Clay Davies (Ride Revolution Coaching) emerged victorious at the Andrews Trophy, promoted by Southend Wheelers, conquering a twisting, rolling circuit set within the tranquil Essex lanes around South and East Hanningfield.
Later in the day, at the opening round of the British Team Cup, the Florrie Newbery Classic, Noemie Thomson (Southborough and District Wheelers) took a remarkable solo victory in her first-ever road race.
Featured image: Mark James
Report
Andrews Trophy
On a sinuous, rolling circuit nestled within the sleepy Essex lanes surrounding South and East Hanningfield, the Andrews Trophy served up a compelling contest that tested both tactical nous and endurance. Promoted by Southend Wheelers, the race proved an attritional affair, culminating in an impressive victory for Clay Davies of Ride Revolution Coaching.
Image: Mark James
Early proceedings unfolded at a blistering pace, driven predominantly by the ever-watchful Le Col Race Team, who were intent on stamping their authority on the peloton. Around the halfway point, the relentless pressure fractured the bunch dramatically, splitting the field into two decisive halves. With the trailing group ultimately withdrawn, attention turned entirely to the front cohort of approximately twenty riders, who briefly collaborated before descending into an absorbing, tactical stalemate.
Image: Mark James
For four tense laps, the leaders exchanged cautious moves, each probing for weaknesses without fully committing to a definitive attack. Among the most prominent protagonists were Monte Guerrini of Le Col RT and Danylo Riwnyj from Foran CT, both consistently active at the front, but neither managing to carve out a decisive advantage.
With fatigue creeping into the legs of even the strongest contenders, Davies sensed his moment. “When it became clear everyone was getting tired, including the big names, I started rolling off the front but fairly subtly,” Davies reflected post-race. “About halfway round the second to last lap I made a very subtle dig and just rolled off, holding a decent power for a couple of minutes, and was well gone.”
Image: Mark James
Davies’ nuanced acceleration proved decisive, allowing him to establish a gap that swiftly became insurmountable. Behind, Guerrini and Riwnyj fought valiantly, but were ultimately left to contest the lower podium steps, with Guerrini prevailing to secure second place ahead of Riwnyj.
Florrie Newbery Classic
Held over the same twisting, undulating circuit as the Andrews Trophy, the Florrie Newbery Classic provided a vibrant opening to the British Women’s Team Cup. Named in honour of Florrie Newbery, a true pioneer who became Southend Wheelers’ first female member in 1937 and an enduring advocate for women’s cycling, the race enjoyed its second edition in 2025. Having debuted as a Regional A event last year, the race stepped up to National B status, drawing a competitive field eager to make their mark.
Image: Mark James
Covering a brisk 98.8km, the race did not pass without incident; a crash on the second lap brought proceedings to a temporary halt. After a careful restart, the peloton quickly resumed its relentless tempo, with multiple early attacks marking a dynamic and aggressive contest.
In an astonishing narrative twist, victory went to debutant Noemie Thomson of Southborough and District Wheelers, who was competing in her very first road race. Previously successful in criteriums at Hog Hill, the step up to road racing proved no impediment for Thomson, who animated the race decisively.
“There were quite a few people attacking early on,” Thomson recounted afterwards. “I actually made an attack on the prime lap, but it got shut down. And there were a few others, but each time, it got closed down.”
Image: Mark James
Initially planning her decisive move for the final lap, Thomson adjusted her strategy spontaneously. “I decided to go on the penultimate lap instead,” she explained. “There’s a straight with two slight drags, so I made the move there. When I looked back, I’d built a decent gap, and then it was about just riding hard circles to maintain it. I was hoping behind they’d save themselves for a sprint for second and third. Thankfully, I stayed away.”
Behind Thomson’s courageous solo effort, Isabella Johnson (Jadan Vive Le Velo) emerged strongest from the chasing pack to secure second place, closely followed by promising junior Anna Lloyd (Shibden Apex RT) in third.
Image: Mark James
A delightful anecdote underscores Thomson’s remarkable win: before the race, she had casually asked the manager of the London Academy squad, “So what happens in a road race?” Her answer came emphatically out on the road, marking her as a rider with enormous potential.
Clay Davies (Ride Revolution Coaching) emerged victorious at the Andrews Trophy, promoted by Southend Wheelers, conquering a twisting, rolling circuit set within the tranquil Essex lanes around South and East Hanningfield.
Later in the day, at the opening round of the British Team Cup, the Florrie Newbery Classic, Noemie Thomson (Southborough and District Wheelers) took a remarkable solo victory in her first-ever road race.
Featured image: Mark James
Report
Andrews Trophy
On a sinuous, rolling circuit nestled within the sleepy Essex lanes surrounding South and East Hanningfield, the Andrews Trophy served up a compelling contest that tested both tactical nous and endurance. Promoted by Southend Wheelers, the race proved an attritional affair, culminating in an impressive victory for Clay Davies of Ride Revolution Coaching.
Early proceedings unfolded at a blistering pace, driven predominantly by the ever-watchful Le Col Race Team, who were intent on stamping their authority on the peloton. Around the halfway point, the relentless pressure fractured the bunch dramatically, splitting the field into two decisive halves. With the trailing group ultimately withdrawn, attention turned entirely to the front cohort of approximately twenty riders, who briefly collaborated before descending into an absorbing, tactical stalemate.
For four tense laps, the leaders exchanged cautious moves, each probing for weaknesses without fully committing to a definitive attack. Among the most prominent protagonists were Monte Guerrini of Le Col RT and Danylo Riwnyj from Foran CT, both consistently active at the front, but neither managing to carve out a decisive advantage.
With fatigue creeping into the legs of even the strongest contenders, Davies sensed his moment. “When it became clear everyone was getting tired, including the big names, I started rolling off the front but fairly subtly,” Davies reflected post-race. “About halfway round the second to last lap I made a very subtle dig and just rolled off, holding a decent power for a couple of minutes, and was well gone.”
Davies’ nuanced acceleration proved decisive, allowing him to establish a gap that swiftly became insurmountable. Behind, Guerrini and Riwnyj fought valiantly, but were ultimately left to contest the lower podium steps, with Guerrini prevailing to secure second place ahead of Riwnyj.
Florrie Newbery Classic
Held over the same twisting, undulating circuit as the Andrews Trophy, the Florrie Newbery Classic provided a vibrant opening to the British Women’s Team Cup. Named in honour of Florrie Newbery, a true pioneer who became Southend Wheelers’ first female member in 1937 and an enduring advocate for women’s cycling, the race enjoyed its second edition in 2025. Having debuted as a Regional A event last year, the race stepped up to National B status, drawing a competitive field eager to make their mark.
Covering a brisk 98.8km, the race did not pass without incident; a crash on the second lap brought proceedings to a temporary halt. After a careful restart, the peloton quickly resumed its relentless tempo, with multiple early attacks marking a dynamic and aggressive contest.
In an astonishing narrative twist, victory went to debutant Noemie Thomson of Southborough and District Wheelers, who was competing in her very first road race. Previously successful in criteriums at Hog Hill, the step up to road racing proved no impediment for Thomson, who animated the race decisively.
“There were quite a few people attacking early on,” Thomson recounted afterwards. “I actually made an attack on the prime lap, but it got shut down. And there were a few others, but each time, it got closed down.”
Initially planning her decisive move for the final lap, Thomson adjusted her strategy spontaneously. “I decided to go on the penultimate lap instead,” she explained. “There’s a straight with two slight drags, so I made the move there. When I looked back, I’d built a decent gap, and then it was about just riding hard circles to maintain it. I was hoping behind they’d save themselves for a sprint for second and third. Thankfully, I stayed away.”
Behind Thomson’s courageous solo effort, Isabella Johnson (Jadan Vive Le Velo) emerged strongest from the chasing pack to secure second place, closely followed by promising junior Anna Lloyd (Shibden Apex RT) in third.
A delightful anecdote underscores Thomson’s remarkable win: before the race, she had casually asked the manager of the London Academy squad, “So what happens in a road race?” Her answer came emphatically out on the road, marking her as a rider with enormous potential.
Results
Andrews Trophy
Provisional results – full results to follow.
Florrie Newbery Classic
To follow.
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