2025 Halesowen Academy Road Race: preview and startlist
The National U23 Open Road Series continues this weekend (Sunday 8 June), with Round 2 taking to the fast, wide roads of the River Severn flood plains at Welland, before a sting in the tail in the form of an uphill finish up the side of the Malvern Hills. Here we dive into the course, the competitors and how the race may shape up.
The National U23 Open Road Series continues this weekend (Sunday 8 June), with Round 2 taking to the fast, wide roads of the River Severn flood plains at Welland, before a sting in the tail in the form of an uphill finish up the side of the Malvern Hills. Here we dive into the course, the competitors and how the race may shape up.
Featured image: Joe Hudson
What is it?
The Halesowen Academy U23 RR is the second round of three in the Open series. Previously an early season Regional A in rural Shropshire, the Halesowen Academy moves its race east to Worcestershire and steps up to become a new race in the U23 series.
In the first round of the series at the PB Performance Espoirs RR, Alex Beldon of Muc-Off- SRCT- Storck won from a group of 5 that escaped late in a brutal, attritional race that was decimated by the wind, beating Samuel Nisbet (Reflex-NoPinz) and Alex Franks (Raptor Factory Racing)
Route
The Welland course sits in the shadows of the Malvern hills, with long, wide, straight roads between Tewkesbury, Upton-upon-Severn and Welland. At 25.81km, it is one of the longer circuits, and while it is mainly flat, there are a few gentle drags or shorter kickers. However, should it be windy, various exposed sections of road, such as Castlemorton Common and the road leading into Upton-upon-Severn, could once again be a deciding factor, as was the case in Round 1.
However, the off-course finish up the Hollybush climb provides an interesting twist. At 1.3km, it is no summit finish, nor is it the steepest climb, but it is nonetheless a different challenge in comparison to what the rest of the race brings.
Riders to watch
As strictly U23 races, the series allows the next generation a chance to shine against their peers and brings together a pool of talent from across the country.
The name that draws the most attention is Adam Howell of Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck. Winner of the Community Traffic Management East Cleveland GP, victor of the Kennel Hill Classic, and second overall at the Peaks 2-Day after winning stage 1, the Open National Road Series leader is fresh off winning a stage and the youth classification in the Tour of the Manche, a fiercely contested stage race in Northern France. One of the riders of the season domestically, he is a firm favourite.
Adam Howell (MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK). Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
In the absence of Round 1 winner Alex Beldon (Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck), Samuel Nisbet (Reflex Nopinz) is the highest-placed rider in the Series. Following his podium in Round 1 behind a rampant Beldon, he was 5th overall in the Totnes-Vire stage race in Devon, and will be looking to strengthen his hopes for the Series victory with a strong ride here.
Maxwell Hereward (360 Cycling), 4th in round 1, comes into the U23 series off the back of a busy May on the continent. Eschborn-Frankfurt and Ronde de l’Isard are some of the top U23 races in Europe, with 22nd on Stage 2 of Ronde de l’Isard showcasing his qualities as he climbed with some of the best U23s in the world.
Newly crowned Welsh Champion William Salter of BCC Race Team is a rider with pedigree, as he took his maiden Nat B win to take the red, white and green jersey from under the nose of none other than Ed Morgan, who tops The British Continental road race rankings. A member of the GB track squad, he will back himself from a group of any size. He will have an in-form Lewis Tinsley as a wing-man, coming off 5th in the GA Bennett Road Race.
Henry Hunter (left) and Dexter Leeming-Sykes (centre). Image: Joe Hudson
Dexter Leeming-Sykes (Wheelbase-Cabtech-Castelli) is another rider fresh off a Regional Championships win, narrowly beating Henry Hunter (Kendal Cycling Club) to the win in the Northwest, Northeast and Yorkshire Championships. Hunter could be a dark horse, having finished 13th at the Community Traffic Management East Cleveland GP.
Piers Mahn (Halesowen Academy) would be a popular winner amongst those affiliated to the race. 2nd in Totnes Vire Overall, and two 9th places at Chitterne RR and BUCS RR Championships, the local favourite is no stranger to a long-range breakaway, and his engine is suited to the fast, attritional racing that is systemic to the style of Nat B racing.
Late addition to the start list Tom Williams brings a continental quality to the field, riding for Romanian UCI team Monzon-Incolor-Gub, last year’s Ryedale GP winner is fresh off returning to winning ways at the London Dynamo RR last weekend. He is also technically the defending champion, having won the Halesowen Academy RR under its previous guise in March 2024. A strong all-rounder with an eye for a breakaway, and a fast finish to round it off, the fast, flowing roads and dragging uphill finish should favour him.
The National U23 Open Road Series continues this weekend (Sunday 8 June), with Round 2 taking to the fast, wide roads of the River Severn flood plains at Welland, before a sting in the tail in the form of an uphill finish up the side of the Malvern Hills. Here we dive into the course, the competitors and how the race may shape up.
Featured image: Joe Hudson
What is it?
The Halesowen Academy U23 RR is the second round of three in the Open series. Previously an early season Regional A in rural Shropshire, the Halesowen Academy moves its race east to Worcestershire and steps up to become a new race in the U23 series.
In the first round of the series at the PB Performance Espoirs RR, Alex Beldon of Muc-Off- SRCT- Storck won from a group of 5 that escaped late in a brutal, attritional race that was decimated by the wind, beating Samuel Nisbet (Reflex-NoPinz) and Alex Franks (Raptor Factory Racing)
Route
The Welland course sits in the shadows of the Malvern hills, with long, wide, straight roads between Tewkesbury, Upton-upon-Severn and Welland. At 25.81km, it is one of the longer circuits, and while it is mainly flat, there are a few gentle drags or shorter kickers. However, should it be windy, various exposed sections of road, such as Castlemorton Common and the road leading into Upton-upon-Severn, could once again be a deciding factor, as was the case in Round 1.
However, the off-course finish up the Hollybush climb provides an interesting twist. At 1.3km, it is no summit finish, nor is it the steepest climb, but it is nonetheless a different challenge in comparison to what the rest of the race brings.
Riders to watch
As strictly U23 races, the series allows the next generation a chance to shine against their peers and brings together a pool of talent from across the country.
The name that draws the most attention is Adam Howell of Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck. Winner of the Community Traffic Management East Cleveland GP, victor of the Kennel Hill Classic, and second overall at the Peaks 2-Day after winning stage 1, the Open National Road Series leader is fresh off winning a stage and the youth classification in the Tour of the Manche, a fiercely contested stage race in Northern France. One of the riders of the season domestically, he is a firm favourite.
In the absence of Round 1 winner Alex Beldon (Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck), Samuel Nisbet (Reflex Nopinz) is the highest-placed rider in the Series. Following his podium in Round 1 behind a rampant Beldon, he was 5th overall in the Totnes-Vire stage race in Devon, and will be looking to strengthen his hopes for the Series victory with a strong ride here.
Maxwell Hereward (360 Cycling), 4th in round 1, comes into the U23 series off the back of a busy May on the continent. Eschborn-Frankfurt and Ronde de l’Isard are some of the top U23 races in Europe, with 22nd on Stage 2 of Ronde de l’Isard showcasing his qualities as he climbed with some of the best U23s in the world.
Newly crowned Welsh Champion William Salter of BCC Race Team is a rider with pedigree, as he took his maiden Nat B win to take the red, white and green jersey from under the nose of none other than Ed Morgan, who tops The British Continental road race rankings. A member of the GB track squad, he will back himself from a group of any size. He will have an in-form Lewis Tinsley as a wing-man, coming off 5th in the GA Bennett Road Race.
Dexter Leeming-Sykes (Wheelbase-Cabtech-Castelli) is another rider fresh off a Regional Championships win, narrowly beating Henry Hunter (Kendal Cycling Club) to the win in the Northwest, Northeast and Yorkshire Championships. Hunter could be a dark horse, having finished 13th at the Community Traffic Management East Cleveland GP.
Piers Mahn (Halesowen Academy) would be a popular winner amongst those affiliated to the race. 2nd in Totnes Vire Overall, and two 9th places at Chitterne RR and BUCS RR Championships, the local favourite is no stranger to a long-range breakaway, and his engine is suited to the fast, attritional racing that is systemic to the style of Nat B racing.
Late addition to the start list Tom Williams brings a continental quality to the field, riding for Romanian UCI team Monzon-Incolor-Gub, last year’s Ryedale GP winner is fresh off returning to winning ways at the London Dynamo RR last weekend. He is also technically the defending champion, having won the Halesowen Academy RR under its previous guise in March 2024. A strong all-rounder with an eye for a breakaway, and a fast finish to round it off, the fast, flowing roads and dragging uphill finish should favour him.
#11Alex BeldonMUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK256Share this:
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