Almost a month on from the Portsdown Classic, National B action returns to the south on Sunday, as the prestigious Jock Wadley Memorial takes place in Essex for its 41st edition.
Featured image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
What is it?
The Jock Wadley Memorial, hosted by the Colchester Rovers Cycling Club, is a prestigious National B-level road cycling event held near Abberton Reservoir in Essex, renowned as one of Europe’s premier wetland locations.
After an impressive 24-year tenure in charge, Malcolm Hargreaves of Colchester Rovers CC handed over the organisational reins last year to his club colleague, Nick Swainston. This season marks the 41st edition of the prestigious race. The event pays tribute to Jock Wadley, an influential cycling journalist who introduced British audiences to European racing through publications such as The Bicycle, Sporting Cyclist, and International Cycle Sport.
Historically, the race has attracted a high-calibre field, featuring UCI Continental teams and other top domestic riders. Its roll of honour includes notable victors such as Ben Luckwell, Tony Gibb, Malcolm Elliott, Luke Rowe, Jonathan Tiernan-Locke, and Steele von Hoff, who clinched the title twice. Andy Lyons, another double champion, now oversees the DAS Richardsons team.
Last year, Jacob Vaughan secured a gritty solo victory and is set to return in pursuit of back-to-back wins.
Jacob Vaughan wins the 2024 edition. Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
Route
Starting and finishing in the village of Layer-de-la-Haye, just south of Colchester, the race covers 12 laps of Abberton Reservoir. Each lap measures 11.4 kilometres, with only 67 metres of elevation gain. Flat? Yes. Easy? Absolutely not. With twisty, narrow lanes, crosswinds, unrelenting drags, and a little kicker less than a kilometre from the finish, the racing promises to be fierce – especially with 80 riders eager to stretch their off-season legs.
A forecast of sunshine and mild weather should make for a stark contrast to last year’s rain-soaked edition. And with the strongest field of the season so far, you can expect a blistering pace. The bunch will likely be whittled down lap by lap, leaving both a late solo strike and a reduced-bunch sprint equally plausible.
Timings
The race begins at 11.00.
Contenders
With a stellar field assembled and no shortage of potential winners, 2024 champion Jacob Vaughan (VC Londres), who is the only previous winner set to take the start, will have his work cut out to defend his crown. However, the experienced former Lotto-Soudal development team rider was 13th at the Portsdown Classic almost a month ago, a result that shows he is still a threat on the road despite coming off the back of a winter of cyclocross and having one eye firmly on the gravel season.
If Vaughan is to repeat last year’s solo exploits he will have to overcome a number of strong teams with strength in numbers, Portsdown winner Jordan Giles heading a DAS Richardsons team which includes WorldTour experience courtesy of Alex Peters, Ràs Tailteann stage winner Alex Pritchard and sprinter Frank Longstaff, who makes his debut for Andy Lyons’ squad.
Foran CT has emerged as one of the powerhouses of domestic cycling over the past two seasons, Tom Springbett‘s second place at Portsdown further proves their growing strength in depth. With talisman Dom Jackson, Danylo Riwnyj and Mauritian Alex Mayer among their number, the London-based squad have multiple cards to play.
Jordan Giles wins the 2025 Portsdown Classic. Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
Ride Revolution Coaching feature Clay Davies, a recent winner in Spain, and James Ambrose Parish among their number, the duo joining forces for the first time to form what could be a deadly partnership after a number of battles between them in previous seasons.
Raptor Factory Racing only have two riders, but in Rowan Baker and Judicael Clair have two potential winners. Baker needs little introduction, his remarkable solo win at the East Cleveland Classic a year ago evidence of his capabilities; the U23 rider will be out to win following an unfortunately-timed puncture at the Portsdown Classic. 4th in that race was Clair, who made a name for himself after a good ride in the break.
Baker’s former teammate Tyler Hannay makes his debut for new team 7 Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines, the time trialist and winner of the Capernwray Road Race is one to watch, as is Jim Brown, a rider who has made the move stateside to Miami Blazers. Armed with a fast finish, his competitors will be wary to take the Yorkshireman to the line. Monte Guerrini (Le Col RT) took a National B win at the recent Royal Navy Cup, sprinting to the win from the breakaway, and the art dealer will look for another breakaway success here.
Judicael Clair and Tom Springbett at the 2025 Portsdown Classic. Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
There are a number of outsiders capable of springing a surprise, Welsh Champion Sam Llewelyn (PB Performance) hoping to upset the odds as he did when winning his title last year. Callum Laborde (Aylsham Road Club) makes his season debut in new colours after a consistent 2024 for Wheelbase CabTech Castelli, while Jake Jackson (MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK) rode strongly to finish tenth in the grim conditions at the Clayton Spring Classic at the end of last month.
Almost a month on from the Portsdown Classic, National B action returns to the south on Sunday, as the prestigious Jock Wadley Memorial takes place in Essex for its 41st edition.
Featured image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
What is it?
The Jock Wadley Memorial, hosted by the Colchester Rovers Cycling Club, is a prestigious National B-level road cycling event held near Abberton Reservoir in Essex, renowned as one of Europe’s premier wetland locations.
After an impressive 24-year tenure in charge, Malcolm Hargreaves of Colchester Rovers CC handed over the organisational reins last year to his club colleague, Nick Swainston. This season marks the 41st edition of the prestigious race. The event pays tribute to Jock Wadley, an influential cycling journalist who introduced British audiences to European racing through publications such as The Bicycle, Sporting Cyclist, and International Cycle Sport.
Historically, the race has attracted a high-calibre field, featuring UCI Continental teams and other top domestic riders. Its roll of honour includes notable victors such as Ben Luckwell, Tony Gibb, Malcolm Elliott, Luke Rowe, Jonathan Tiernan-Locke, and Steele von Hoff, who clinched the title twice. Andy Lyons, another double champion, now oversees the DAS Richardsons team.
Last year, Jacob Vaughan secured a gritty solo victory and is set to return in pursuit of back-to-back wins.
Route
Starting and finishing in the village of Layer-de-la-Haye, just south of Colchester, the race covers 12 laps of Abberton Reservoir. Each lap measures 11.4 kilometres, with only 67 metres of elevation gain. Flat? Yes. Easy? Absolutely not. With twisty, narrow lanes, crosswinds, unrelenting drags, and a little kicker less than a kilometre from the finish, the racing promises to be fierce – especially with 80 riders eager to stretch their off-season legs.
A forecast of sunshine and mild weather should make for a stark contrast to last year’s rain-soaked edition. And with the strongest field of the season so far, you can expect a blistering pace. The bunch will likely be whittled down lap by lap, leaving both a late solo strike and a reduced-bunch sprint equally plausible.
Timings
The race begins at 11.00.
Contenders
With a stellar field assembled and no shortage of potential winners, 2024 champion Jacob Vaughan (VC Londres), who is the only previous winner set to take the start, will have his work cut out to defend his crown. However, the experienced former Lotto-Soudal development team rider was 13th at the Portsdown Classic almost a month ago, a result that shows he is still a threat on the road despite coming off the back of a winter of cyclocross and having one eye firmly on the gravel season.
If Vaughan is to repeat last year’s solo exploits he will have to overcome a number of strong teams with strength in numbers, Portsdown winner Jordan Giles heading a DAS Richardsons team which includes WorldTour experience courtesy of Alex Peters, Ràs Tailteann stage winner Alex Pritchard and sprinter Frank Longstaff, who makes his debut for Andy Lyons’ squad.
Foran CT has emerged as one of the powerhouses of domestic cycling over the past two seasons, Tom Springbett‘s second place at Portsdown further proves their growing strength in depth. With talisman Dom Jackson, Danylo Riwnyj and Mauritian Alex Mayer among their number, the London-based squad have multiple cards to play.
Ride Revolution Coaching feature Clay Davies, a recent winner in Spain, and James Ambrose Parish among their number, the duo joining forces for the first time to form what could be a deadly partnership after a number of battles between them in previous seasons.
Raptor Factory Racing only have two riders, but in Rowan Baker and Judicael Clair have two potential winners. Baker needs little introduction, his remarkable solo win at the East Cleveland Classic a year ago evidence of his capabilities; the U23 rider will be out to win following an unfortunately-timed puncture at the Portsdown Classic. 4th in that race was Clair, who made a name for himself after a good ride in the break.
Baker’s former teammate Tyler Hannay makes his debut for new team 7 Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines, the time trialist and winner of the Capernwray Road Race is one to watch, as is Jim Brown, a rider who has made the move stateside to Miami Blazers. Armed with a fast finish, his competitors will be wary to take the Yorkshireman to the line. Monte Guerrini (Le Col RT) took a National B win at the recent Royal Navy Cup, sprinting to the win from the breakaway, and the art dealer will look for another breakaway success here.
There are a number of outsiders capable of springing a surprise, Welsh Champion Sam Llewelyn (PB Performance) hoping to upset the odds as he did when winning his title last year. Callum Laborde (Aylsham Road Club) makes his season debut in new colours after a consistent 2024 for Wheelbase CabTech Castelli, while Jake Jackson (MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK) rode strongly to finish tenth in the grim conditions at the Clayton Spring Classic at the end of last month.
Provisional startlist
Reserves
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