2025 GA Bennett p/b Pedal Pushers of Grantham: preview and startlist
One of the longest-standing road races on the calendar rounds off a bumper bank holiday weekend of National B action on Monday afternoon (26 May), the roads to the south of the historic market town of Grantham playing host to the GA Bennett Road Race.
One of the longest-standing road races on the calendar rounds off a bumper bank holiday weekend of National B action on Monday afternoon (26 May), the roads to the south of the historic market town of Grantham playing host to the GA Bennett Road Race.
What is it?
Promoted by Grantham’s Witham Wheelers, the 133km race rolls out of Grantham Cricket Club at 1.15pm, preceded by a Regional B support race in the morning.
First held in 1962, the historic race has a prestigious list of winners, featuring Graham Briggs, twice a victor in 2002 and 2013, and Adam Lewis, who won in the colours of Saint Piran in 2023. Last year saw Jack Hartley take his maiden National B road race win after he broke away with Alex Luhrs and Damien Clayton midway through the race.
Route
Rolling, and narrow in parts, the 18.8km circuit is typical of the region. Close, both geographically, and in nature, to the roads of the CiCLE Classic, the course has a similar feel to the UCI event, albeit missing the distinct taste of dust that was served up last month.
The six and 3 / 4 laps offer the chance for all types of riders to shine, the final climb through the feed zone the ideal launchpad for an attack. With the finish line coming 1.6km later and on a flat run-in, the race dangles a carrot to the pure sprinters, who will be relishing a rare opportunity on UK roads, should a large enough group come to the line together.
With rolling hills punctuating the majority of the course, the north western part of the circuit is pan flat, and, crucially, exposed, opening up the possibility of the race splitting in the south westerly wind, which is expected to increase during the afternoon.
Riders to watch
With a number of Britain’s strongest squads away at the Rás Tailteann, the race is a wide open one, the full field of 60 riders in store for a typically chaotic affair, a number of riders with a real chance to make a name for themselves.
Last year’s winner Jack Hartley (UV Aube) headlines the startlist, looking for a repeat of last year’s triumph where he took the win in a two-up sprint against Alex Luhrs. A fast finisher who should have little difficulty getting over the rolling terrain, Hartley’s main concern will be his lack of support, a number of teams in possession of the numbers to work against him.
Hartley beats Luhrs in 2024. Image: Emma Wilcock
Moonglu Spatzwear bring four riders capable of such an act, led by Jonny Britton and Ben Pease, both experienced hands at this level. Britton will have already raced once over weekend, due to take the start north of the border at the Andrew Matheson Memorial on Saturday, the rouleur quietly coming into form with a 5th place at the Wheldrake 200, a race where Pease sprinted to 2nd place. The time trialist showed excellent tactical nous when winning the Ronde van Wymeswold last year and has the engine to make the race very dific6ult for riders from opposing teams.
Lacking experience but full of enthusiasm are BCC RT, who enter four riders for the race and have one on the reserve list. They raced well as a unit to deliver Toby Bush to third place at the Timmy James Memorial at the start of the month, and Lewis Tinsley could be the rider who delivers a similar result here. Tinsley made an impression at the Dudley GP two years ago as a first year junior and now a first year U23 is in search of a breakthrough result having finished both National Road Series races so far this season.
There isn’t a rider faster in a sprint than Frank Longstaff (DAS-Richardsons), the question mark hanging over the Colchester rider is whether he can survive the climbs to utilise his fast finish. After succumbing to a mechanical at the Lincoln GP where he was well positioned, Longstaff’s form appears to be improving and as a favourite for the DAP CC road race the day before, Longstaff could arrive full of confidence and a difficult man to beat. His teammate Alex Pritchard continues his comeback after a period of illness, the time trial specialist not at the Rás where he won a stage last year. His form is unknown, although the former road bike ten mile time trial competition record holder’s reputation alone makes him a dangerous rider to let up the road, either alone or as part of a small group.
Dark horses are plentiful in a race which is difficult to call, Cameron Still (Ride Revolution Coaching) among that number. Finishing in the top 20 at Lincoln was a fine result for the U23 rider, who underlined his potential, particularly at National B level, with a top 5 in the PNE South and South West Regional Championships last month. Oliver Curd (Primo RT) can be placed in the same category. Although he has shown little since finishing second to Adam Howell at the early season Kennell Hill Classic, it was an incredibly impressive result amongst what is quickly becoming esteemed company, Howell currently leading the National Road Series.
Two of the race’s potential winners find themselves on the reserves list. Andrew Nichols (Team Lifting Gear Products) may be best known for his hill climb prowess, but the lightweight climber has some very impressive results in flatter races, including sprinting to 3rd in the Wheldrake 200 last weekend, form he has carried since April with top tens in the Danum Trophy and Timmy James Memorial. A rider who has finished in the top ten of the Lincoln GP before, Nichols is a rider few will be willing to let up the road on Sunday.
Samuel Nisbet (Reflex Nopinz) has been a model of consistency in 2025, barely finishing outside the top ten. The Jerseyman started the season well at the Portsdown Classic before finishing 2nd to Alex Beldon at the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race, the opening round of the U23 National Road Series. Nisbet hasn’t finished a race since the Totnes Vire stage race in early April however, leaving a question mark hanging over his form coming into a weekend where he is also down to race the DAP CC road race.
One of the longest-standing road races on the calendar rounds off a bumper bank holiday weekend of National B action on Monday afternoon (26 May), the roads to the south of the historic market town of Grantham playing host to the GA Bennett Road Race.
What is it?
Promoted by Grantham’s Witham Wheelers, the 133km race rolls out of Grantham Cricket Club at 1.15pm, preceded by a Regional B support race in the morning.
First held in 1962, the historic race has a prestigious list of winners, featuring Graham Briggs, twice a victor in 2002 and 2013, and Adam Lewis, who won in the colours of Saint Piran in 2023. Last year saw Jack Hartley take his maiden National B road race win after he broke away with Alex Luhrs and Damien Clayton midway through the race.
Route
Rolling, and narrow in parts, the 18.8km circuit is typical of the region. Close, both geographically, and in nature, to the roads of the CiCLE Classic, the course has a similar feel to the UCI event, albeit missing the distinct taste of dust that was served up last month.
The six and 3 / 4 laps offer the chance for all types of riders to shine, the final climb through the feed zone the ideal launchpad for an attack. With the finish line coming 1.6km later and on a flat run-in, the race dangles a carrot to the pure sprinters, who will be relishing a rare opportunity on UK roads, should a large enough group come to the line together.
With rolling hills punctuating the majority of the course, the north western part of the circuit is pan flat, and, crucially, exposed, opening up the possibility of the race splitting in the south westerly wind, which is expected to increase during the afternoon.
Riders to watch
With a number of Britain’s strongest squads away at the Rás Tailteann, the race is a wide open one, the full field of 60 riders in store for a typically chaotic affair, a number of riders with a real chance to make a name for themselves.
Last year’s winner Jack Hartley (UV Aube) headlines the startlist, looking for a repeat of last year’s triumph where he took the win in a two-up sprint against Alex Luhrs. A fast finisher who should have little difficulty getting over the rolling terrain, Hartley’s main concern will be his lack of support, a number of teams in possession of the numbers to work against him.
Moonglu Spatzwear bring four riders capable of such an act, led by Jonny Britton and Ben Pease, both experienced hands at this level. Britton will have already raced once over weekend, due to take the start north of the border at the Andrew Matheson Memorial on Saturday, the rouleur quietly coming into form with a 5th place at the Wheldrake 200, a race where Pease sprinted to 2nd place. The time trialist showed excellent tactical nous when winning the Ronde van Wymeswold last year and has the engine to make the race very dific6ult for riders from opposing teams.
Lacking experience but full of enthusiasm are BCC RT, who enter four riders for the race and have one on the reserve list. They raced well as a unit to deliver Toby Bush to third place at the Timmy James Memorial at the start of the month, and Lewis Tinsley could be the rider who delivers a similar result here. Tinsley made an impression at the Dudley GP two years ago as a first year junior and now a first year U23 is in search of a breakthrough result having finished both National Road Series races so far this season.
There isn’t a rider faster in a sprint than Frank Longstaff (DAS-Richardsons), the question mark hanging over the Colchester rider is whether he can survive the climbs to utilise his fast finish. After succumbing to a mechanical at the Lincoln GP where he was well positioned, Longstaff’s form appears to be improving and as a favourite for the DAP CC road race the day before, Longstaff could arrive full of confidence and a difficult man to beat. His teammate Alex Pritchard continues his comeback after a period of illness, the time trial specialist not at the Rás where he won a stage last year. His form is unknown, although the former road bike ten mile time trial competition record holder’s reputation alone makes him a dangerous rider to let up the road, either alone or as part of a small group.
Dark horses are plentiful in a race which is difficult to call, Cameron Still (Ride Revolution Coaching) among that number. Finishing in the top 20 at Lincoln was a fine result for the U23 rider, who underlined his potential, particularly at National B level, with a top 5 in the PNE South and South West Regional Championships last month. Oliver Curd (Primo RT) can be placed in the same category. Although he has shown little since finishing second to Adam Howell at the early season Kennell Hill Classic, it was an incredibly impressive result amongst what is quickly becoming esteemed company, Howell currently leading the National Road Series.
Two of the race’s potential winners find themselves on the reserves list. Andrew Nichols (Team Lifting Gear Products) may be best known for his hill climb prowess, but the lightweight climber has some very impressive results in flatter races, including sprinting to 3rd in the Wheldrake 200 last weekend, form he has carried since April with top tens in the Danum Trophy and Timmy James Memorial. A rider who has finished in the top ten of the Lincoln GP before, Nichols is a rider few will be willing to let up the road on Sunday.
Samuel Nisbet (Reflex Nopinz) has been a model of consistency in 2025, barely finishing outside the top ten. The Jerseyman started the season well at the Portsdown Classic before finishing 2nd to Alex Beldon at the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race, the opening round of the U23 National Road Series. Nisbet hasn’t finished a race since the Totnes Vire stage race in early April however, leaving a question mark hanging over his form coming into a weekend where he is also down to race the DAP CC road race.
Provisional startlist
Featured image: Emma Wilcock
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