ riders in tow. Askey, now in the finishing straight, allowed himself a broad smile, punching the air in triumph as he crossed the line to secure victory.
2024 Lloyds Bank National Road Championships – Circuit Race: Open – Darlington, County Durham, England – Lewis Askey of GROUPAMA – FDJ wins the Open National Circuit title. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Behind him, his teammates Matt Walls and Noah Hobbs completed the podium, ensuring a dominant display by Groupama-FDJ. Their performance not only underscored their tactical prowess but also their strength in depth, making them, perhaps, the team to watch at the road race on Sunday.
19-year-old Emma Jeffers (Liv AlUla Jayco Continental Team) stormed to victory with a perfectly timed sprint to pip Eilidh Shaw (Alba Development Road Team) to the 2024 National Circuit Race Championship title.
In a thrilling display of strategy and power in the men’s race, Lewis Askey of Groupama-FDJ emerged victorious as the French squad showcased their dominance throughout the race, culminating in a clean sweep of the podium.
Featured image: SWpix.com
Reports
Women’s race
The 2024 National Circuit Race Championships in Darlington proved to be a riveting spectacle, with Emma Jeffers (Liv AlUla Jayco Continental Team) clinching a dramatic victory in the final metres of the race.
The technical 1.28km circuit challenged the riders from the start, and the early stages were marked by prominent displays from Doltcini-O’Shea and DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK teams at the front. Many of the pre-favourites, including Jeffers and Monica Greenwood (Team Coop-Repsol), could be seen following wheels at the front without committing to an early push.
However, the calm facade was soon broken when Jeffers, in a bold move, surged ahead with Sophie Lewis of DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK on a technical section. The pair created a promising gap, but Tilly McKibben of Doltcini-O’Shea spearheaded the chase to bring them back.
Defending champion Meg Barker of Tekkerz CC made her presence known in the posse of favourites towards the front as Frankie Hall (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) took control, driving a relentless pace that stretched the pack thin, with only about 30 riders remaining after the first 15 minutes.
A significant attack by Lewis was the first to truly stick, as Barker and Jenny Holl (Loughborough Lightning) took turns leading the chase. Despite their efforts, the peloton appeared hesitant, allowing Lewis to build a sizeable gap. It wasn’t until Eilidh Shaw (Alba Development Road Team) took command, supported by Holl and Barker, that the chase gained momentum and Lewis’ move was snuffed out.
The race was marred by a crash at the 20-minute mark, taking out Hall and a Saint Piran WRT rider. Although Hall managed to remount and continue, she was left in a small group trailing the main bunch.
As the race approached its climax, Robyn Clay (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK), Eilidh Shaw, and Lucy Ellmore (Pro-Noctis – 200º Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd) rotated at the front. Jeffers remained a constant presence, strategically positioned just behind the leaders, conserving energy for the final assault.
With five laps to go, Lucy Lee of DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK made a push, moving clear with Esther Wong (Shibden Apex RT) and Greenwood but the move was were swiftly neutralised. The race remained tightly packed until Amy Gornall (Pro-Noctis – 200º Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd) launched a significant attack with two laps to go, shaking up the dynamic.
Gornall was caught, however, and on the final lap, Shaw made a decisive early move, creating a gap as she entered the finishing straight. However, Jeffers, displaying remarkable timing and strength, unleashed a powerful sprint to overtake a fading Shaw and secure victory in a thrilling finale.
Isabel Darvill of Doltcini-O’Shea rounded off the podium, taking third place.
Men’s race
A full field of riders lined up for the men’s race and the action began early when Sam Watson from Groupama-FDJ, made a move was joined by Rob Scott from Tekkerz CC. Their duo didn’t last long, however, as Watson’s teammate, Lewis Askey, bridged across, forming a powerful trio that worked efficiently to stretch their lead to over 30 seconds.
The Ribble Rebellion team, led by former National Circuit Race Champion Matt Bostock and his teammate Max Rushby, initiated the chase. Despite their efforts, the gap only shrank to around 15-16 seconds, hampered by a lack of cooperation among the chasers and tactical interference from Groupama-FDJ riders Noah Hobbs and Matt Walls. Bostock’s frustration was evident as the chase struggled to gain momentum.
At the 45-minute mark, the gap remained at approximately 15 seconds. Scott, likely contemplating his strategy against the formidable Groupama-FDJ duo, soon faced a decisive test. Watson launched a probing attack, forcing Scott to respond. This set the stage for Askey, who executed a daring manoeuvre by squeezing between Watson and the barriers on the finishing straight, a move that saw the two riders bumping elbows. Askey’s burst of speed left Scott unable to counter, and he quickly opened up a significant lead.
With Askey’s advantage over the peloton expanding to 25 seconds and Scott unwilling to chase while Watson refused to work with him, the pair were eventually reeled in by the charging bunch as the five laps to go sign was displayed.
Askey, now seemingly uncatchable, fought valiantly to maintain his lead, his determination evident as he rocked and rolled, tongue out, pushing to extract every last watt of power. Meanwhile, the peloton began jostling for the remaining podium positions. Harry Tanfield of Saint Piran moved to the front with three laps left, before Ribble Rebellion and Groupama-FDJ riders amassed at the head of the pack with two laps to go. Will Truelove of Thriva-SRCT also made his presence felt.
With one lap remaining, Bostock led the peloton, three Groupama-FDJ riders in tow. Askey, now in the finishing straight, allowed himself a broad smile, punching the air in triumph as he crossed the line to secure victory.
Behind him, his teammates Matt Walls and Noah Hobbs completed the podium, ensuring a dominant display by Groupama-FDJ. Their performance not only underscored their tactical prowess but also their strength in depth, making them, perhaps, the team to watch at the road race on Sunday.
Results
Women’s race
Men’s race
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