2025 GIANT TUGBY Ronde van Wymeswold: preview and startlists
One of Britain’s newest stage races is already a fixture: the two-day, three-stage GIANT Tugby Ronde van Wymeswold returns this weekend (14-15 June) as Round 2 of the Rapha Super-League, just two weeks before the National Road Championships.
One of Britain’s newest stage races is already a fixture: the two-day, three-stage GIANT Tugby Ronde van Wymeswold returns this weekend (14-15 June) as Round 2 of the Rapha Super-League, just two weeks before the National Road Championships. That timing makes every Super-League point and every time gap priceless, whether it’s carved out on Saturday’s road race, the road-bike-only time trial, or Sunday’s wind-split Harby Hill slug-fest. Add Giant leader’s jerseys, Rapha’s roadside vibes and Yomp Bonk Crew’s grassroots flair and you get a weekend that has rocketed from debut curiosity to essential form-finder for Britain’s top talent.
The GIANT Tugby Ronde van Wymeswold is Britain’s newest slice of tour-style racing: a two-day, three-stage National B contest on 14–15 June 2025 that pitches separate women’s and open fields across two road races and a stripped-back, road-bike-only time trial in the Vale of Belvoir. It is only the second edition yet last year’s debut quickly earned a glowing reputation for slick logistics and grassroots atmosphere.
Leader and points jerseys courtesy of title sponsor Giant Tugby, a healthy prize purse, Rapha on hand with cowbells, music and good vibes, plus the Yomp Bonk Crew’s trademark DIY verve round out a weekend that already punches far above its weight.
How to follow
The British Continental will be covering the race on Instagram and through our live ticker. Follow the ticker for the three Women’s stages here, the Open race will be updated across the weekend on the ticker here.
Centred around the villages of Willoughby on the Wolds and Widmerpool, Saturday’s action is to be played out on a near identical course to last year’s day one circuit.
The open and women’s fields will do battle in their respective road races around the course, the women covering 67km, taking on the course 8 times, the open race covering 105km in 12 laps.
Robyn Clay proved victorious twelve months ago, outpowering Lotty Dawson and Lucy Harris in a reduced bunch sprint, while Seb Garry won from the break in a downpour. The short course offers multiple chances to attack: multiple ascents of the long, gradual climb to the finish line, featuring an uneven gradient, the perfect place to claim an advantage.
Women’s race – Stage 2 time trial
The day closes with a road bike only time trial for the women’s race, using most of the circuit used on Stage 1 with different starting and finishing points.
Containing only three left turns, riders face a flat out test of power and speed over 7.6km.
Day 2
Open race – Stage 2 time trial
Day two begins with a 9.7km road bike time trial for the open race, using part of the Hose circuit that will be used for Stage 3 later in the day.
Women’s race Stage 3 / Open race – Stage 3
The Hose circuit is a compact rectangle carved into the open farmland of the Vale of Belvoir, distinguished by two natural selection points: the exposed, hedge-low Waltham Lane cross-wind section and the 1.2 km Harby Hill, a stair-step ascent that ramps to 11 percent before tipping onto a false-flat run-in to the line. Each lap is 14.6 km, and the terrain never settles.
The course rewards aggression: split early in the wind, force the issue on the climb, and hold a handful of seconds across the final rise; conversely, hesitation all but guarantees a reduced-group sprint where power-climbers with a kick thrive.
The women will test themselves over six laps (87 km), while the open race extends to eight laps (117 km) – enough to tackle Harby Hill half a dozen or eight times respectively. That repetition turns a modest profile into a war of attrition, especially at the end of a stage race. With bonus seconds offered atop the marquee ascent and on the line, expect fireworks: echelons on the valley road, counter-punches over the crest, and last-lap solo bids dangling agonisingly within sight of the finish banners outside Long Clawson.
How it works
General classification
Fastest cumulative time after all three stages wins. A leader’s jersey, supplied by GIANT Tugby, is presented after every stage (riders don’t wear it during the stage 2 time trial, but it changes hands on the results sheet all the same). The overall winner also collects a handmade trophy by local artist Daniel Aduakwa.
Points competition
Every intermediate sprint on the two road-race stages pays race points and bonus seconds:
Place
Points
Time bonus
1st
5 pts
-3″
2nd
3 pts
-2″
3rd
2 pts
-1″
4th
1 pt
–
The running tally decides the points jersey – also GIANT Tugby-branded – which is awarded (and worn) after each stage.
Stage
Women’s laps
Open laps
1 – Widmerpool
2, 4, 6
3, 6, 9
2 – ITT
–
–
3 – Hose circuit
1, 3, 5
1, 3, 6
Other prizes
Alongside the main classifications the organisers hand out:
Team prizes – £100 for the best three-up aggregate in both Open and Women’s races.
Best local rider (East Midlands licence).
Best under-23 rider.
Lanterne Rouge – the final finisher takes home a pair of Zwift Play controllers.
All told, the prize purse totals £2,210, with GC, points and stage winners all paid.
Riders to watch
Women’s race
Having burst onto the scene with a remarkable solo victory at the Florrie Newbery Classic in April, Noémie Thomson is tackling her first ever stage race. Ensconced in the colours of Brother UK – On Form, Thomson will be looking to carry on a remarkable string of results which includes a pair of wins in the East London Velo Spring Crits series, a triumph at the London Dynamo Road Race and sixth at her first Nat A – the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix.
Noémie Thomson. Image: Mark James
Isabella Johnson (Jadan Vive le Velo) was runner-up to Thomson at the Florrie Newbery Classic, Johnson has shown impressive consistency. She recently notched a top-ten finish with ninth at the Owen Blower Memorial road race, backing up her early-season podium. Notably, Johnson also made her mark in last year’s Wymeswold race with a fourth place on Stage Two, underlining her ability to fight for the podium in stage races.
A rising talent from the London Academy squad, Lily Martin signalled her potential with a strong second place at the Banbury Star Women’s Road Race in May, beaten only by serial winner Sophie Holmes (CJ O’Shea Racing). This breakout result in a Nat B shows that the U23 Martin can mix it with the best. She’ll be eager to carry that momentum into Wymeswold and capitalise on her good form.
Martin’s teammate Grace Sargeant kicked off her season with an eye-catching result, taking second at the hilly Capernwray Road Race in early April behind Torelli’s Esther Wong. That podium, on a challenging course, showcased her climbing ability and resilience. Though her spring had ups and downs, the London Academy rider has the experience as a senior to seize an opportunity—if the race becomes an attritional battle, Sargeant’s early-season form suggests she could be in the mix.
A consistent all-rounder for Loughborough Lightning, Elena Day brings both speed and climbing prowess. She snagged an impressive silver medal at the BUCS University Road Race Championships in May and placed fifth in the combined East & West Midlands regional championship a week later. Add to that a solid 14th-place finish against elite competition at the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix, and it’s clear why Day is currently ranked in the top ten of The British Continental’s national road rankings.
Georgia Lancaster. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Fresh off a morale-boosting victory at the Owen Blower Memorial road race on June 8 – her first National B win since 2023 – Georgia Lancaster (Loughborough Lighting) has hit form at the perfect time. Earlier in the season she also claimed a podium finish at the North Lincolnshire Women’s Classic (3rd in March). Those results have propelled the Loughborough Lightning rider into 8th overall in the national rankings. With renewed confidence, Lancaster’s fast finish and local knowledge (racing not far from Loughborough) could see her sprinting for another big result.
Phoebe Roche already has a taste for victory this year, having triumphed at the Witham Hall Grand Prix for O’Shea Development Team in early May. Roche has been consistently near the front of the domestic races—she also placed 5th at the Florrie Newbery Classic—showing versatility on different courses.
A former junior standout now thriving in the U23 ranks, Mari Porton (Handsling Alba Development Road Team) is quickly making her mark at the senior level. She secured a third place at the Owen Blower Memorial, which was her first podium in a national-level road race since moving up from juniors. Earlier in the spring she also impressed with a close 4th place at the Witham Hall Grand Prix.
El King. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Despite a quiet start to 2025, Eluned King’s pedigree is undeniable. The Welsh rider – now settled within the Handsling Alba squad – is a Commonwealth Games bronze medalist on the track (earned in the points race at the 2022 Birmingham Games), and last season she proved her road prowess by winning the 2024 edition of the CiCLE Classic—one of Britain’s toughest one-day races.
One of the in-form riders of 2025, Madeline Cooper has strung together a series of top results in recent weeks. The Montezuma’s Eventrex rider clinched victory at both the BUCS University Road Race Championship and the East & West Midlands regional championship, showcasing her dominance in both student and regional competition. She then finished runner-up at the Owen Blower Memorial, only narrowly beaten by Lancaster. These performances have vaulted the 21-year-old to 3rd in The British Continental national road race rankings.
Still a Junior, Arabella Blackburn has already proven she can hold her own against older competition. The Shibden Apex RT rider impressed with a 9th place finish at the gruelling CiCLE Classic in March, an eye-opening result for a teenager in a senior National A race. She’s also got stage race success this season too, taking second on stages two and three on the way to second in the GC at the Witham Hall Junior 2 Day. Throw in top 30s at the Piccolo Trofeo Alfredo Binda and the Clásica de Jaén Nation’s Cup and Blackburn is one to watch.
Arabella Blackburn. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Open race
James McKay is arguably the highest-profile rider on this start list, given his recent results. Just last month, McKay scored a landmark victory by winning the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix this year showcasing his climbing power on the famous Michaelgate cobbles and becoming the inaugural leader of the Rapha Super-League. He also won the Timmy James Memorial Grand Prix in early May, proving he can close out races in a sprint or small group. McKay’s class was on display throughout 2024 as well: he podiumed in the Lancaster Grand Prix (2nd) and the Victor Berlemont Trophy (2nd), and took 3rd in the East Cleveland Classic. In stage racing, he has pedigree too – he won the Totnes Vire 2-Day in 2023 and placed 7th overall in last year’s Ronde van Wymeswold. Given his current red-hot form, McKay will be one of the favourites for the overall win at Wymeswold 2025.
James McKay. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
If McKay is the highest profile rider, then MUC-OFF–SRCT–Storck is the team of the moment, and arrives with three contenders for the overall. Ed Morgan is the current leader of The British Continental national road rankings, and it’s easy to see why. The Welsh rider has been in superb form this season. Notably, Morgan scored a podium in the international Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic, finishing 4th in April – an outstanding result against elite competition that earned him a big haul of ranking points. He won the PNE National B road race in April and took 2nd in the Beicio Cymru (Welsh) Road Race Championships on June 1st. His consistency is remarkable, with additional podiums and top-5s in races like the Danum Trophy (2nd) and Kennel Hill Classic (5th). Importantly, Morgan has history at Wymeswold – he finished 5th overall in last year’s edition, meaning he knows the two-day format well.
Teammate William Truelove is another consistent high performer. He’s a strong all-rounder who has been knocking on the door of big wins. In spring 2025 Truelove notched a 5th place in the East Cleveland Classic and also placed 4th in the Danum Trophy road race. In addition, he’s been a factor in stage races, taking 3rd overall in the Peaks Two-Day in March. He’s coming back to form after being hospitalised following a crash at the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic and will be hoping he begins to hit his stride this weekend, just two weeks out from the National Road Championships. The third Muc-Off threat is Alex Beldon, a standout under-23 talent, who has been turning heads with big results in 2025: he took an impressive 6th place at the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix in May and also finished 11th in the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic. On the National B scene, he’s proven he can win – Beldon won the Danum Trophy road race in April and the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race in March, showcasing a fast finish. This will be his first Ronde van Wymeswold, but given his all round strength, Beldon is a serious threat for both stage wins and the general classification.
Ben Pease (Moonglu SpatzWear) won the 2024 edition of the Ronde van Wymeswold and will be aiming to repeat that success. Pease has shown solid form in recent weeks: he was 2nd in the Wheldrake 200 Road Race in May and 6th in the GA Bennett Road Race – both competitive National B events. He also held his own in the prestigious Lincoln Grand Prix (30th). Jordan Giles (DAS Richardsons) comes into Wymeswold on the back of a strong season so far. He kicked off 2025 in style by winning the Portsdown Classic in February, and followed up with a 4th place at the Evesham Vale Road Race in March. Giles has been consistently gathering points in National B races – for example, a 6th in April’s PNE road race and 10th in the London Dynamo RR (which doubled as a regional championship) on June 1st. He’s also tested himself internationally at the Rás Tailteann stage race in Ireland, finishing with an impressive 8th place overall.
Rowan Baker (Raptor Factory Racing) is another rider to keep a very close eye on. Baker spent last season with Saint Piran. In March, Rowan Baker won the Peaks 2-Day stage race overall after a dominant final stage victory. He broke ribs in May but demonstrated his return to form with a solid ride at the recent Tour of Malopolska, finishing 4th on the final stage. If his aggressive style pays off, he could take a stage and contend for the overall win. Baker’s teammate Dylan Hicks is riding a wave of momentum and enters Wymeswold as one of the highest-ranked riders on The British Continental national road rankings. A former Development Team DSM rider, Hicks has significant talent – and he proved it on an international stage this spring by finishing 3rd in the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic. He also secured a top-10 at the Lincoln Grand Prix and was 5th on stage 2 of the Tour of Malopolska.
Eighth nationally and in flying form, Josh Housley (Primera-TeamJobs) returns to Ronde van Wymeswold aiming squarely at the podium. April brought victory at Capernwray, 2nd at the PNE Road Race and 7th in the East Cleveland Classic. Sixth overall here in ’24 (with a Stage 1 runner-up), he is a genuine contender. Jamie Whitcher (Bournemouth Cycleworks–VitecFire–Ford CE) brings stage-race savvy: overall winner at the Tour of the North West and 2nd at the Sherpa Two-Day last year. 2025 began with 3rd at Chitterne and 2nd at the Royal Navy Cup and has since included a run of excellent international results, including second overall at the Rás Mumhan and 2nd at the GP Rentabel – Oordegem kermesse.
Matt LImage: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Matthew King (Atom 6–Decca) is a UCI Continental team rider whose 2024 Rapha Lincoln GP podium reminded everyone how dangerous he is on tough circuits. He’s already chalked up a top-20 in the UCI Rutland-Melton classic, 13th in the Timmy James GP and 12th at the Trofee Maarten Wynants this year, signalling form is bubbling.
Danylo Riwnyj (Foran Cycling Team) has been Mr. Consistency on the National B scene: 2nd at the London Dynamo regional championship and third-place finishes at both the Andrews Trophy and PNE RR head a string of spring podiums. Comfortable on climbs and quick in a kick, he’s the archetypal all-rounder – ideal traits for a Wymeswold podium push. Callum Laborde (Ornata Factory Racing) sits 10th in the tenth in The British Continental national road rankings thanks to near-metronomic top-five finishes – 2nd in the Derek Lusher Champs, fifths at Timmy James, Andrews Trophy and DAP CC RR, plus a Kennel Hill Classic podium. Still under-23, he carries both a stinging sprint and stamina proven by last year’s 6th in the National Road Series Lancaster Grand Prix.
Clay Davies (Ride Revolution Coaching) blends veteran craft with raw engine power. His solo win at the Andrews Trophy and a top-five at the Jock Wadley Memorial add to a 2024 résumé that sparkled.
Dan Barnes. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Race organisers Yomp Bonk Crew has put together its own composite team to tackle Wymeswold in the spirit of giving a chance to young Brits. In the quartet is Ollie Hurdle – third a few weeks ago at the DAP CC Road Race and fourth at last year’s race – and Toby Bartlett, who will be relishing the kermesse-style opening stage. Also joining HUUB Yomp Bonk Crew is Ollie Peckover – a time trialist awaiting the chance to attack on Stage Two – and erstwhile Spectra Racing rider Dan Barnes, a rider much more familiar to fans of the muddy cyclocross scene.
One of Britain’s newest stage races is already a fixture: the two-day, three-stage GIANT Tugby Ronde van Wymeswold returns this weekend (14-15 June) as Round 2 of the Rapha Super-League, just two weeks before the National Road Championships. That timing makes every Super-League point and every time gap priceless, whether it’s carved out on Saturday’s road race, the road-bike-only time trial, or Sunday’s wind-split Harby Hill slug-fest. Add Giant leader’s jerseys, Rapha’s roadside vibes and Yomp Bonk Crew’s grassroots flair and you get a weekend that has rocketed from debut curiosity to essential form-finder for Britain’s top talent.
This is our preview.
Featured image: Emma Wilcock
What is it?
The GIANT Tugby Ronde van Wymeswold is Britain’s newest slice of tour-style racing: a two-day, three-stage National B contest on 14–15 June 2025 that pitches separate women’s and open fields across two road races and a stripped-back, road-bike-only time trial in the Vale of Belvoir. It is only the second edition yet last year’s debut quickly earned a glowing reputation for slick logistics and grassroots atmosphere.
For 2025 the race steps up again as Round 2 of the new Rapha Super-League, the series’ sole stage race, meaning every stage win carries crucial Super-League points. The women’s race simultaneously counts as Round 3 of the British Women’s Team Cup.
Leader and points jerseys courtesy of title sponsor Giant Tugby, a healthy prize purse, Rapha on hand with cowbells, music and good vibes, plus the Yomp Bonk Crew’s trademark DIY verve round out a weekend that already punches far above its weight.
How to follow
The British Continental will be covering the race on Instagram and through our live ticker. Follow the ticker for the three Women’s stages here, the Open race will be updated across the weekend on the ticker here.
Extra content can also be found on the Rapha, Uon Cycling and Yomp Bonk Crew Instagram pages.
Schedule
Saturday 15 June
Sunday 16 June
The stages
Day 1
Women’s race – Stage 1 / Open race – Stage 1
Centred around the villages of Willoughby on the Wolds and Widmerpool, Saturday’s action is to be played out on a near identical course to last year’s day one circuit.
The open and women’s fields will do battle in their respective road races around the course, the women covering 67km, taking on the course 8 times, the open race covering 105km in 12 laps.
Robyn Clay proved victorious twelve months ago, outpowering Lotty Dawson and Lucy Harris in a reduced bunch sprint, while Seb Garry won from the break in a downpour. The short course offers multiple chances to attack: multiple ascents of the long, gradual climb to the finish line, featuring an uneven gradient, the perfect place to claim an advantage.
Women’s race – Stage 2 time trial
The day closes with a road bike only time trial for the women’s race, using most of the circuit used on Stage 1 with different starting and finishing points.
Containing only three left turns, riders face a flat out test of power and speed over 7.6km.
Day 2
Open race – Stage 2 time trial
Day two begins with a 9.7km road bike time trial for the open race, using part of the Hose circuit that will be used for Stage 3 later in the day.
Women’s race Stage 3 / Open race – Stage 3
The Hose circuit is a compact rectangle carved into the open farmland of the Vale of Belvoir, distinguished by two natural selection points: the exposed, hedge-low Waltham Lane cross-wind section and the 1.2 km Harby Hill, a stair-step ascent that ramps to 11 percent before tipping onto a false-flat run-in to the line. Each lap is 14.6 km, and the terrain never settles.
The course rewards aggression: split early in the wind, force the issue on the climb, and hold a handful of seconds across the final rise; conversely, hesitation all but guarantees a reduced-group sprint where power-climbers with a kick thrive.
The women will test themselves over six laps (87 km), while the open race extends to eight laps (117 km) – enough to tackle Harby Hill half a dozen or eight times respectively. That repetition turns a modest profile into a war of attrition, especially at the end of a stage race. With bonus seconds offered atop the marquee ascent and on the line, expect fireworks: echelons on the valley road, counter-punches over the crest, and last-lap solo bids dangling agonisingly within sight of the finish banners outside Long Clawson.
How it works
General classification
Fastest cumulative time after all three stages wins. A leader’s jersey, supplied by GIANT Tugby, is presented after every stage (riders don’t wear it during the stage 2 time trial, but it changes hands on the results sheet all the same). The overall winner also collects a handmade trophy by local artist Daniel Aduakwa.
Points competition
Every intermediate sprint on the two road-race stages pays race points and bonus seconds:
The running tally decides the points jersey – also GIANT Tugby-branded – which is awarded (and worn) after each stage.
Other prizes
Alongside the main classifications the organisers hand out:
All told, the prize purse totals £2,210, with GC, points and stage winners all paid.
Riders to watch
Women’s race
Having burst onto the scene with a remarkable solo victory at the Florrie Newbery Classic in April, Noémie Thomson is tackling her first ever stage race. Ensconced in the colours of Brother UK – On Form, Thomson will be looking to carry on a remarkable string of results which includes a pair of wins in the East London Velo Spring Crits series, a triumph at the London Dynamo Road Race and sixth at her first Nat A – the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix.
Isabella Johnson (Jadan Vive le Velo) was runner-up to Thomson at the Florrie Newbery Classic, Johnson has shown impressive consistency. She recently notched a top-ten finish with ninth at the Owen Blower Memorial road race, backing up her early-season podium. Notably, Johnson also made her mark in last year’s Wymeswold race with a fourth place on Stage Two, underlining her ability to fight for the podium in stage races.
A rising talent from the London Academy squad, Lily Martin signalled her potential with a strong second place at the Banbury Star Women’s Road Race in May, beaten only by serial winner Sophie Holmes (CJ O’Shea Racing). This breakout result in a Nat B shows that the U23 Martin can mix it with the best. She’ll be eager to carry that momentum into Wymeswold and capitalise on her good form.
Martin’s teammate Grace Sargeant kicked off her season with an eye-catching result, taking second at the hilly Capernwray Road Race in early April behind Torelli’s Esther Wong. That podium, on a challenging course, showcased her climbing ability and resilience. Though her spring had ups and downs, the London Academy rider has the experience as a senior to seize an opportunity—if the race becomes an attritional battle, Sargeant’s early-season form suggests she could be in the mix.
A consistent all-rounder for Loughborough Lightning, Elena Day brings both speed and climbing prowess. She snagged an impressive silver medal at the BUCS University Road Race Championships in May and placed fifth in the combined East & West Midlands regional championship a week later. Add to that a solid 14th-place finish against elite competition at the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix, and it’s clear why Day is currently ranked in the top ten of The British Continental’s national road rankings.
Fresh off a morale-boosting victory at the Owen Blower Memorial road race on June 8 – her first National B win since 2023 – Georgia Lancaster (Loughborough Lighting) has hit form at the perfect time. Earlier in the season she also claimed a podium finish at the North Lincolnshire Women’s Classic (3rd in March). Those results have propelled the Loughborough Lightning rider into 8th overall in the national rankings. With renewed confidence, Lancaster’s fast finish and local knowledge (racing not far from Loughborough) could see her sprinting for another big result.
Phoebe Roche already has a taste for victory this year, having triumphed at the Witham Hall Grand Prix for O’Shea Development Team in early May. Roche has been consistently near the front of the domestic races—she also placed 5th at the Florrie Newbery Classic—showing versatility on different courses.
A former junior standout now thriving in the U23 ranks, Mari Porton (Handsling Alba Development Road Team) is quickly making her mark at the senior level. She secured a third place at the Owen Blower Memorial, which was her first podium in a national-level road race since moving up from juniors. Earlier in the spring she also impressed with a close 4th place at the Witham Hall Grand Prix.
Despite a quiet start to 2025, Eluned King’s pedigree is undeniable. The Welsh rider – now settled within the Handsling Alba squad – is a Commonwealth Games bronze medalist on the track (earned in the points race at the 2022 Birmingham Games), and last season she proved her road prowess by winning the 2024 edition of the CiCLE Classic—one of Britain’s toughest one-day races.
One of the in-form riders of 2025, Madeline Cooper has strung together a series of top results in recent weeks. The Montezuma’s Eventrex rider clinched victory at both the BUCS University Road Race Championship and the East & West Midlands regional championship, showcasing her dominance in both student and regional competition. She then finished runner-up at the Owen Blower Memorial, only narrowly beaten by Lancaster. These performances have vaulted the 21-year-old to 3rd in The British Continental national road race rankings.
Still a Junior, Arabella Blackburn has already proven she can hold her own against older competition. The Shibden Apex RT rider impressed with a 9th place finish at the gruelling CiCLE Classic in March, an eye-opening result for a teenager in a senior National A race. She’s also got stage race success this season too, taking second on stages two and three on the way to second in the GC at the Witham Hall Junior 2 Day. Throw in top 30s at the Piccolo Trofeo Alfredo Binda and the Clásica de Jaén Nation’s Cup and Blackburn is one to watch.
Open race
James McKay is arguably the highest-profile rider on this start list, given his recent results. Just last month, McKay scored a landmark victory by winning the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix this year showcasing his climbing power on the famous Michaelgate cobbles and becoming the inaugural leader of the Rapha Super-League. He also won the Timmy James Memorial Grand Prix in early May, proving he can close out races in a sprint or small group. McKay’s class was on display throughout 2024 as well: he podiumed in the Lancaster Grand Prix (2nd) and the Victor Berlemont Trophy (2nd), and took 3rd in the East Cleveland Classic. In stage racing, he has pedigree too – he won the Totnes Vire 2-Day in 2023 and placed 7th overall in last year’s Ronde van Wymeswold. Given his current red-hot form, McKay will be one of the favourites for the overall win at Wymeswold 2025.
If McKay is the highest profile rider, then MUC-OFF–SRCT–Storck is the team of the moment, and arrives with three contenders for the overall. Ed Morgan is the current leader of The British Continental national road rankings, and it’s easy to see why. The Welsh rider has been in superb form this season. Notably, Morgan scored a podium in the international Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic, finishing 4th in April – an outstanding result against elite competition that earned him a big haul of ranking points. He won the PNE National B road race in April and took 2nd in the Beicio Cymru (Welsh) Road Race Championships on June 1st. His consistency is remarkable, with additional podiums and top-5s in races like the Danum Trophy (2nd) and Kennel Hill Classic (5th). Importantly, Morgan has history at Wymeswold – he finished 5th overall in last year’s edition, meaning he knows the two-day format well.
Teammate William Truelove is another consistent high performer. He’s a strong all-rounder who has been knocking on the door of big wins. In spring 2025 Truelove notched a 5th place in the East Cleveland Classic and also placed 4th in the Danum Trophy road race. In addition, he’s been a factor in stage races, taking 3rd overall in the Peaks Two-Day in March. He’s coming back to form after being hospitalised following a crash at the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic and will be hoping he begins to hit his stride this weekend, just two weeks out from the National Road Championships. The third Muc-Off threat is Alex Beldon, a standout under-23 talent, who has been turning heads with big results in 2025: he took an impressive 6th place at the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix in May and also finished 11th in the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic. On the National B scene, he’s proven he can win – Beldon won the Danum Trophy road race in April and the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race in March, showcasing a fast finish. This will be his first Ronde van Wymeswold, but given his all round strength, Beldon is a serious threat for both stage wins and the general classification.
Ben Pease (Moonglu SpatzWear) won the 2024 edition of the Ronde van Wymeswold and will be aiming to repeat that success. Pease has shown solid form in recent weeks: he was 2nd in the Wheldrake 200 Road Race in May and 6th in the GA Bennett Road Race – both competitive National B events. He also held his own in the prestigious Lincoln Grand Prix (30th). Jordan Giles (DAS Richardsons) comes into Wymeswold on the back of a strong season so far. He kicked off 2025 in style by winning the Portsdown Classic in February, and followed up with a 4th place at the Evesham Vale Road Race in March. Giles has been consistently gathering points in National B races – for example, a 6th in April’s PNE road race and 10th in the London Dynamo RR (which doubled as a regional championship) on June 1st. He’s also tested himself internationally at the Rás Tailteann stage race in Ireland, finishing with an impressive 8th place overall.
Rowan Baker (Raptor Factory Racing) is another rider to keep a very close eye on. Baker spent last season with Saint Piran. In March, Rowan Baker won the Peaks 2-Day stage race overall after a dominant final stage victory. He broke ribs in May but demonstrated his return to form with a solid ride at the recent Tour of Malopolska, finishing 4th on the final stage. If his aggressive style pays off, he could take a stage and contend for the overall win. Baker’s teammate Dylan Hicks is riding a wave of momentum and enters Wymeswold as one of the highest-ranked riders on The British Continental national road rankings. A former Development Team DSM rider, Hicks has significant talent – and he proved it on an international stage this spring by finishing 3rd in the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic. He also secured a top-10 at the Lincoln Grand Prix and was 5th on stage 2 of the Tour of Malopolska.
Eighth nationally and in flying form, Josh Housley (Primera-TeamJobs) returns to Ronde van Wymeswold aiming squarely at the podium. April brought victory at Capernwray, 2nd at the PNE Road Race and 7th in the East Cleveland Classic. Sixth overall here in ’24 (with a Stage 1 runner-up), he is a genuine contender. Jamie Whitcher (Bournemouth Cycleworks–VitecFire–Ford CE) brings stage-race savvy: overall winner at the Tour of the North West and 2nd at the Sherpa Two-Day last year. 2025 began with 3rd at Chitterne and 2nd at the Royal Navy Cup and has since included a run of excellent international results, including second overall at the Rás Mumhan and 2nd at the GP Rentabel – Oordegem kermesse.
Matthew King (Atom 6–Decca) is a UCI Continental team rider whose 2024 Rapha Lincoln GP podium reminded everyone how dangerous he is on tough circuits. He’s already chalked up a top-20 in the UCI Rutland-Melton classic, 13th in the Timmy James GP and 12th at the Trofee Maarten Wynants this year, signalling form is bubbling.
Danylo Riwnyj (Foran Cycling Team) has been Mr. Consistency on the National B scene: 2nd at the London Dynamo regional championship and third-place finishes at both the Andrews Trophy and PNE RR head a string of spring podiums. Comfortable on climbs and quick in a kick, he’s the archetypal all-rounder – ideal traits for a Wymeswold podium push. Callum Laborde (Ornata Factory Racing) sits 10th in the tenth in The British Continental national road rankings thanks to near-metronomic top-five finishes – 2nd in the Derek Lusher Champs, fifths at Timmy James, Andrews Trophy and DAP CC RR, plus a Kennel Hill Classic podium. Still under-23, he carries both a stinging sprint and stamina proven by last year’s 6th in the National Road Series Lancaster Grand Prix.
Clay Davies (Ride Revolution Coaching) blends veteran craft with raw engine power. His solo win at the Andrews Trophy and a top-five at the Jock Wadley Memorial add to a 2024 résumé that sparkled.
Race organisers Yomp Bonk Crew has put together its own composite team to tackle Wymeswold in the spirit of giving a chance to young Brits. In the quartet is Ollie Hurdle – third a few weeks ago at the DAP CC Road Race and fourth at last year’s race – and Toby Bartlett, who will be relishing the kermesse-style opening stage. Also joining HUUB Yomp Bonk Crew is Ollie Peckover – a time trialist awaiting the chance to attack on Stage Two – and erstwhile Spectra Racing rider Dan Barnes, a rider much more familiar to fans of the muddy cyclocross scene.
Provisional startlists
Women’s race
Open race
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