18-year-old Mari Porton (Tofauti Everyone Active) took a sprint win at the Solihull CC road race, Round 5 of the British Team Cup, ahead of last year’s victor Georgia Lancaster (Loughborough Lightning).
The 2024 Solihull CC Road Race, round 5 of the British Team Cup series, saw an intense battle on the undulating 22.4km circuit around Inkberrow. With the Phoenix Collective, DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK and London Academy squads all looking to challenge the series leaders, the FTP – Fulfil-the-Potential – Racing team, the stakes were high as 73 riders took to the course under ideal conditions: sunny skies and a warm 20 degrees.
From the outset, the peloton maintained cohesion through the first lap, navigating the smooth, well-maintained tarmac. The second lap brought the first significant move as Charlotte Berry (The Phoenix Collective) and Charlotte Deykin (Peterborough Cycle Hub) broke away, establishing a 40-second gap. However, a mechanical issue for Berry forced her to stop for repairs, leading to the peloton reeling in both riders by lap three.
Berry’s valiant effort to rejoin the pack earned her the London Academy Combativity Award, a recognition of her determination despite the setback. Meanwhile, the humid conditions began to thin the peloton, reducing the group to 60 riders as the race progressed.
Sav Morgan (London Academy) attempts a late move. Image: Mark James
The final lap was marked by the expectation of a sprint finish, despite several attempts to break away. The riders who managed to stay in contention were whittled down to around 50, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion.
In the finale, a fiercely contested sprint finish saw junior Mari Porton of Tofauti Everyone Active emerge victorious over last year’s victor Georgia Lancaster (Loughborough Lightning), with Brother UK – OnForm rider Ellen Bennett in third.
“I am really pleased to take the win in the sprint to get my first Nat B win, especially on roads so close to home, Porton explained to The British Continental after the race. “There were quite a few attacks right from the start of the race, but the nature of the course made it really difficult to get out of sight and each one was brought back to the bunch. I also tried to break away with my teammate but we were chased down as well. By the final lap it looked clear that the race would finish in a bunch sprint.”
Porton springs to victory ahead of Lancaster. Image: Mark James
Second-placed Lancaster was pleased with her result despite the pressure to repeat her 2023 win. “Today was about having fun racing my bike,” she told The British Continental. “With not quite finding my form yet this season, I just wanted to enjoy the race but felt some pressure to try to get the win again. Towards the end of the race, it was clear it was going to be a bunch sprint. Mari came past with some speed on me, and I knew then I didn’t have the win but could hold onto second. Full respect to Mari for taking the win.”
Updated British Team Cup standings to be added once available.
18-year-old Mari Porton (Tofauti Everyone Active) took a sprint win at the Solihull CC road race, Round 5 of the British Team Cup, ahead of last year’s victor Georgia Lancaster (Loughborough Lightning).
Featured image: Mark James
Report
The 2024 Solihull CC Road Race, round 5 of the British Team Cup series, saw an intense battle on the undulating 22.4km circuit around Inkberrow. With the Phoenix Collective, DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK and London Academy squads all looking to challenge the series leaders, the FTP – Fulfil-the-Potential – Racing team, the stakes were high as 73 riders took to the course under ideal conditions: sunny skies and a warm 20 degrees.
From the outset, the peloton maintained cohesion through the first lap, navigating the smooth, well-maintained tarmac. The second lap brought the first significant move as Charlotte Berry (The Phoenix Collective) and Charlotte Deykin (Peterborough Cycle Hub) broke away, establishing a 40-second gap. However, a mechanical issue for Berry forced her to stop for repairs, leading to the peloton reeling in both riders by lap three.
Berry’s valiant effort to rejoin the pack earned her the London Academy Combativity Award, a recognition of her determination despite the setback. Meanwhile, the humid conditions began to thin the peloton, reducing the group to 60 riders as the race progressed.
The final lap was marked by the expectation of a sprint finish, despite several attempts to break away. The riders who managed to stay in contention were whittled down to around 50, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion.
In the finale, a fiercely contested sprint finish saw junior Mari Porton of Tofauti Everyone Active emerge victorious over last year’s victor Georgia Lancaster (Loughborough Lightning), with Brother UK – OnForm rider Ellen Bennett in third.
“I am really pleased to take the win in the sprint to get my first Nat B win, especially on roads so close to home, Porton explained to The British Continental after the race. “There were quite a few attacks right from the start of the race, but the nature of the course made it really difficult to get out of sight and each one was brought back to the bunch. I also tried to break away with my teammate but we were chased down as well. By the final lap it looked clear that the race would finish in a bunch sprint.”
Second-placed Lancaster was pleased with her result despite the pressure to repeat her 2023 win. “Today was about having fun racing my bike,” she told The British Continental. “With not quite finding my form yet this season, I just wanted to enjoy the race but felt some pressure to try to get the win again. Towards the end of the race, it was clear it was going to be a bunch sprint. Mari came past with some speed on me, and I knew then I didn’t have the win but could hold onto second. Full respect to Mari for taking the win.”
Updated British Team Cup standings to be added once available.
View Mark James’ race gallery here.
Results
Share this:
Discover more from The British Continental
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.