Frank Longstaff (Schils-Doltcini Racing Team) swept the board on day one of the Sherpa Performance Stage Race, sprinting to the win on stages 1 and 2 at the Colchester Northern Gateway Sports Park to take the overnight lead in the general classification.
Report
Stage 1
The first stage of the Sherpa Performance Stage Race took place at the Colchester Northern Gateway Sports Park. Competitors faced a flat, fast-paced 60-minute criterium on the 1.6km purpose-built cycle track, ridden anticlockwise. The stage delivered an aggressive, tactical race.
From the start, the pace was relentless as riders vied for position and attempted to break away from the pack. However, no move was able to gain a substantial lead, leading to a tight and strategic race. The flat course ensured high speeds and constant jockeying for position.
The stage culminated in a sprint finish with Frank Longstaff of the Schils – Doltcini Racing Team emerging as the victor in a closely contested finale. Hot on his wheels was Callum Laborde (Wheelbase CabTech Castell), earning second place. Jake Hales (Ride Revolution Coaching) rounded out the podium.
With the majority of the field finishing together, with 40 riders finishing on the same time as Longstaff.
Reflecting on his win, Longstaff said, “The first race today was fairly aggressive but no moves were able to gain any kind of substance. So with the following stages in mind and seeing all the stronger riders marking each other, I decided to sit tight and just follow moves, eventually positioning myself well on the last lap and taking up the sprint early to stay out of trouble – thankfully taking the win.”
Stage 2
Stage 2 took place on the same 1.6km circuit as Stage 1, but this time, the riders faced the challenge in a clockwise direction.
The first half of the race saw numerous attacks and counter-attacks, with riders attempting to break away and create decisive gaps. Race leader Longstaff was active in chasing down any potential threats, ensuring he stayed in contention. As the race progressed, the intensity took its toll on the peloton, and the pace settled, leading to another tightly contested sprint finish.
In the final dash to the line, Longstaff’s early sprint out of the last sweeping corner proved decisive. He managed to hold off his competitors to claim victory once more. Hales bettered his stage 1 result to finish second, while Laborde secured third.
“Stage 2 was a much more aggressive first half, and I burnt a few matches to bridge across to any dangerous moves,” Longstaff told The British Continental after the race. “Eventually, the pace simmered down as the fatigue set in for everyone, leading to another bunch sprint. I took up the sprint heading into the last sweeping corner and just about held on for another win.”
Looking ahead to day two, the final two stages of the race promise to be crucial in determining the overall winner. Stage 3 is an 8km road bike time trial, which will test the riders’ individual strength and time-trialling capabilities. The final stage, Stage 4, is a 93km road race on the challenging course used for the Jock Wadley Memorial road race, which will demand both endurance and tactical savvy.
On his chances of defending the race lead in the upcoming stages, Longstaff commented, “Being a track specialist, these two stages suited me the most, so maintaining my lead in the time trial and road race will be a big ask for me, but I’ll certainly be emptying the tank tomorrow! However, with the TT being just 8km and pan flat, it gives me a better chance.”
Frank Longstaff (Schils-Doltcini Racing Team) swept the board on day one of the Sherpa Performance Stage Race, sprinting to the win on stages 1 and 2 at the Colchester Northern Gateway Sports Park to take the overnight lead in the general classification.
Report
Stage 1
The first stage of the Sherpa Performance Stage Race took place at the Colchester Northern Gateway Sports Park. Competitors faced a flat, fast-paced 60-minute criterium on the 1.6km purpose-built cycle track, ridden anticlockwise. The stage delivered an aggressive, tactical race.
From the start, the pace was relentless as riders vied for position and attempted to break away from the pack. However, no move was able to gain a substantial lead, leading to a tight and strategic race. The flat course ensured high speeds and constant jockeying for position.
The stage culminated in a sprint finish with Frank Longstaff of the Schils – Doltcini Racing Team emerging as the victor in a closely contested finale. Hot on his wheels was Callum Laborde (Wheelbase CabTech Castell), earning second place. Jake Hales (Ride Revolution Coaching) rounded out the podium.
With the majority of the field finishing together, with 40 riders finishing on the same time as Longstaff.
Reflecting on his win, Longstaff said, “The first race today was fairly aggressive but no moves were able to gain any kind of substance. So with the following stages in mind and seeing all the stronger riders marking each other, I decided to sit tight and just follow moves, eventually positioning myself well on the last lap and taking up the sprint early to stay out of trouble – thankfully taking the win.”
Stage 2
Stage 2 took place on the same 1.6km circuit as Stage 1, but this time, the riders faced the challenge in a clockwise direction.
The first half of the race saw numerous attacks and counter-attacks, with riders attempting to break away and create decisive gaps. Race leader Longstaff was active in chasing down any potential threats, ensuring he stayed in contention. As the race progressed, the intensity took its toll on the peloton, and the pace settled, leading to another tightly contested sprint finish.
In the final dash to the line, Longstaff’s early sprint out of the last sweeping corner proved decisive. He managed to hold off his competitors to claim victory once more. Hales bettered his stage 1 result to finish second, while Laborde secured third.
“Stage 2 was a much more aggressive first half, and I burnt a few matches to bridge across to any dangerous moves,” Longstaff told The British Continental after the race. “Eventually, the pace simmered down as the fatigue set in for everyone, leading to another bunch sprint. I took up the sprint heading into the last sweeping corner and just about held on for another win.”
Looking ahead to day two, the final two stages of the race promise to be crucial in determining the overall winner. Stage 3 is an 8km road bike time trial, which will test the riders’ individual strength and time-trialling capabilities. The final stage, Stage 4, is a 93km road race on the challenging course used for the Jock Wadley Memorial road race, which will demand both endurance and tactical savvy.
On his chances of defending the race lead in the upcoming stages, Longstaff commented, “Being a track specialist, these two stages suited me the most, so maintaining my lead in the time trial and road race will be a big ask for me, but I’ll certainly be emptying the tank tomorrow! However, with the TT being just 8km and pan flat, it gives me a better chance.”
Results
Stage 1
Stage 2
General classification
Points classification
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