2025 Florrie Newbery Classic and Andrews Trophy: preview and startlists
Essex plays host to a rich celebration of domestic road racing this weekend, as the Andrews Trophy and Florrie Newbery Classic return for a double-header day of National B action - the latter serving as Round 1 of the British Women's Team Cup.
This is our full preview, complete with route details, riders to watch, and provisional startlists for both races.
Essex plays host to a rich celebration of domestic road racing this weekend, as the Andrews Trophy and Florrie Newbery Classic return for a double-header day of National B action – the latter serving as Round 1 of the British Women’s Team Cup.
This is our full preview, complete with route details, riders to watch, and provisional startlists for both races.
Featured image: Mark James
What is it?
The Andrews Trophy and the Florrie Newbery Classic form a double-header celebration of domestic road racing, proudly promoted by Southend Wheelers. Together, they bookend a full day of National B racing in Essex, with the Andrews Trophy in the morning and the Florrie Newbery Classic in the afternoon. While both events may be modest in scale, they carry rich symbolism — one honouring a much-loved club stalwart, the other celebrating a pioneering woman in the sport.
The Andrews Trophy has deep roots. First run in 1963 as a Romford RC promotion, it was created in memory of Tony Andrews, a talented rider and clubman who passed away from leukaemia. The trophy was presented to Chelmer CC in 1982, and the race has since passed hands between several local clubs before landing with Southend Wheelers. Though regional in feel, it’s long served as a proving ground for emerging talent and experienced amateurs alike. Past winners include future pros and local legends. In 2024, it was James Ambrose-Parish (TAAP Kalas) who took the honours, winning from a select group after a tactical and attritional race through the Essex lanes.
Ambrose-Parish wins the 2024 Andrews Trophy. Image: Chris Smith
The Florrie Newbery Classic, by contrast, is a newcomer with a growing reputation. Named after Florrie Newbery – the first woman to join Southend Wheelers in 1937 and a champion of women’s cycling within the club – the race was only inaugurated in 2024. That inaugural edition was run as a Regional A race. This year, it’s been upgraded to a National B event and serves as Round 1 of the British Women’s Team Cup. That makes it not only a tribute race, but a vital opener in a national points series designed to foster development and team competition in the women’s peloton.
Route
Both races play out over the same core circuit: a twisting, rolling loop nestled in the quiet lanes around South and East Hanningfield. With just over 117km for the Andrews Trophy and 98.8km for the women, the profile might not scream mountainous, but don’t be fooled — this is a course that wears riders down.
The roads are narrow, exposed and leg-sapping, with barely a flat section in sight. It’s a circuit built on rhythm — and designed to disrupt it. Long drags, short digs, and little time to recover between efforts mean positioning and race craft are just as important as raw watts. The climb up Pan Lane, tackled multiple times and likely to be decisive in both races, isn’t long or steep enough to be selective in isolation — but hit hard enough, lap after lap, it becomes a launchpad for moves and a graveyard for fading legs.
The finish comes shortly after that final rise: a long, straight run-in on Southend Road where tired groups often splinter under pressure. It’s not a sprinter’s dragstrip, but a final test of who has the legs left to hold form and line when the elastic snaps.
Riders to watch
Florrie Newbery Classic
While many of the top national series riders are absent, the Florrie Newbery Classic still boasts a fiercely competitive field eager to make their mark in Essex. With the door to victory wide open, a mix of rising talents and seasoned racers will be vying for the top step on Sunday.
Brother UK – OnForm arrives with arguably the strongest squad and plenty of youthful firepower. Lotty Dawson (Brother UK – OnForm), an under-23 talent, has signaled excellent early-season form. She hung tough with elite company at last month’s notoriously gruelling CiCLE Classic, finishing 17th on the treacherous roads to Melton, and achieved several National B road race podiums in 2024. Alongside her is junior Amelia Staunton, who at just 18 has been impressing in similar fashion. Staunton not only finished the CiCLE Classic in the front group (19th place), but also held her own in other National Road Series rounds against far more experienced riders. Staunton was second in the Witham Hall Grand Prix last year as a first-year junior. Can she reach the top step in a Nat B in 2025?
Savannah Morgan. Image: Mark James
The London Academy team likewise brings two in-form riders to watch closely: Savannah Morgan (London Academy) and Grace Sargeant (London Academy). Morgan is a known quantity on the domestic scene and already this spring she’s demonstrated her consistency with 3rd at the Kennel Hill Classic before a strong 6th place at the hilly Capernwray Road Race, racing in elite company like Kate Richardson and Lucy Harris.
Her teammate Sargeant is more of a wildcard – a rookie to road racing – her first road race was the North Lincolnshire Classic this year – but one with a rapidly rising stock. Sargeant turned heads at Capenwray by sprinting to 2nd place, only beaten by the young super-talent Esther Wong. That result, on a rolling course against several UCI Continental riders, underlined Sargeant’s raw power and race savvy despite her limited experience. If the race turns attritional, this pair could play a savvy one-two.
Among the more experienced contenders, Danielle Watkinson (Jadan Vive le Velo p/b Glasdon) stands out. The 29-year-old Londoner nearly won this race last year, sprinting to a close second in the 2024 edition. Since then, Watkinson’s confidence has only grown – last summer she surprised many with a brilliant runner-up finish at the prestigious Otley Grand Prix. A late convert to cycling with a track racing background, Watkinson has a reputation for aggressive attacks and isn’t afraid to go long.
Danni Watkinson. Image: Mark James
Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne (Raptor Factory Racing) is another fascinating contender – a one-woman team with an Olympian’s athletic pedigree. A former GB rower turned cyclist, Hodgkins-Byrne has wasted little time making an impact on the road. Two years ago she announced herself with a stunning 2nd place at the Lincoln Grand Prix, one of Britain’s hardest one-day races, and in 2024 she took a stage win at the Ronde van Wymeswold to prove that result was no fluke. Now riding solo for the Raptor squad, she brings raw power and an independent spirit to every race.
Beyond the six headline names above, there are a few others worth noting on the start list. Harri Martin (Wolfox CAMS Le Col), who placed fourth in this race last year, returns with an eye on the podium and the experience to contend once again. She’ll be supported by a small Wolfox squad and could thrive if the race turns into a war of attrition. The Fulfil the Potential Racing team also brings several promising riders – watch for the likes of Sasha Halsey, a punchy rider who has shown good form in regional events, to animate the breakaways. Watch out too for a Team Boompods contingent that includes U23 talent Katie-Anne Calton, adding an extra layer of depth to this field.
The Andrews Trophy
Several names stand out as riders to watch. Chief among them is the defending champion James Ambrose-Parish (Ride Revolution), who triumphed here last year with a perfectly timed late surge on Pan Lane. Ambrose-Parish has had a relatively quiet spring on the road – partly due to commitments on the track – but as the reigning victor he’ll be eager to prove last year was no one-off. Importantly, he won’t be duelling with his closest rival from 2024 this time; he’ll be racing alongside him. Last year’s runner-up Clay Davies is now Ambrose-Parish’s teammate at Ride Revolution Coaching, turning the former adversaries into a formidable tandem. Davies is arguably the sharper of the two so far this season, showing strong form with a top-five finish at the Jock Wadley Memorial in March. An adept all-rounder with a fast finish, he has the kind of kick that could again carry him onto the podium – or even one step higher – if he times it right.
Davies wins the CC Hackney road race. Image: Mark James
They’ll all have to contend with Monte Guerrini, perhaps the most in-form rider in the field. The London-based Italian has been on a tear this year, currently sitting near the top of The British Contintental’s road race rankings after a string of eye-catching results. Guerrini took a big win from a breakaway at the Royal Navy Cup earlier this spring and backed it up with podium rides in other National B events, arriving at the Andrews Trophy in excellent form.
Among the younger talents, Callum Laborde (Unattached) has been turning heads and could spring a surprise. The 20-year-old has stepped away from full-time elite racing this year, but his his season has nonetheless been nothing short of impressive. Laborde has already notched a couple of wins at the regional level and recently claimed a podium finish at the Kennel Hill Classic. Without the benefit of a large team, he’ll need to race smart and pick the right moves to follow.
Frank Longstaff (DAS Richardsons) brings both experience and raw speed – a dangerous combination on the fast finish into East Hanningfield. Now 26, Longstaff has developed a reputation as one of the domestic peloton’s best finishers. He’s the reigning British Madison champion on the track and has translated that turn of speed to the road with great success, racking up numerous wins last season. His victory in the Cambridge Criterium last summer was “a masterclass in tactics and timing”, underlining his knack for positioning and explosive power.
Danylo Riwnyj. Image: Ian Wrighston/The British Continental
Keep an eye on Danylo Riwnyj, who adds an element of unpredictability to this year’s lineup. The Foran CT rider has been knocking on the door of a big result and comes into the Andrews Trophy off the back of a breakthrough performance. Just last week, Riwnyj animated the PNE Regional Championships with a long-range attack and ultimately rounded out the podium in that 130 km slugfest. That third-place finish – achieved after spending much of the day in the winning break – will have given him a huge confidence boost.
Of course, the beauty of the Andrews Trophy is its knack for delivering surprises, and there are plenty of other contenders who could feature. DAP CC’s Morris Bacon, who placed fourth in 2024, brings proven consistency and local knowledge that could see him in contention once again. And we shouldn’t forget Guerrini’s teammate Toby Langstone, whose aggressive riding nearly bridged to the leaders in the finale last year and who provides Le Col RT with another card to play.
Essex plays host to a rich celebration of domestic road racing this weekend, as the Andrews Trophy and Florrie Newbery Classic return for a double-header day of National B action – the latter serving as Round 1 of the British Women’s Team Cup.
This is our full preview, complete with route details, riders to watch, and provisional startlists for both races.
Featured image: Mark James
What is it?
The Andrews Trophy and the Florrie Newbery Classic form a double-header celebration of domestic road racing, proudly promoted by Southend Wheelers. Together, they bookend a full day of National B racing in Essex, with the Andrews Trophy in the morning and the Florrie Newbery Classic in the afternoon. While both events may be modest in scale, they carry rich symbolism — one honouring a much-loved club stalwart, the other celebrating a pioneering woman in the sport.
The Andrews Trophy has deep roots. First run in 1963 as a Romford RC promotion, it was created in memory of Tony Andrews, a talented rider and clubman who passed away from leukaemia. The trophy was presented to Chelmer CC in 1982, and the race has since passed hands between several local clubs before landing with Southend Wheelers. Though regional in feel, it’s long served as a proving ground for emerging talent and experienced amateurs alike. Past winners include future pros and local legends. In 2024, it was James Ambrose-Parish (TAAP Kalas) who took the honours, winning from a select group after a tactical and attritional race through the Essex lanes.
The Florrie Newbery Classic, by contrast, is a newcomer with a growing reputation. Named after Florrie Newbery – the first woman to join Southend Wheelers in 1937 and a champion of women’s cycling within the club – the race was only inaugurated in 2024. That inaugural edition was run as a Regional A race. This year, it’s been upgraded to a National B event and serves as Round 1 of the British Women’s Team Cup. That makes it not only a tribute race, but a vital opener in a national points series designed to foster development and team competition in the women’s peloton.
Route
Both races play out over the same core circuit: a twisting, rolling loop nestled in the quiet lanes around South and East Hanningfield. With just over 117km for the Andrews Trophy and 98.8km for the women, the profile might not scream mountainous, but don’t be fooled — this is a course that wears riders down.
The roads are narrow, exposed and leg-sapping, with barely a flat section in sight. It’s a circuit built on rhythm — and designed to disrupt it. Long drags, short digs, and little time to recover between efforts mean positioning and race craft are just as important as raw watts. The climb up Pan Lane, tackled multiple times and likely to be decisive in both races, isn’t long or steep enough to be selective in isolation — but hit hard enough, lap after lap, it becomes a launchpad for moves and a graveyard for fading legs.
The finish comes shortly after that final rise: a long, straight run-in on Southend Road where tired groups often splinter under pressure. It’s not a sprinter’s dragstrip, but a final test of who has the legs left to hold form and line when the elastic snaps.
Riders to watch
Florrie Newbery Classic
While many of the top national series riders are absent, the Florrie Newbery Classic still boasts a fiercely competitive field eager to make their mark in Essex. With the door to victory wide open, a mix of rising talents and seasoned racers will be vying for the top step on Sunday.
Brother UK – OnForm arrives with arguably the strongest squad and plenty of youthful firepower. Lotty Dawson (Brother UK – OnForm), an under-23 talent, has signaled excellent early-season form. She hung tough with elite company at last month’s notoriously gruelling CiCLE Classic, finishing 17th on the treacherous roads to Melton, and achieved several National B road race podiums in 2024. Alongside her is junior Amelia Staunton, who at just 18 has been impressing in similar fashion. Staunton not only finished the CiCLE Classic in the front group (19th place), but also held her own in other National Road Series rounds against far more experienced riders. Staunton was second in the Witham Hall Grand Prix last year as a first-year junior. Can she reach the top step in a Nat B in 2025?
The London Academy team likewise brings two in-form riders to watch closely: Savannah Morgan (London Academy) and Grace Sargeant (London Academy). Morgan is a known quantity on the domestic scene and already this spring she’s demonstrated her consistency with 3rd at the Kennel Hill Classic before a strong 6th place at the hilly Capernwray Road Race, racing in elite company like Kate Richardson and Lucy Harris.
Her teammate Sargeant is more of a wildcard – a rookie to road racing – her first road race was the North Lincolnshire Classic this year – but one with a rapidly rising stock. Sargeant turned heads at Capenwray by sprinting to 2nd place, only beaten by the young super-talent Esther Wong. That result, on a rolling course against several UCI Continental riders, underlined Sargeant’s raw power and race savvy despite her limited experience. If the race turns attritional, this pair could play a savvy one-two.
Among the more experienced contenders, Danielle Watkinson (Jadan Vive le Velo p/b Glasdon) stands out. The 29-year-old Londoner nearly won this race last year, sprinting to a close second in the 2024 edition. Since then, Watkinson’s confidence has only grown – last summer she surprised many with a brilliant runner-up finish at the prestigious Otley Grand Prix. A late convert to cycling with a track racing background, Watkinson has a reputation for aggressive attacks and isn’t afraid to go long.
Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne (Raptor Factory Racing) is another fascinating contender – a one-woman team with an Olympian’s athletic pedigree. A former GB rower turned cyclist, Hodgkins-Byrne has wasted little time making an impact on the road. Two years ago she announced herself with a stunning 2nd place at the Lincoln Grand Prix, one of Britain’s hardest one-day races, and in 2024 she took a stage win at the Ronde van Wymeswold to prove that result was no fluke. Now riding solo for the Raptor squad, she brings raw power and an independent spirit to every race.
Beyond the six headline names above, there are a few others worth noting on the start list. Harri Martin (Wolfox CAMS Le Col), who placed fourth in this race last year, returns with an eye on the podium and the experience to contend once again. She’ll be supported by a small Wolfox squad and could thrive if the race turns into a war of attrition. The Fulfil the Potential Racing team also brings several promising riders – watch for the likes of Sasha Halsey, a punchy rider who has shown good form in regional events, to animate the breakaways. Watch out too for a Team Boompods contingent that includes U23 talent Katie-Anne Calton, adding an extra layer of depth to this field.
The Andrews Trophy
Several names stand out as riders to watch. Chief among them is the defending champion James Ambrose-Parish (Ride Revolution), who triumphed here last year with a perfectly timed late surge on Pan Lane. Ambrose-Parish has had a relatively quiet spring on the road – partly due to commitments on the track – but as the reigning victor he’ll be eager to prove last year was no one-off. Importantly, he won’t be duelling with his closest rival from 2024 this time; he’ll be racing alongside him. Last year’s runner-up Clay Davies is now Ambrose-Parish’s teammate at Ride Revolution Coaching, turning the former adversaries into a formidable tandem. Davies is arguably the sharper of the two so far this season, showing strong form with a top-five finish at the Jock Wadley Memorial in March. An adept all-rounder with a fast finish, he has the kind of kick that could again carry him onto the podium – or even one step higher – if he times it right.
They’ll all have to contend with Monte Guerrini, perhaps the most in-form rider in the field. The London-based Italian has been on a tear this year, currently sitting near the top of The British Contintental’s road race rankings after a string of eye-catching results. Guerrini took a big win from a breakaway at the Royal Navy Cup earlier this spring and backed it up with podium rides in other National B events, arriving at the Andrews Trophy in excellent form.
Among the younger talents, Callum Laborde (Unattached) has been turning heads and could spring a surprise. The 20-year-old has stepped away from full-time elite racing this year, but his his season has nonetheless been nothing short of impressive. Laborde has already notched a couple of wins at the regional level and recently claimed a podium finish at the Kennel Hill Classic. Without the benefit of a large team, he’ll need to race smart and pick the right moves to follow.
Frank Longstaff (DAS Richardsons) brings both experience and raw speed – a dangerous combination on the fast finish into East Hanningfield. Now 26, Longstaff has developed a reputation as one of the domestic peloton’s best finishers. He’s the reigning British Madison champion on the track and has translated that turn of speed to the road with great success, racking up numerous wins last season. His victory in the Cambridge Criterium last summer was “a masterclass in tactics and timing”, underlining his knack for positioning and explosive power.
Keep an eye on Danylo Riwnyj, who adds an element of unpredictability to this year’s lineup. The Foran CT rider has been knocking on the door of a big result and comes into the Andrews Trophy off the back of a breakthrough performance. Just last week, Riwnyj animated the PNE Regional Championships with a long-range attack and ultimately rounded out the podium in that 130 km slugfest. That third-place finish – achieved after spending much of the day in the winning break – will have given him a huge confidence boost.
Of course, the beauty of the Andrews Trophy is its knack for delivering surprises, and there are plenty of other contenders who could feature. DAP CC’s Morris Bacon, who placed fourth in 2024, brings proven consistency and local knowledge that could see him in contention once again. And we shouldn’t forget Guerrini’s teammate Toby Langstone, whose aggressive riding nearly bridged to the leaders in the finale last year and who provides Le Col RT with another card to play.
Provisional startlists
Florrie Newbery Classic
The Andrews Trophy
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