As the dust settles on another National Road Championships, The British Continental takes a look over riders and teams who caught the eye in East Cleveland, for better or for worse.
Men’s races
A strong candidate for rider of the championships, despite not winning a jersey, Max Walker started 2024 at Saint Piran and may well end it with a WorldTour contract, after picking up medals in both the time trial and road race against stacked fields.
He’s the first rider on a UCI Continental team or below to take a medal in the road race since Alex Richardson in 2022, a result which surely won’t go unnoticed
The Astana Qazaqstan Development Team rider demonstrated his form over the 30km hilly time trial on Wednesday, his effort only bettered by European champion Josh Tarling. He displayed similar power combined with acute tactical nous during Sunday’s road race to firstly form part of the winning move, then attack late on, realising he would be unable to match Ethan Hayter in a sprint up Saltburn Bank. He’s the first rider on a UCI Continental team or below to take a medal in the road race since Alex Richardson in 2022, a result which surely won’t go unnoticed.
2024 Lloyds Bank National Road Championships – Men’s Road Race – Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, England – Max Walker of Astana Qazaqstan Development Team. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
With the weight of expectation always bearing down on them every time they race on UK soil, the Ineos Grenadiers delivered on their lofty expectations, winning both the time trial and road race for the first time since 2022 through Josh Tarling and Ethan Hayter. Tarling’s time trial victory was nothing less than expected, although credit to the young Welshman for delivering a good ride on a testing and technical course not suited to traditional time trialists. Prior to Wednesday’s 30km test there was talk of the WorldTour powerhouse taking all three spots on the podium, so there may have been a hint of disappointment in the Grenadiers’ camp at not being able to put another rider in the top three given their strength in depth.
However, the team showed its strength in depth on Sunday, delivering a tactical masterclass which Hayter was able to finish off in style on the slopes of Saltburn Bank. Their riders were constantly aggressive from the gun, careful to avoid the mistakes of last year as a sea of Ineos jerseys were visible at the head of the race at all times. As the final lap approached with Hayter in a group of three out front, and Connor Swift in a similar position a minute down, the duo took advantage of their positioning, each taking a free ride on the back of their respective groups, Swift attempting to bridge across as Hayter sat patiently in the wheels before unleashing his sprint up Saltburn Bank to claim his first road race title.
Only a few years ago it would have been unthinkable that Groupama-FDJ, the passionate embodiment of a French team, could be a major player in the British championships
Only a few years ago it would have been unthinkable that Groupama-FDJ, the passionate embodiment of a French team, could be a major player in the British championships. However, their podium lockout in the circuit race was no less than they deserved after a tactical masterclass delivered Cannock’s Lewis Askey to the win after his brutal solo attack was set up by Sam Watson, with sprinters Matt Walls and Noah Hobbs finishing the job and rounding out the podium. Askey was in the thick of the action again on Sunday, his teammates Walls and Watson instrumental in ensuring one of their number made the winning break. With a team car present throughout Sunday’s race, their performance was testament not only to the changing face of the team, but the influence British riders are having in it, from the Continental development team to the WorldTour.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com – 21/06/2024 – British Cycling – 2024 Lloyds Bank National Road Championships – Circuit Race: Open – Darlington, County Durham, England – Lewis Askey of GROUPAMA – FDJ wins the Open National Circuit title
Dom Jackson (Foran CT) has had a rapid rise to the top of the domestic scene having only been racing for three years. The former rower backed up his Rás Tailteann win with an impressive 13th place, the first rider across the line not on a WorldTour or UCI registered development team.
Tom Martin (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) is surely knocking on the door of an opportunity with a UCI team, the serial National B winner aggressive from the off in the road race, finding himself in numerous moves at the head of the race in esteemed company. Meanwhile his teammate Tim Shoreman was the first non Groupama-FDJ rider past the post in the circuit race, the fast finisher backing up his bronze medal from last year’s race against WorldTour opposition as he continues on a path towards being one of the best riders in the UK.
U23 road race champion Bob Donaldson (Trinity Racing) admitted he didn’t expect to take the title, finishing in 6th place overall. A fast finisher, Donaldson climbed well and made a number of decisive moves over the 180km race, eventually suffering at the hands of the Ineos Grenadiers’ strength in depth. Caught between a rock and a hard place with Joe Blackmore in the second group late on, the pair were forced to carry Connor Swift, who was taking a free ride with Ethan Hayter ahead.
Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com – 23/06/2024 – British Cycling – 2024 Lloyds Bank National Road Championships – Men’s Road Race – Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, England – Bob Donaldson of Trinity Racing
Matty Brennan continued his outstanding first season as an U23; the Visma-Lease A Bike Development Team youngster could have easily been mistaken as a WorldTour rider in the team’s iconic yellow kit during Sunday’s Road Race. Following the early moves by riders from the WorldTour teams, Brennan, who has won three UCI races already this season, finished in 11th ahead of numerous riders his senior.
Saint Piran, who dominated the domestic scene last year, were notable only by their absence; their impact on the championships minimal despite entering a large number of riders
Saint Piran, who dominated the domestic scene last year, were notable only by their absence; their impact on the championships minimal despite entering a large number of riders. The hilly nature of time trial course didn’t suit Charlie Tanfield, who understandably failed to break into the top ten, although they were largely passive during the circuit race when they had the numbers to challenge Groupama-FDJ. Talisman Alex Richardson climbed off early in the road race, a disappointing end to a brilliant career, with James McKay their best finisher in 19th behind Cycling Sheffield’s James Hartley.
2024 Lloyds Bank National Road Championships – Circuit Race: Open – Darlington, County Durham, England – Matthew Bostock of Ribble Rebellion. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Ribble Rebellion set out to disrupt the global criterium scene, but left little mark on Friday’s race, a frustrated Matt Bostock one of the lasting images of the night. Jim Brown sprinted to 5th, although it was little consolation as French invaders Groupama-FDJ were the only disruptors, conquering the British criterium scene in one decisive battle. Ribble will be motivated to rectify things in the National Circuit Series.
Women’s races
Anna Henderson (Visma-Lease A Bike) made a strong case for rider of the championships, coming away with the jersey in Wednesday’s time trial and backing it up with a silver medal in the road race, a fine comeback after suffering from two broken collarbone setbacks earlier this year. Strong favourite for the time trial like fellow champion Tarling, Henderson delivered on a challenging course which had the potential to throw up surprises.
2024 Lloyds Bank National Road Championships – Women’s Road Race – Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, England – Anna Henderson of TEAM VISMA – LEASE A BIKE climbs the Saltburn Bank. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Pfeiffer Georgi (Team DSM-firmenich PostNL) took her third Road Race title at the age of only 23, a staggering achievement against quality opposition. The Londoner is developing into one of the best single day riders in the world, a podium in Paris-Roubaix Femmes perhaps only the start as she enters her prime years, looking to emulate fellow multiple champions, and legends of the sport Beryl Burton and Nicole Cooke. The race also symbolised a passing of the baton from Lizzie Deignan (Lidl-Trek) to Georgi as the dominant force in British cycling, the former world champion unable to match her younger rival on Saltburn Bank.
The Londoner is developing into one of the best single day riders in the world, a podium in Paris-Roubaix Femmes perhaps only the start as she enters her prime years
U23 Time Trial Champion Josie Nelson delivered a similarly assured performance over the 30km test, taking close to a staggering two minutes out of second place Maddie Leech. The young DSM-firmenich PostNL rider backed up her performance with a strong 7th place in the road race, assisting teammate Georgi perfectly in the process, just missing out on another medal.
Turning attention to Friday evening’s circuit race, Emma Jeffers ran with the mantle of favourite and delivered in style, her trademark sprint bringing home the title. The 19-year-old rode a tactically astute race beyond her years throughout, attacking early then sitting just behind the head of the peloton once reeled in, waiting for the sprint to the line.
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
Shibden Apex RT have forged a reputation as the leading junior team in the world in the past eighteen months, home to Movistar-bound Cat Ferguson and the highly rated Imogen Wolff. Even without these two riders and the likes of Lucy Glover missing, they placed Alice Colling, Arabella Blackburn and Esther Wong inside the circuit race top ten, testament to their strength in depth and ability to develop talent, placing them among Britain’s best teams, regardless of age.
Sophie Lewis (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) made an early move with Jeffers and then went again on a solo mission, only to be thwarted when multiple teams and riders committed on the front of the bunch, sensing the danger. Riding on the front of bunch in support of her teammates during the early laps of the road race, the track rider will be hoping to be selected for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games, her performances this week doing her credentials no harm.
2024 Lloyds Bank National Road Championships – Women’s Road Race – Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, England – Frankie Hall of DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Lewis’ teammate Frankie Hall has never struggled with power and used that to great effect during the circuit race, thinning down the group before she found herself tangled in a crash. Hall was the first rider from outside a WorldTeam to finish Sunday’s road race in 10th place, making various selections as she entered Saltburn Bank for the final time still in contention in an elite leading group.
One rider who was unfortunate to not be ahead of the leading group was Sophie Wright (Fenix-Deceuninck), who attacked on the final lap and built a substantial lead, only to have a rear puncture destroy her chances in the final kilometres. An 11th place on the results sheet does not do her ride justice, and with better luck she could have stood on the top step of the podium.
Lizi Brooke (Pro-Noctis-200 Degrees Coffee-Hargreaves Contracting) first came to prominence to many people during last year’s championships, her impressive climbing guiding her to a 14th place finish among the WorldTeam riders. This year the former triathlete attacked early, forming a solid breakaway with Sian Botteley and Miriam Jessett, taking almost four minutes on the bunch at its peak. With the peloton chasing hard, Brooke was the final rider to be caught, another eye catching performance.
2024 Lloyds Bank National Road Championships – Women’s Road Race – Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, England – Lizi Brooke of Pro-Noctis – 200º Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Flora Perkins kicked off the week with a bronze medal from the U23 time trial, but she shone in the road race, following the wheels of the best up Saltburn Bank to take 4th, and crucially the U23 championship. At only 20 the Fenix-Deceuninck rider looks to have a long career ahead of her.
Peanut butter-loving Claire Steels impressed throughout the week, seemingly recovered from her early season injuries, pushing Anna Henderson close in the time trial to take a silver medal. The Movistar rider was a constant presence in the road race, instrumental in chasing the break and splitting the race up in the later laps as the leading group was gradually whittled down.
As the dust settles on another National Road Championships, The British Continental takes a look over riders and teams who caught the eye in East Cleveland, for better or for worse.
Men’s races
A strong candidate for rider of the championships, despite not winning a jersey, Max Walker started 2024 at Saint Piran and may well end it with a WorldTour contract, after picking up medals in both the time trial and road race against stacked fields.
The Astana Qazaqstan Development Team rider demonstrated his form over the 30km hilly time trial on Wednesday, his effort only bettered by European champion Josh Tarling. He displayed similar power combined with acute tactical nous during Sunday’s road race to firstly form part of the winning move, then attack late on, realising he would be unable to match Ethan Hayter in a sprint up Saltburn Bank. He’s the first rider on a UCI Continental team or below to take a medal in the road race since Alex Richardson in 2022, a result which surely won’t go unnoticed.
With the weight of expectation always bearing down on them every time they race on UK soil, the Ineos Grenadiers delivered on their lofty expectations, winning both the time trial and road race for the first time since 2022 through Josh Tarling and Ethan Hayter. Tarling’s time trial victory was nothing less than expected, although credit to the young Welshman for delivering a good ride on a testing and technical course not suited to traditional time trialists. Prior to Wednesday’s 30km test there was talk of the WorldTour powerhouse taking all three spots on the podium, so there may have been a hint of disappointment in the Grenadiers’ camp at not being able to put another rider in the top three given their strength in depth.
However, the team showed its strength in depth on Sunday, delivering a tactical masterclass which Hayter was able to finish off in style on the slopes of Saltburn Bank. Their riders were constantly aggressive from the gun, careful to avoid the mistakes of last year as a sea of Ineos jerseys were visible at the head of the race at all times. As the final lap approached with Hayter in a group of three out front, and Connor Swift in a similar position a minute down, the duo took advantage of their positioning, each taking a free ride on the back of their respective groups, Swift attempting to bridge across as Hayter sat patiently in the wheels before unleashing his sprint up Saltburn Bank to claim his first road race title.
Only a few years ago it would have been unthinkable that Groupama-FDJ, the passionate embodiment of a French team, could be a major player in the British championships. However, their podium lockout in the circuit race was no less than they deserved after a tactical masterclass delivered Cannock’s Lewis Askey to the win after his brutal solo attack was set up by Sam Watson, with sprinters Matt Walls and Noah Hobbs finishing the job and rounding out the podium. Askey was in the thick of the action again on Sunday, his teammates Walls and Watson instrumental in ensuring one of their number made the winning break. With a team car present throughout Sunday’s race, their performance was testament not only to the changing face of the team, but the influence British riders are having in it, from the Continental development team to the WorldTour.
Dom Jackson (Foran CT) has had a rapid rise to the top of the domestic scene having only been racing for three years. The former rower backed up his Rás Tailteann win with an impressive 13th place, the first rider across the line not on a WorldTour or UCI registered development team.
Tom Martin (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) is surely knocking on the door of an opportunity with a UCI team, the serial National B winner aggressive from the off in the road race, finding himself in numerous moves at the head of the race in esteemed company. Meanwhile his teammate Tim Shoreman was the first non Groupama-FDJ rider past the post in the circuit race, the fast finisher backing up his bronze medal from last year’s race against WorldTour opposition as he continues on a path towards being one of the best riders in the UK.
U23 road race champion Bob Donaldson (Trinity Racing) admitted he didn’t expect to take the title, finishing in 6th place overall. A fast finisher, Donaldson climbed well and made a number of decisive moves over the 180km race, eventually suffering at the hands of the Ineos Grenadiers’ strength in depth. Caught between a rock and a hard place with Joe Blackmore in the second group late on, the pair were forced to carry Connor Swift, who was taking a free ride with Ethan Hayter ahead.
Matty Brennan continued his outstanding first season as an U23; the Visma-Lease A Bike Development Team youngster could have easily been mistaken as a WorldTour rider in the team’s iconic yellow kit during Sunday’s Road Race. Following the early moves by riders from the WorldTour teams, Brennan, who has won three UCI races already this season, finished in 11th ahead of numerous riders his senior.
Saint Piran, who dominated the domestic scene last year, were notable only by their absence; their impact on the championships minimal despite entering a large number of riders. The hilly nature of time trial course didn’t suit Charlie Tanfield, who understandably failed to break into the top ten, although they were largely passive during the circuit race when they had the numbers to challenge Groupama-FDJ. Talisman Alex Richardson climbed off early in the road race, a disappointing end to a brilliant career, with James McKay their best finisher in 19th behind Cycling Sheffield’s James Hartley.
Ribble Rebellion set out to disrupt the global criterium scene, but left little mark on Friday’s race, a frustrated Matt Bostock one of the lasting images of the night. Jim Brown sprinted to 5th, although it was little consolation as French invaders Groupama-FDJ were the only disruptors, conquering the British criterium scene in one decisive battle. Ribble will be motivated to rectify things in the National Circuit Series.
Women’s races
Anna Henderson (Visma-Lease A Bike) made a strong case for rider of the championships, coming away with the jersey in Wednesday’s time trial and backing it up with a silver medal in the road race, a fine comeback after suffering from two broken collarbone setbacks earlier this year. Strong favourite for the time trial like fellow champion Tarling, Henderson delivered on a challenging course which had the potential to throw up surprises.
Pfeiffer Georgi (Team DSM-firmenich PostNL) took her third Road Race title at the age of only 23, a staggering achievement against quality opposition. The Londoner is developing into one of the best single day riders in the world, a podium in Paris-Roubaix Femmes perhaps only the start as she enters her prime years, looking to emulate fellow multiple champions, and legends of the sport Beryl Burton and Nicole Cooke. The race also symbolised a passing of the baton from Lizzie Deignan (Lidl-Trek) to Georgi as the dominant force in British cycling, the former world champion unable to match her younger rival on Saltburn Bank.
U23 Time Trial Champion Josie Nelson delivered a similarly assured performance over the 30km test, taking close to a staggering two minutes out of second place Maddie Leech. The young DSM-firmenich PostNL rider backed up her performance with a strong 7th place in the road race, assisting teammate Georgi perfectly in the process, just missing out on another medal.
Turning attention to Friday evening’s circuit race, Emma Jeffers ran with the mantle of favourite and delivered in style, her trademark sprint bringing home the title. The 19-year-old rode a tactically astute race beyond her years throughout, attacking early then sitting just behind the head of the peloton once reeled in, waiting for the sprint to the line.
Shibden Apex RT have forged a reputation as the leading junior team in the world in the past eighteen months, home to Movistar-bound Cat Ferguson and the highly rated Imogen Wolff. Even without these two riders and the likes of Lucy Glover missing, they placed Alice Colling, Arabella Blackburn and Esther Wong inside the circuit race top ten, testament to their strength in depth and ability to develop talent, placing them among Britain’s best teams, regardless of age.
Sophie Lewis (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) made an early move with Jeffers and then went again on a solo mission, only to be thwarted when multiple teams and riders committed on the front of the bunch, sensing the danger. Riding on the front of bunch in support of her teammates during the early laps of the road race, the track rider will be hoping to be selected for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games, her performances this week doing her credentials no harm.
Lewis’ teammate Frankie Hall has never struggled with power and used that to great effect during the circuit race, thinning down the group before she found herself tangled in a crash. Hall was the first rider from outside a WorldTeam to finish Sunday’s road race in 10th place, making various selections as she entered Saltburn Bank for the final time still in contention in an elite leading group.
One rider who was unfortunate to not be ahead of the leading group was Sophie Wright (Fenix-Deceuninck), who attacked on the final lap and built a substantial lead, only to have a rear puncture destroy her chances in the final kilometres. An 11th place on the results sheet does not do her ride justice, and with better luck she could have stood on the top step of the podium.
Lizi Brooke (Pro-Noctis-200 Degrees Coffee-Hargreaves Contracting) first came to prominence to many people during last year’s championships, her impressive climbing guiding her to a 14th place finish among the WorldTeam riders. This year the former triathlete attacked early, forming a solid breakaway with Sian Botteley and Miriam Jessett, taking almost four minutes on the bunch at its peak. With the peloton chasing hard, Brooke was the final rider to be caught, another eye catching performance.
Flora Perkins kicked off the week with a bronze medal from the U23 time trial, but she shone in the road race, following the wheels of the best up Saltburn Bank to take 4th, and crucially the U23 championship. At only 20 the Fenix-Deceuninck rider looks to have a long career ahead of her.
Peanut butter-loving Claire Steels impressed throughout the week, seemingly recovered from her early season injuries, pushing Anna Henderson close in the time trial to take a silver medal. The Movistar rider was a constant presence in the road race, instrumental in chasing the break and splitting the race up in the later laps as the leading group was gradually whittled down.
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