The British Continental National Road Race Rankings provide a unique lens into the season’s top domestic road racing performances, capturing results exclusively from National A and National B road races in the UK. With a focus solely on these national-level road races races, circuit races, and points from regional or UCI events are deliberately excluded. This approach maintains a narrow focus, allowing fans and followers to get a clear view of who truly stood out in the UK’s road racing scene without the influence of other race types.
Our aim isn’t to create an entirely objective ranking of every rider’s abilities or even a perfect measurement of their road racing prowess. We recognise that no ranking system can capture the full spectrum of performance nuances. Instead, our hope is that these rankings inject some excitement and healthy competition into the national-level road racing community, especially at the National B level, where emerging talents often make their mark. By shining a light on this segment, we’re encouraging fans to stay engaged with riders across the board, from seasoned competitors to the breakthrough stars of tomorrow.
Let’s start with the top riders in the Individual Open Rankings and take a closer look at the key moments that shaped their seasons.
Damien Clayton pursued by Josh Housley. Image: Ellen Isherwood
Clayton’s steady accumulation of points through podium finishes and top tens secured him the top spot. His highlights included a first-place finish at the Danum Trophy and victories at the Oakenclough Road Race and The Peaks 2 Day Stage 1, demonstrating his versatility across courses and stages. His runner-up finish in The Upton 200 Road Race further boosted his standing with 52 points. His season was marked by strong series of performances in the National Road Series too, including 5th at the East Cleveland Classic and a top ten at the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix.
Baker, the top U23 rider, finished just eight points behind Clayton despite a busy UCI calendar. He had a season full of success at home, clinching the U23 Open National Road Series title alongside strong showings in the senior ranks. His win at the East Cleveland Classic was a breakthrough moment for Baker. Baker’s podium finish at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix, where he took 3rd (75 points), further demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure against seasoned competitors. With consistent top finishes, including 2nd overall in the 360 Tour of the Northwest and victories at the RCR Fatcreations Road Race and the Victor Berlemont Trophy, Baker has quickly become a force in domestic road racing.
Josh Housley secured 456 points this season with a blend of podium placements and persistence in what was a breakthrough season featuring significant results, including a win at the London Dynamo Summer Road Race and podiums in events like the Victor Berlemont Trophy and East Midlands Championships. This strong season has earned him a transfer to Primera-TeamJobs for 2025, where he’ll have greater team support to build on his successes.
With 453 points, Clay Davies finished fourth, thanks to a series of impressive results in the latter part of the season. His season was highlighted by wins at the CC Hackney Road Race and the Open Nat B incorporating West Midlands and Central Regional Championships. His second place at the Jef Schils Memorial and his consistent podiums in National B events emphasised his fearsome consistency on flatter parcours.
Under 23 David Hird claimed the 5th spot with 411 points, highlighting the depth of young talent rising through the ranks. His season was marked by 3rd place at the Jef Schils Memorial and a top ten finish at the prestigious Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix, where he finished 6th, adding 51 valuable points. Hird also finished in the top five at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix, securing his status as a rider with considerable potential on the British racing scene. Next season, he’ll take on European competition with ESEG Douai in France, offering him new challenges in a competitive international environment.
Round-Up of the Rest of the Top Ten
Oliver Hucks (TAAP Kalas) – 392 Points Hucks showed tenacity throughout the season with solid performances, including 2nd at the PNE National B Road Race, a 4th place finish at the Victor Berlemont Trophy and 13th at the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix.
Alex Luhrs (Independent/Moonglu Race Team) – 374 Points Luhrs’ season included wins in two rounds of the Scottish Alba Road Series: the Drummond Trophy and the Hugh Dornan Memorial. He also secured commendable 2nd places at both the GA Bennett Road Race and Straiton Struggle. His points tally is all the more impressive given he only raced from February to June.
James McKay (Saint Piran) – 357 Points McKay’s 2nd place at the Lancaster Grand Prix (85 points) stands out as one of his top achievements this season, and he earned further points with a 3rd place finish at the East Cleveland Classic. 2nd at the Victor Berlemont Trophy and a strong showing at the Tour of Britain rounded out a solid season.
Tom Williams (Thriva-SRCT/Saint Piran) – 317 Points Williams achieved a breakthrough with his win at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix (Nat A), a result that earned him a contract with Saint Piran. Williams also racked up wins at the Yorkshire Under-23 Classic and two stages of the Clive Tiley Memorial stage race, marking his arrival as a serious competitor in the British circuit.
Dylan Westley (USKIS Saint Piran/Saint Piran) – 296 Points Westley started the season with USKIS Saint Piran before joining Saint Piran’s UCI team. Westley displayed consistency, achieving solid end of season performances in the National Road Series with 4th at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix and 6th place at the Beaumont Trophy.
This post is the first in a series reviewing results from The British Continental National Road Race Rankings, highlighting standout performances and the riders who made 2024 a memorable season.
The British Continental National Road Race Rankings provide a unique lens into the season’s top domestic road racing performances, capturing results exclusively from National A and National B road races in the UK. With a focus solely on these national-level road races races, circuit races, and points from regional or UCI events are deliberately excluded. This approach maintains a narrow focus, allowing fans and followers to get a clear view of who truly stood out in the UK’s road racing scene without the influence of other race types.
Our aim isn’t to create an entirely objective ranking of every rider’s abilities or even a perfect measurement of their road racing prowess. We recognise that no ranking system can capture the full spectrum of performance nuances. Instead, our hope is that these rankings inject some excitement and healthy competition into the national-level road racing community, especially at the National B level, where emerging talents often make their mark. By shining a light on this segment, we’re encouraging fans to stay engaged with riders across the board, from seasoned competitors to the breakthrough stars of tomorrow.
Let’s start with the top riders in the Individual Open Rankings and take a closer look at the key moments that shaped their seasons.
1. Damien Clayton (Le Col Race Team) – 563 Points
Clayton’s steady accumulation of points through podium finishes and top tens secured him the top spot. His highlights included a first-place finish at the Danum Trophy and victories at the Oakenclough Road Race and The Peaks 2 Day Stage 1, demonstrating his versatility across courses and stages. His runner-up finish in The Upton 200 Road Race further boosted his standing with 52 points. His season was marked by strong series of performances in the National Road Series too, including 5th at the East Cleveland Classic and a top ten at the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix.
2. Rowan Baker (Saint Piran) – 555 Points
Baker, the top U23 rider, finished just eight points behind Clayton despite a busy UCI calendar. He had a season full of success at home, clinching the U23 Open National Road Series title alongside strong showings in the senior ranks. His win at the East Cleveland Classic was a breakthrough moment for Baker. Baker’s podium finish at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix, where he took 3rd (75 points), further demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure against seasoned competitors. With consistent top finishes, including 2nd overall in the 360 Tour of the Northwest and victories at the RCR Fatcreations Road Race and the Victor Berlemont Trophy, Baker has quickly become a force in domestic road racing.
3. Josh Housley (HUUB BCC Race Team) – 456 Points
Josh Housley secured 456 points this season with a blend of podium placements and persistence in what was a breakthrough season featuring significant results, including a win at the London Dynamo Summer Road Race and podiums in events like the Victor Berlemont Trophy and East Midlands Championships. This strong season has earned him a transfer to Primera-TeamJobs for 2025, where he’ll have greater team support to build on his successes.
4. Clay Davies (Ride Revolution Coaching) – 453 Points
With 453 points, Clay Davies finished fourth, thanks to a series of impressive results in the latter part of the season. His season was highlighted by wins at the CC Hackney Road Race and the Open Nat B incorporating West Midlands and Central Regional Championships. His second place at the Jef Schils Memorial and his consistent podiums in National B events emphasised his fearsome consistency on flatter parcours.
5. David Hird (Cycling Sheffield) – 411 Points
Under 23 David Hird claimed the 5th spot with 411 points, highlighting the depth of young talent rising through the ranks. His season was marked by 3rd place at the Jef Schils Memorial and a top ten finish at the prestigious Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix, where he finished 6th, adding 51 valuable points. Hird also finished in the top five at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix, securing his status as a rider with considerable potential on the British racing scene. Next season, he’ll take on European competition with ESEG Douai in France, offering him new challenges in a competitive international environment.
Round-Up of the Rest of the Top Ten
Hucks showed tenacity throughout the season with solid performances, including 2nd at the PNE National B Road Race, a 4th place finish at the Victor Berlemont Trophy and 13th at the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix.
Luhrs’ season included wins in two rounds of the Scottish Alba Road Series: the Drummond Trophy and the Hugh Dornan Memorial. He also secured commendable 2nd places at both the GA Bennett Road Race and Straiton Struggle. His points tally is all the more impressive given he only raced from February to June.
McKay’s 2nd place at the Lancaster Grand Prix (85 points) stands out as one of his top achievements this season, and he earned further points with a 3rd place finish at the East Cleveland Classic. 2nd at the Victor Berlemont Trophy and a strong showing at the Tour of Britain rounded out a solid season.
Williams achieved a breakthrough with his win at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix (Nat A), a result that earned him a contract with Saint Piran. Williams also racked up wins at the Yorkshire Under-23 Classic and two stages of the Clive Tiley Memorial stage race, marking his arrival as a serious competitor in the British circuit.
Westley started the season with USKIS Saint Piran before joining Saint Piran’s UCI team. Westley displayed consistency, achieving solid end of season performances in the National Road Series with 4th at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix and 6th place at the Beaumont Trophy.
Individual Open Standings, 2024 | Top 20
Click here to see the full standings for 2024.
Featured image: Ellen Isherwood
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