Josh Housley (Primera-TeamJobs) and Esther Wong (Torelli) were the victors at the Capernwray Road Race on a beautiful day in Lancashire, Saturday 5 April
Josh Housley (Primera-TeamJobs) and Esther Wong (Torelli) took commanding wins at the Capernwray Road Races on a sun-soaked day in Lancashire. Housley earned the biggest victory of his career, outsprinting Bradley Symonds (Raptor Factory Racing) after a race-long breakaway. Wong, benefiting from her local knowledge, surged clear on the punishing Sunny Bank climb, clinching her second major success of the season ahead of Grace Sergeant (London Academy) and Anna Morris (Private Member).
There was little time for the 60 strong field to appreciate the beautiful sunshine as it beamed down on the rugged Lancastrian landscape, eventual winner Josh Housley (Primera-TeamJobs) the first to attack, with Bradley Symonds (Raptor Factory Racing) and George Peden (PB Performance) soon joining him, the strong trio opening up a sizeable gap on the opening lap of eight. Will Taylor was the only rider to be moved from the chasing peloton, the Moonglu Spatzwear rider sprinting off in pursuit up the long finishing climb, as Will Truelove (Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck) set a steady tempo patrolling the front of the peloton, no sign of panic from Adam Ellis’ the in-form team at this early stage of the race.
With a cool breeze coming from the east, arm warmers were the attire of choice early on, the action heating up on the second lap as a group of around eight riders, containing Truelove, breakaway specialist Jake Edwards (360Cycling), track star Will Tidball (Chorlton Velo), and the promising Alex Ball (BCC RT), found themselves a minute in arrears of the three riders up front. Behind the calm of the peloton had dissolved, gilets flapping around in the wind as the pace increased; action at both ends with riders desperate to get across the gap, others desperate to hang on.
A lap later the peloton’s actions were paying off as the gap to the chasing group was cut down to just a matter of metres, Will Roberts (Dolan Factory Racing) one of the big name casualties claimed by the slopes of Sunny Bank as he slipped off the back, followed by Arhon Dick (Equipo Finisher), who battled the steep gradients in one of his largest gears after a mechanical issue.
The peloton failed to make the catch however and were still around 20 seconds in arrears to the chasing group as the race reached the halfway point, Tom Armstrong (Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli) and Scottish Champion Logan Maclean (Private Member) realising the danger and causing the group to split in two as they upped the pace on the steepest part of Sunny Bank.
Out front, the three leaders appeared to be working well together, Housley ever present in setting the pace on the long climb to the finish line, their advantage after five laps remaining a steady 50 seconds to a group that was now 18 riders strong, led by Matthew Warhurst (Defined Cycling Team); the winner set to come from the first two groups. Ed Morgan (Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck) was one notable rider to have missed the move, climbing off at the end of the lap, the pace in the third group on the road somewhat pedestrian in comparison to the two out front.
As the laps ticked down the gap to the three leaders followed, Housley breaking the truce by setting high tempo on Sunny Bank, breaking Peden’s resistance gradually. The PB Performance rider slowly slipped off the wheel of Symonds, who remained locked onto the rear of the East Midlands Champion. 30 seconds later a six riders group appeared, led by Edwards; 360 Cycling the only team represented by two riders with teammate Maxwell Hereward joining him, alongside Maclean, Armstrong and Ball. With the race heading to a thrilling climax on the hilly terrain, Alex Beldon (Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck), winner of the opening round of the U23 National Series less than a week ago, led what was now the third group on the road in a last ditch effort to get back on level terms, the race riding away from them.
On the penultimate ascent of Sunny Bank Housley again took up pace setting duties, Symonds locked onto his wheel as a dogged Peden used his time trial prowess to hang on to their coattails, his shoulders rocking only a handful of seconds behind. Meanwhile Beldon had made his way across to join his teammate Truelove in what was now a seven man group still 30 seconds in arrears, the race wide open with one lap and 13km to decide to winner.
Coming into the finish line atop the punishing gradients of Sunny Bank, it was Housley, twice a National B winner last year, who appeared round the final bend first, shouting in delight, arms pumped as he crossed the line to take the biggest win of his career. Symonds, another rider from the East Midlands, was unable to match Housley’s finishing kick as he rolled in just behind, Tom Armstrong outsprinting U23 rider Jake Edwards to take 3rd, Peden having been caught on the final slopes of Sunny Bank.
Housley, who came so close to another epic victory at last week’s Kennel Hill Classic, told The British Continental after the race:
“I’ve always wanted to win this race. It was nice to pull it off this week. Last week was frustrating knowing that I left it all out there, but this week, it’s so much better!
“The plan was to just get out up the road early, I thought there would be more than just three of us, but I thought we’d have a good chance. It became a bit spicy at points with the gap, I think it was down to 20 seconds at one point, but last couple of laps we just hit it on the climbs. Unfortunately, George dropped off, to be fair he held his own, it was a strong ride from George! Me and Brad are very good mates anyway, so it was nice to be one and two coming up the hill.at the end there.”
Housley heads to the East Cleveland Classic next week, the first round of the National Road Series, as a dark horse, the steep slopes of Saltburn Bank and hilly course not dissimilar to the parcours of Capernwray. “After that I’m a little bit more convinced!”, he laughed, when asked about his chances of a first National A win in the colours of his new Primera-TeamJobs outfit.
Women’s race
Blue skies persisted into the afternoon for the women’s edition of the Capernwray Road Race, setting an idyllic backdrop for a tough, attritional battle across six laps of the challenging course.
The peloton remained compact after the first lap, with riders sizing each other up under the Lancashire sunshine. Lap two saw only minor attrition, with just five or six riders dropping off the pace, as the main field continued intact.
The race exploded into life on the third lap, with a strong, decisive group breaking clear. Quickly establishing over a minute’s advantage, the break included Hannah Clough (University of Nottingham CC), Sav Morgan (London Academy), Grace Sergeant (London Academy), Anna Morris (Private Member), Esther Wong (Torelli), Lucy Harris (Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team), Olivia French (StolenGoat Race Team), Bexy Dew (Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team), Morven Yeoman (DAS-Hutchinson), and Lulu Bartlett (Team Boompods) – an impressive selection packed with quality.
By lap four, the lead group had extended their advantage significantly, holding a commanding gap of two minutes and thirty seconds over the chasing peloton, effectively neutralising any threat from behind.
Approaching the bell lap, Esther Wong took matters into her own hands. The local rider, clearly benefiting from her intimate knowledge of the route and especially the steep ramps of Sunny Bank, forced a blistering pace at the front. The decisive surge fragmented the lead group, leaving rivals scrambling in her wake.
On the final punishing ascent of Sunny Bank towards the finish, Wong’s climbing prowess was undeniable as she powered away from her remaining companions. Cresting the climb alone, Wong secured an emphatic victory, crossing the line a few seconds clear of Grace Sergeant. Track specialist Anna Morris battled valiantly to claim third place, narrowly edging out Lucy Harris.
This victory marks another notable success for Wong, following her impressive final-stage triumph at the Peaks 2 Day in March. Today’s commanding performance offers a tantalising glimpse into the potential of the first-year under-23, setting the scene perfectly for her upcoming challenge at the East Cleveland Classic next weekend.
Josh Housley (Primera-TeamJobs) and Esther Wong (Torelli) took commanding wins at the Capernwray Road Races on a sun-soaked day in Lancashire. Housley earned the biggest victory of his career, outsprinting Bradley Symonds (Raptor Factory Racing) after a race-long breakaway. Wong, benefiting from her local knowledge, surged clear on the punishing Sunny Bank climb, clinching her second major success of the season ahead of Grace Sergeant (London Academy) and Anna Morris (Private Member).
Featured image: Darren Athersmith
Report
Open race
There was little time for the 60 strong field to appreciate the beautiful sunshine as it beamed down on the rugged Lancastrian landscape, eventual winner Josh Housley (Primera-TeamJobs) the first to attack, with Bradley Symonds (Raptor Factory Racing) and George Peden (PB Performance) soon joining him, the strong trio opening up a sizeable gap on the opening lap of eight. Will Taylor was the only rider to be moved from the chasing peloton, the Moonglu Spatzwear rider sprinting off in pursuit up the long finishing climb, as Will Truelove (Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck) set a steady tempo patrolling the front of the peloton, no sign of panic from Adam Ellis’ the in-form team at this early stage of the race.
With a cool breeze coming from the east, arm warmers were the attire of choice early on, the action heating up on the second lap as a group of around eight riders, containing Truelove, breakaway specialist Jake Edwards (360Cycling), track star Will Tidball (Chorlton Velo), and the promising Alex Ball (BCC RT), found themselves a minute in arrears of the three riders up front. Behind the calm of the peloton had dissolved, gilets flapping around in the wind as the pace increased; action at both ends with riders desperate to get across the gap, others desperate to hang on.
A lap later the peloton’s actions were paying off as the gap to the chasing group was cut down to just a matter of metres, Will Roberts (Dolan Factory Racing) one of the big name casualties claimed by the slopes of Sunny Bank as he slipped off the back, followed by Arhon Dick (Equipo Finisher), who battled the steep gradients in one of his largest gears after a mechanical issue.
The peloton failed to make the catch however and were still around 20 seconds in arrears to the chasing group as the race reached the halfway point, Tom Armstrong (Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli) and Scottish Champion Logan Maclean (Private Member) realising the danger and causing the group to split in two as they upped the pace on the steepest part of Sunny Bank.
Out front, the three leaders appeared to be working well together, Housley ever present in setting the pace on the long climb to the finish line, their advantage after five laps remaining a steady 50 seconds to a group that was now 18 riders strong, led by Matthew Warhurst (Defined Cycling Team); the winner set to come from the first two groups. Ed Morgan (Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck) was one notable rider to have missed the move, climbing off at the end of the lap, the pace in the third group on the road somewhat pedestrian in comparison to the two out front.
As the laps ticked down the gap to the three leaders followed, Housley breaking the truce by setting high tempo on Sunny Bank, breaking Peden’s resistance gradually. The PB Performance rider slowly slipped off the wheel of Symonds, who remained locked onto the rear of the East Midlands Champion. 30 seconds later a six riders group appeared, led by Edwards; 360 Cycling the only team represented by two riders with teammate Maxwell Hereward joining him, alongside Maclean, Armstrong and Ball. With the race heading to a thrilling climax on the hilly terrain, Alex Beldon (Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck), winner of the opening round of the U23 National Series less than a week ago, led what was now the third group on the road in a last ditch effort to get back on level terms, the race riding away from them.
On the penultimate ascent of Sunny Bank Housley again took up pace setting duties, Symonds locked onto his wheel as a dogged Peden used his time trial prowess to hang on to their coattails, his shoulders rocking only a handful of seconds behind. Meanwhile Beldon had made his way across to join his teammate Truelove in what was now a seven man group still 30 seconds in arrears, the race wide open with one lap and 13km to decide to winner.
Coming into the finish line atop the punishing gradients of Sunny Bank, it was Housley, twice a National B winner last year, who appeared round the final bend first, shouting in delight, arms pumped as he crossed the line to take the biggest win of his career. Symonds, another rider from the East Midlands, was unable to match Housley’s finishing kick as he rolled in just behind, Tom Armstrong outsprinting U23 rider Jake Edwards to take 3rd, Peden having been caught on the final slopes of Sunny Bank.
Housley, who came so close to another epic victory at last week’s Kennel Hill Classic, told The British Continental after the race:
“I’ve always wanted to win this race. It was nice to pull it off this week. Last week was frustrating knowing that I left it all out there, but this week, it’s so much better!
“The plan was to just get out up the road early, I thought there would be more than just three of us, but I thought we’d have a good chance. It became a bit spicy at points with the gap, I think it was down to 20 seconds at one point, but last couple of laps we just hit it on the climbs. Unfortunately, George dropped off, to be fair he held his own, it was a strong ride from George! Me and Brad are very good mates anyway, so it was nice to be one and two coming up the hill.at the end there.”
Housley heads to the East Cleveland Classic next week, the first round of the National Road Series, as a dark horse, the steep slopes of Saltburn Bank and hilly course not dissimilar to the parcours of Capernwray. “After that I’m a little bit more convinced!”, he laughed, when asked about his chances of a first National A win in the colours of his new Primera-TeamJobs outfit.
Women’s race
Blue skies persisted into the afternoon for the women’s edition of the Capernwray Road Race, setting an idyllic backdrop for a tough, attritional battle across six laps of the challenging course.
The peloton remained compact after the first lap, with riders sizing each other up under the Lancashire sunshine. Lap two saw only minor attrition, with just five or six riders dropping off the pace, as the main field continued intact.
The race exploded into life on the third lap, with a strong, decisive group breaking clear. Quickly establishing over a minute’s advantage, the break included Hannah Clough (University of Nottingham CC), Sav Morgan (London Academy), Grace Sergeant (London Academy), Anna Morris (Private Member), Esther Wong (Torelli), Lucy Harris (Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team), Olivia French (StolenGoat Race Team), Bexy Dew (Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team), Morven Yeoman (DAS-Hutchinson), and Lulu Bartlett (Team Boompods) – an impressive selection packed with quality.
By lap four, the lead group had extended their advantage significantly, holding a commanding gap of two minutes and thirty seconds over the chasing peloton, effectively neutralising any threat from behind.
Approaching the bell lap, Esther Wong took matters into her own hands. The local rider, clearly benefiting from her intimate knowledge of the route and especially the steep ramps of Sunny Bank, forced a blistering pace at the front. The decisive surge fragmented the lead group, leaving rivals scrambling in her wake.
On the final punishing ascent of Sunny Bank towards the finish, Wong’s climbing prowess was undeniable as she powered away from her remaining companions. Cresting the climb alone, Wong secured an emphatic victory, crossing the line a few seconds clear of Grace Sergeant. Track specialist Anna Morris battled valiantly to claim third place, narrowly edging out Lucy Harris.
This victory marks another notable success for Wong, following her impressive final-stage triumph at the Peaks 2 Day in March. Today’s commanding performance offers a tantalising glimpse into the potential of the first-year under-23, setting the scene perfectly for her upcoming challenge at the East Cleveland Classic next weekend.
Results
Open race
Women’s race
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