Frankie Hall (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) and Matt Bostock (Ribble Rebellion) won the first round of the National Circuit Series at the Otley Cycle Races, 26 June 2024
The 2024 Santini Women’s Otley Grand Prix, the opening round of the women’s National Circuit Series, delivered a thrilling finale with Frankie Hall (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) pipping Danni Watkinson (Jadan Vive le Velo) to take her first National Circuit Series win.
Former national circuit race champion Matt Bostock sprinted to victory in The Rayner Foundation Men’s Otley Grand Prix, finishing off a near-perfect night of teamwork by his Ribble Rebellion team.
Featured image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Report
Santini Women’s Otley Grand Prix
With a packed field, including the new national circuit race champion Emma Jeffers, and fine weather, conditions were perfect for the Santini Women’s Otley Grand Prix, round one of the National Circuit Series.
From the start, the pace was set high, Jennifer Powell of the Performance Development Team leading the pack at the end of the first lap. The early laps saw teams jockeying for position without committing to early attacks, the Tofauti Everyone Active and Spectra Racing riders maintaining a strong presence at the front.
2024 Lloyds Bank National Circuit Series – Otley Cycle Races – Santini Women’s Grand Prix and The Rayner Foundation Grand Prix. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
With 50 minutes to go, the first significant attack was launched by 2023 national circuit race champion Megan Barker (TEKKERZ CC). DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK rider Frankie Hall joined her, but the effort was quickly neutralised by the junior Shibden Apex Race Team.
As the race progressed, attacks and counterattacks came in quick succession. Movistar-bound Cat Ferguson’s (Shibden Apex RT) aggressive move on the downhill section into the start-finish straight created a brief group of five that included Barker, last year’s victor Sophie Lewis (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK), and Jeffers.
As that bunch was re-absorbed, Lewis launched an opportunistic move to push clear, forming a temporary trio with Ferguson and her teammate Imogen Wolff. More riders started to add muscle, with Lewis’ teammate Lucy Lee and Pro-Noctis rider Amy Gornall bridging across, but with 20 minutes completed the pace in the break started to slow, allowing the peloton to regroup
2024 Lloyds Bank National Circuit Series – Otley Cycle Races – Santini Women’s Grand Prix and The Rayner Foundation Grand Prix. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Frankie Hall seized this moment, launching what started as a solo attack before being joined by Jadan Vive Le Velo’s Danielle Watkinson to help share the workload and stretch their advantage.
With 35 minutes left, Hall and Watkinson had built a substantial 15-second lead. Despite a valiant chase by the peloton, their gap continued to widen, reaching 18 seconds with 30 minutes remaining. Hall dominated the front, with Watkinson contributing sporadically, yet effectively.
As the laps dwindled, the duo’s lead seemed unassailable. Despite the peloton’s increased efforts, Hall and Watkinson’s coordination ensured their advantage grew to 24 seconds with just two laps to go.
2024 Lloyds Bank National Circuit Series – Otley Cycle Races – Santini Women’s Grand Prix and The Rayner Foundation Grand Prix – Winner Frankie Hall of DAS Hutchinson Brother UK. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
In the final moments, Frankie Hall showcased her strength and determination, hitting the finishing straight first and securing her maiden National Circuit Series win, Watkinson close behind.
Ferguson demonstrated her sprinting prowess, comfortably winning the bunch sprint to claim the final podium spot, with her teammate Esther Wong fourth.
Hall is the first leader of the 2024 National Circuit Series, with her team DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK team leading the team standings, seven points ahead of Shibden Apex RT.
The Rayner Foundation Men’s Otley Grand Prix
The Rayner Foundation Otley Grand Prix was all about strength in numbers, with the biggest teams controlling the first few laps. Wheelbase CabTech Castelli and Ribble Rebellion kept a tight leash on proceedings.
Only one attack was allowed early on, as Jake Scott (REMBE Pro Cycling Team Sauerland) made a solo effort. However, without support, he was soon absorbed by the peloton.
2024 Lloyds Bank National Circuit Series – Otley Cycle Races – Santini Women’s Grand Prix and The Rayner Foundation Grand Prix. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
The tightly packed peloton inevitably led to trouble. Just a few laps in, the first significant crash occurred when Matthew Webster (Loughborough Students CC) and Ben Marsh (PROJECT 1 Cycling Team) collided, Webster veering across the road as a result, bringing several others down with him.
Perhaps spurred by this incident, the first breakaway formed just a lap later. Nine riders, including Oliver Peace (Development Team DSM Firmenich Post NL), Jake Scott, and Rob Scott (TEKKERZ CC), made a move off the front.
Similar to the women’s race, attacks were short-lived. After several failed attempts, Matt Bostock (Ribble Rebellion) launched a significant move with just over 30 minutes remaining. He was soon joined by Oliver Rees (Sabgal/Anicolor), Will Smith (TEKKERZ CC), and a Saint Piran rider. However, Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli, looming large in their flouro kit, quickly reeled them in.
2024 Lloyds Bank National Circuit Series – Otley Cycle Races – Santini Women’s Grand Prix and The Rayner Foundation Grand Prix. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Punch and counter-punch became the norm for a time, with Ben Wiggins (Hagens Berman Jayco CT) a notable attacker for a lap, but the last move of any note came with under 15 minutes to go. An opportunistic dart by a Wheelbase rider was quickly mirrored by Max Rushby (Ribble Rebellion), Dylan Westley (Saint Piran) and Cycling Sheffield’s Alexander Foster.
When Rushby’s teammate Jim Brown and Stolen Goat Race Team’s Thomas Heal joined with five laps to go, it appeared as though the winner would come from one of the six. But with legs starting to fade, and Alec Briggs (TEKKERZ CC) pulling a monster turn at the front of the chase, the break was neutralised and a sprint finish was becoming ever more likely.
The closing laps gave no indication of who would be walking away with the first win of the series, but as the peloton entered the final lap, Ribble Rebellion started to mass on the front perfectly positioning 2022 national circuit champion Matt Bostock.
2024 Lloyds Bank National Circuit Series – Otley Cycle Races – Santini Women’s Grand Prix and The Rayner Foundation Grand Prix – Winner Matt Bostock, Ribble Rebellion. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Down the long descent into the final corner, the team put Bostock in the ideal position to unleash his trademark sprint finish with enough momentum to ensure Rob Scott couldn’t sneak past on the run to the line. Adding to the success, Brown took the final spot on the podium.
“I felt good all race,” race winner Bostock told Monument TV after there race. “I spent a few pennies early doors and then I felt it wasn’t really going to be a breakaway today. So from there I sat back, the other boys did a great job following everything and I got to wait for the finish.”
Bostock now leads the individual standings in the National Circuit Series with Ribble Rebellion at the head of the team standings, 21 points in front of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli.
In accordance with the National Circuit series regulations relating to lapped riders failing to withdraw offending riders have been marked DSQ.
National Circuit Series standings
Women
2024 Lloyds Bank National Circuit Series – Otley Cycle Races – Santini Women’s Grand Prix and The Rayner Foundation Grand Prix. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.co
The 2024 Santini Women’s Otley Grand Prix, the opening round of the women’s National Circuit Series, delivered a thrilling finale with Frankie Hall (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) pipping Danni Watkinson (Jadan Vive le Velo) to take her first National Circuit Series win.
Former national circuit race champion Matt Bostock sprinted to victory in The Rayner Foundation Men’s Otley Grand Prix, finishing off a near-perfect night of teamwork by his Ribble Rebellion team.
Featured image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Report
Santini Women’s Otley Grand Prix
With a packed field, including the new national circuit race champion Emma Jeffers, and fine weather, conditions were perfect for the Santini Women’s Otley Grand Prix, round one of the National Circuit Series.
From the start, the pace was set high, Jennifer Powell of the Performance Development Team leading the pack at the end of the first lap. The early laps saw teams jockeying for position without committing to early attacks, the Tofauti Everyone Active and Spectra Racing riders maintaining a strong presence at the front.
With 50 minutes to go, the first significant attack was launched by 2023 national circuit race champion Megan Barker (TEKKERZ CC). DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK rider Frankie Hall joined her, but the effort was quickly neutralised by the junior Shibden Apex Race Team.
As the race progressed, attacks and counterattacks came in quick succession. Movistar-bound Cat Ferguson’s (Shibden Apex RT) aggressive move on the downhill section into the start-finish straight created a brief group of five that included Barker, last year’s victor Sophie Lewis (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK), and Jeffers.
As that bunch was re-absorbed, Lewis launched an opportunistic move to push clear, forming a temporary trio with Ferguson and her teammate Imogen Wolff. More riders started to add muscle, with Lewis’ teammate Lucy Lee and Pro-Noctis rider Amy Gornall bridging across, but with 20 minutes completed the pace in the break started to slow, allowing the peloton to regroup
Frankie Hall seized this moment, launching what started as a solo attack before being joined by Jadan Vive Le Velo’s Danielle Watkinson to help share the workload and stretch their advantage.
With 35 minutes left, Hall and Watkinson had built a substantial 15-second lead. Despite a valiant chase by the peloton, their gap continued to widen, reaching 18 seconds with 30 minutes remaining. Hall dominated the front, with Watkinson contributing sporadically, yet effectively.
As the laps dwindled, the duo’s lead seemed unassailable. Despite the peloton’s increased efforts, Hall and Watkinson’s coordination ensured their advantage grew to 24 seconds with just two laps to go.
In the final moments, Frankie Hall showcased her strength and determination, hitting the finishing straight first and securing her maiden National Circuit Series win, Watkinson close behind.
Ferguson demonstrated her sprinting prowess, comfortably winning the bunch sprint to claim the final podium spot, with her teammate Esther Wong fourth.
Hall is the first leader of the 2024 National Circuit Series, with her team DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK team leading the team standings, seven points ahead of Shibden Apex RT.
The Rayner Foundation Men’s Otley Grand Prix
The Rayner Foundation Otley Grand Prix was all about strength in numbers, with the biggest teams controlling the first few laps. Wheelbase CabTech Castelli and Ribble Rebellion kept a tight leash on proceedings.
Only one attack was allowed early on, as Jake Scott (REMBE Pro Cycling Team Sauerland) made a solo effort. However, without support, he was soon absorbed by the peloton.
The tightly packed peloton inevitably led to trouble. Just a few laps in, the first significant crash occurred when Matthew Webster (Loughborough Students CC) and Ben Marsh (PROJECT 1 Cycling Team) collided, Webster veering across the road as a result, bringing several others down with him.
Perhaps spurred by this incident, the first breakaway formed just a lap later. Nine riders, including Oliver Peace (Development Team DSM Firmenich Post NL), Jake Scott, and Rob Scott (TEKKERZ CC), made a move off the front.
Similar to the women’s race, attacks were short-lived. After several failed attempts, Matt Bostock (Ribble Rebellion) launched a significant move with just over 30 minutes remaining. He was soon joined by Oliver Rees (Sabgal/Anicolor), Will Smith (TEKKERZ CC), and a Saint Piran rider. However, Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli, looming large in their flouro kit, quickly reeled them in.
Punch and counter-punch became the norm for a time, with Ben Wiggins (Hagens Berman Jayco CT) a notable attacker for a lap, but the last move of any note came with under 15 minutes to go. An opportunistic dart by a Wheelbase rider was quickly mirrored by Max Rushby (Ribble Rebellion), Dylan Westley (Saint Piran) and Cycling Sheffield’s Alexander Foster.
When Rushby’s teammate Jim Brown and Stolen Goat Race Team’s Thomas Heal joined with five laps to go, it appeared as though the winner would come from one of the six. But with legs starting to fade, and Alec Briggs (TEKKERZ CC) pulling a monster turn at the front of the chase, the break was neutralised and a sprint finish was becoming ever more likely.
The closing laps gave no indication of who would be walking away with the first win of the series, but as the peloton entered the final lap, Ribble Rebellion started to mass on the front perfectly positioning 2022 national circuit champion Matt Bostock.
Down the long descent into the final corner, the team put Bostock in the ideal position to unleash his trademark sprint finish with enough momentum to ensure Rob Scott couldn’t sneak past on the run to the line. Adding to the success, Brown took the final spot on the podium.
“I felt good all race,” race winner Bostock told Monument TV after there race. “I spent a few pennies early doors and then I felt it wasn’t really going to be a breakaway today. So from there I sat back, the other boys did a great job following everything and I got to wait for the finish.”
Bostock now leads the individual standings in the National Circuit Series with Ribble Rebellion at the head of the team standings, 21 points in front of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli.
Results
Santini Women’s Otley Grand Prix
The Rayner Foundation Men’s Otley Grand Prix
failing to withdraw offending riders have been marked DSQ.
National Circuit Series standings
Women
Individual
Team
Open
Individual
Team
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