2024 Victor Berlemont Trophy: report and results

In an intense and wind-swept edition of the 2024 Victor Berlemont Trophy Rowan Baker of Saint Piran emerged victorious, outpacing a strong field to secure a well-deserved win. This National B event, known for offering challenges comparable to those of National A races, lived up to its reputation with a day of relentless attacks and a thrilling finale.

Report

The race began with an early breakaway sparked by two riders: Jordan Giles (Richardsons Trek DAS) and Deetray Jarrett. They were joined by three of the pre-race favourites, James McKay (Saint Piran), Ollie Hucks (TAAP Kalas) and Josh Housley (HUUB BCC RT), along with three other riders. The eight established a significant gap over the peloton, and were out front for almost 100 miles.

The breakaway’s advantage peaked at three minutes, but as the bell tolled, signalling one lap left to race, the group was caught by another small group, containing a number of other favourites, including McKay’s teammate Rowan Baker, setting the stage for a series of attacks in the final kilometres.

With McKay and Baker now together, the duo worked strategically, playing the one-two continuously: Baker going on the attack first, McKay then firing himself up the road, before Baker’s move over the top saw him break away with Housley.

The leading duo’s gap never got above 15 seconds as the kilometres ticked down; the race looked set for a grandstand showdown on the final climb to the finish line.

The chase was driven by the Cycling Sheffield pairing of David Hird and James Hartley, as well as Foran CC riders Dom Jackson and Danylo Riwnyj, as McKay took a free ride on the back of the dwindling bunch also containing Ollie Hucks (TAAP-Kalas) and veteran Chris McNamara (Sigma Sport).

As the race neared its conclusion, the final climb proved decisive. Jackson attacked, McKay responding immediately as they closed in on Baker and Housley.

With McKay and Baker reunited, they outmanoeuvred Housley, Baker timing his sprint perfectly to hold off the competition. McKay, closely following, managed to out-sprint the chasers to secure second place, ensuring a Saint Piran one-two. Housley rounded out the podium in third, with Hucks taking fourth.

Results

Full results to follow.

Pos	Bib	Rider	Age	Team	Pts
1	67	Rowan Baker	U23	Saint Piran	60
2	37	James McKay	Senior	Saint Piran	52
3	22	Josh Housley	Senior	HUUB BCC Race Team	45
4	25	Oliver Hucks	Senior	TAAP Kalas	40
5	21	David Hird	U23	Cycling Sheffield	35
6	28	Dom Jackson	Senior	Foran CT	31
7	50	Danylo Riwnyj	Senior	Foran CT	27
8	38	Chris McNamara	Senior	Sigma Sports Race Team	23
9	18	James Hartley	U23	Cycling Sheffield	20
11	23	Joe Howcroft	U23	XSpeedUnited	15
12	8	Clay Davies	Senior	Ride Revolution Coaching	13
13	7	Matt Clarke	Senior	Bridgnorth Cycling Club	11
14	64	Mohammad Ganjkhanlou	Senior	Reading CC	9
15	59	Sam Walsham	Senior	Beeston Cycling Club	7
16	68	Gabriel Dellar	Senior	StolenGoat Race Team	6
17	13	Jordan Giles	Senior	Richardsons Trek DAS	5
18	17	Jack Hartley	Senior	Cycling Sheffield	3
19	34	Adam Lewis	Senior	Team Skyline	2
20	69	Ryan Christensen	Senior	Foran CT	1
55	55	Nicholas Tyrie	Senior	Foran CT	0