While the women’s National Road Series kicks off in Melton Mowbray on Sunday, the prestigious Wally Gimber Trophy provides open-category riders with a chance to join the race’s illustrious roster of past winners.
Here’s a preview and a look at the startlist.
Featured image: Mark James
What is it?
The Wally Gimber Trophy, organised by Dulwich Paragon, is a prestigious ‘National B’ level road race taking place this year on a fresh circuit in Surrey. Now in its 65th edition, it is one of the longest-running road races in the UK.
Its story is closely linked to the history of Dulwich Paragon, thanks to the generosity of Wally Gimber. A committed club member during the 1940s, Gimber excelled at the local Herne Hill track and claimed the London centre track, massed start, and roller championships in 1948–49. He also set a national tandem-paced half-mile record of 48.55 seconds. Although he moved to the US in the 1960s, Gimber remained connected to the club, returning to the UK in 1985 to present the trophy at its 50th anniversary dinner. He stayed in touch until his passing in 1993.
Over time, the race has become a must-watch early-season event, regularly attracting top British cyclists and boasting a distinguished list of winners, including Sir Bradley Wiggins. Multiple victors such as Tony Gibb, Simon Cope, and Rob Hurd further underscore the race’s importance in the domestic cycling calendar.
After a year’s Covid-related hiatus, the race returned in August 2021 on a new course in Tenterden, where Chris McNamara (Nuun – Sigma Sports – London RT) finally clinched victory after more than two decades of attempts. In 2022, Alex Richardson delivered a commanding performance to secure his second title, having first won in 2019. Sadly, the 2023 edition was cut short following a severe rider injury caused by a collision with a car. In 2024, Dylan Westley led home a USKIS Saint Piran 1-2, further adding to the race’s storied legacy.
Dylan Westley wins in 2024. Image: Mark James
Route
The race now has a fresh, more demanding circuit in Bletchingly, first used last year. Short, steep climbs lead up to the finish line, followed by a deceptive false flat along the A25, then a much-needed descent and a flat stretch south to the base of the loop.
Starting at the race HQ in Bletchingly, the circuit is 16.4km with 226m of elevation, as per VeloViewer. Riders will tackle eight-and-a-half laps—finishing between Miller’s Lane and Gaywood Lane in Outwood—for a total distance of 140km and nearly 2,000m of climbing. The final ascent on Scott’s Hill is the toughest, featuring double-digit gradients; it’s here that rouleurs must distance the puncheurs to stand a chance of victory.
Timings
11.05
Race start
14.45
Race finish (expected timetable)
Weather
At the time of writing, the forecast says there will be light showers.
Riders to watch
Rowan Baker, third here last year, heads the 80 rider start list, Raptor Factory Racing’s talisman in fine form after an incredible ride at the Peaks 2 Day last weekend where he won the final stage, and with it the overall, by over four minutes. He paid tribute to his team after the race, and in Thomas Heal and Dylan Hicks he has two potential winners alongside him again. In the absence of Foran CT all eyes will be on the Putney-based team to control the race, although they’ve shown so far this season that attack is often the best form of defence.
Rowna Baker, right, in action last season. Image: Mark James
One rider who came close to overshadowing Baker’s heroics last weekend was the rider in second place, Adam Howell. A surprise winner of the opening stage, he finished on the podium of the following two, only denied victory by Baker’s epic escape on Sunday afternoon. The 20-year-old has propelled himself into a real contender at National B level and will be looking to ride the crest of his wave here with another tough course to his liking. The sole rider from Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck, he will need to be vigilant as the moves go throughout the race.
Alex Peters (DAS Richardsons) begins his season this weekend, the former Team Sky recruit a winner of some of the biggest races in the UK. The new route and tough climb to the finish suit him, as they do Josh Housley, who had a breakthrough 2024, winning the East Midlands championship alongside two National Bs. The Nottingham rider travels south to form part of a Primera-TeamJobs team that includes Bernard Galea and veteran Steve Lampier, who won the National Road Series a decade ago.
Jamie Whitcher (BmthCycleworks VitecFire FordCE) heads to the race in good form, taking the win in a number time trials already this season, while Sam Walsham (Reflex Nopinz) has also started strongly with a win at Darley Moor and second in a wet and windy Clayton Spring Classic, conditions unlikely to pose an issue for him on Sunday.
Clay Davies, right, at the 2025 Jock Wadley Memorial. Image: Mark James
Clay Davies (Ride Revolution Coaching) and Jim Brown (Miami Blazers) are both riders with a fast finish who will need to use their racecraft to navigate proceedings to their favour, the steep gradients and long false flat making it unlikely for a large bunch to go into the final stages of the race together. Lurking on the reserves list is Matt King (Atom 6-Decca), who is another rider who falls into this category.
While the women’s National Road Series kicks off in Melton Mowbray on Sunday, the prestigious Wally Gimber Trophy provides open-category riders with a chance to join the race’s illustrious roster of past winners.
Here’s a preview and a look at the startlist.
Featured image: Mark James
What is it?
The Wally Gimber Trophy, organised by Dulwich Paragon, is a prestigious ‘National B’ level road race taking place this year on a fresh circuit in Surrey. Now in its 65th edition, it is one of the longest-running road races in the UK.
Its story is closely linked to the history of Dulwich Paragon, thanks to the generosity of Wally Gimber. A committed club member during the 1940s, Gimber excelled at the local Herne Hill track and claimed the London centre track, massed start, and roller championships in 1948–49. He also set a national tandem-paced half-mile record of 48.55 seconds. Although he moved to the US in the 1960s, Gimber remained connected to the club, returning to the UK in 1985 to present the trophy at its 50th anniversary dinner. He stayed in touch until his passing in 1993.
Over time, the race has become a must-watch early-season event, regularly attracting top British cyclists and boasting a distinguished list of winners, including Sir Bradley Wiggins. Multiple victors such as Tony Gibb, Simon Cope, and Rob Hurd further underscore the race’s importance in the domestic cycling calendar.
After a year’s Covid-related hiatus, the race returned in August 2021 on a new course in Tenterden, where Chris McNamara (Nuun – Sigma Sports – London RT) finally clinched victory after more than two decades of attempts. In 2022, Alex Richardson delivered a commanding performance to secure his second title, having first won in 2019. Sadly, the 2023 edition was cut short following a severe rider injury caused by a collision with a car. In 2024, Dylan Westley led home a USKIS Saint Piran 1-2, further adding to the race’s storied legacy.
Route
The race now has a fresh, more demanding circuit in Bletchingly, first used last year. Short, steep climbs lead up to the finish line, followed by a deceptive false flat along the A25, then a much-needed descent and a flat stretch south to the base of the loop.
Starting at the race HQ in Bletchingly, the circuit is 16.4km with 226m of elevation, as per VeloViewer. Riders will tackle eight-and-a-half laps—finishing between Miller’s Lane and Gaywood Lane in Outwood—for a total distance of 140km and nearly 2,000m of climbing. The final ascent on Scott’s Hill is the toughest, featuring double-digit gradients; it’s here that rouleurs must distance the puncheurs to stand a chance of victory.
Timings
Weather
At the time of writing, the forecast says there will be light showers.
Riders to watch
Rowan Baker, third here last year, heads the 80 rider start list, Raptor Factory Racing’s talisman in fine form after an incredible ride at the Peaks 2 Day last weekend where he won the final stage, and with it the overall, by over four minutes. He paid tribute to his team after the race, and in Thomas Heal and Dylan Hicks he has two potential winners alongside him again. In the absence of Foran CT all eyes will be on the Putney-based team to control the race, although they’ve shown so far this season that attack is often the best form of defence.
One rider who came close to overshadowing Baker’s heroics last weekend was the rider in second place, Adam Howell. A surprise winner of the opening stage, he finished on the podium of the following two, only denied victory by Baker’s epic escape on Sunday afternoon. The 20-year-old has propelled himself into a real contender at National B level and will be looking to ride the crest of his wave here with another tough course to his liking. The sole rider from Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck, he will need to be vigilant as the moves go throughout the race.
Alex Peters (DAS Richardsons) begins his season this weekend, the former Team Sky recruit a winner of some of the biggest races in the UK. The new route and tough climb to the finish suit him, as they do Josh Housley, who had a breakthrough 2024, winning the East Midlands championship alongside two National Bs. The Nottingham rider travels south to form part of a Primera-TeamJobs team that includes Bernard Galea and veteran Steve Lampier, who won the National Road Series a decade ago.
Jamie Whitcher (BmthCycleworks VitecFire FordCE) heads to the race in good form, taking the win in a number time trials already this season, while Sam Walsham (Reflex Nopinz) has also started strongly with a win at Darley Moor and second in a wet and windy Clayton Spring Classic, conditions unlikely to pose an issue for him on Sunday.
Clay Davies (Ride Revolution Coaching) and Jim Brown (Miami Blazers) are both riders with a fast finish who will need to use their racecraft to navigate proceedings to their favour, the steep gradients and long false flat making it unlikely for a large bunch to go into the final stages of the race together. Lurking on the reserves list is Matt King (Atom 6-Decca), who is another rider who falls into this category.
Provisional startlist
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