Robyn Clay (DAS-Hutchinson) and Tom Armstrong (Wheelbase - CabTech - Catelli) took the National Circuit Series titles at the Dawlish finale - 25th July 2025
On a warm and pleasant evening in England’s South West, the smell of fish & chips, thrum of arcades and lapping of waves against the sea wall was punctured by the clatter of bike wheels and squeal of brakes as the National Circuit Series wrapped up in Dawlish with Anna Morris and Matt Bostock (Tekkerz CC) taking the wins on the night.
In the overall series, a top five was good enough for Robyn Clay (DAS-Hutchinson) to seal the overall title, while Tom Armstrong’s (Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli) third secured him the crown by 10 points.
Featured image: Olly Hassell/SWPix.com
Report
TJ Smith Women’s Dawlish Grand Prix
Anna Morris once again proved the cream of the women’s field as she stormed to yet another National Circuit Series victory in theTJ Smith Women’s Dawlish GP, picking up where she left off in Colne on Tuesday night as she again unleashed a powerful sprint for glory; but fourth was enough for Robyn Clay (DAS-Hutchinson) to defend her series lead and take the overall title after a fast and furious night of racing in Devon.
Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Positioning was key at the start of the race as the peloton lined up with the sun just about to start setting, the narrow course on the Devon coast handing the advantage to those on the front row: the might of DAS-Hutchinson led by Clay, joining the in-form Morris and National Circuit Champion Kate Richardson (Handsling Alba Development RT) at the head of affairs in the opening laps.
Five laps in and Clay, the victor in Otley and Guildford, made the first move of real intent, dragging both Morris and Richardson away with her to create a formidable trio. Attempting to bridge across was Clay’s DAS-Hutchinson teammate and fellow fast finisher Sophie Lewis who was looking to swing the pendulum in their favour.
The trio’s escape would be short lived but – along with Lewis – they would set a stern tempo at the front of the bunch, their intentions clear for all to see. Maddie Cooper, a fresh addition to the Spectra Racing squad, also demonstrating why her signature was in demand halfway through the series as she took turns animating the front of the race.
Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
With 25 of the scheduled 50 minutes completed it was Clay and Richardson, the now familiar sparring partners, who continued to assert themselves at the head of affairs with a number of attacks whilst the green and blue jerseys of the rest of the DAS-Hutchinson squad put down any other attacks as the golden skies of South Devon added to the idyllic coastal surroundings.
It was the effervescent Clay who would continue to attack as the lap board was produced, the Yorkshire rider clearly in good form and not wanting to rely on her sprint, which took her to a commanding victory a little over three weeks ago in the Otley opener. However, once away she had, predictably, Morris and Richardson for company, the trio seemingly inseparable throughout the evening.
With the status quo returned, DAS-Hutchinson swarmed to the front of the bunch as the laps counted down; positioning so vital with the narrow approach to the finish line. The question was who would be their designated sprinter with both Clay and Lewis in the mix?
As the peloton headed up the finish straight for the final time it was Lewis who started her sprint strongly, only to be passed by a flying Anna Morris, producing a brilliant turn of speed as she powered to her fourth win of the series, with fellow track rider Maddie Leech (Alba Development RT) rounding out the podium.
Robyn Clay speaks to Joe Hudson after clinching the Women’s National Circuit Series title
Clay was next home in fourth, sprinting well despite her tireless efforts throughout the race; her consistency handing her the overall title and holding her lead at the head of the Rapha Super-League standings.
RD Johns Open Dawlish Grand Prix
Matt Bostock (Tekkerz CC) once again proved he is unstoppable in a sprint finish, avenging last year’s Cambridge Criterium defeat at the hands of Frank Longstaff (DAS-Richardsons) as the pair went head to head at the end of a frantic race in the RD Johns Open Dawlish GP. However, Tom Armstrong’s third place was enough to seal the series win for the ever-consistent Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli rider.
Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
After a fast start on the pan-flat seaside course, Carl Jolly (Schils Doltcini Racing Team) and Joshua Horsfield (Reflex Nopinz) were the first riders to try their luck off the front of the bunch. They were joined in launching an early attack by Longstaff who, after an excellent performance in Colne on Tuesday, continued to demonstrate he is much more than just a fast finisher.
However, it was Matthew Wilson (Ride Revolution Coaching), who was the first rider to get a gap of note over the chasing bunch as he opened up half-a-dozen seconds on the chasing pack. Eventually reeled back in, Bostock launched a solo attack of his own – hoping the counter would catch his rivals napping.
Whilst that move didn’t stick, the Tekkerz rider would keep trying his luck as he looked to split the race up, inspired by his win in Sheffield last week where he broke away early on with two others before out-sprinting them to the win.
Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Bostock’s antics were enough to alert the likes of Will Truelove (Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck) to the danger as he made his way to the front of the bunch for the first time, his teammate Conor White and local hero George Kimber (Spirit Racing Team) splitting up the group with an injection of pace at the head of affairs.
The ever aggressive Kimber made a move off the front with the young Henry Hunter (Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck) and Ben Tuchner (Tekkerz CC), the leading trio holding a slender eight seconds lead with only seven laps of the 1.1km circuit to go.
As the laps ticked down Hunter went alone, although he would eventually be swept up by a number of riders attacking from the peloton; the race virtually all together again with two laps remaining – a furious bunch sprint in store.
It was Manxman and former National Champion Bostock who again proved he was the fastest, track rider Longstaff battling him to the line but missing out by a wheel to his adversary. Third place for Tom Armstrong was the performance of the evening however, the Lancastrian’s sprint a testament to his all-round ability and tactical nous, the result another example of the consistency which has brought him, and his Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli team, the National Circuit Series title.
Tom Armstrong speaks to Joe Hudson after securing the Open National Circuit Series crown
Bostock’s win gives him another boost in his quest for the Rapha Super-League title, the Manxman extending his lead going into Sunday’s Witheridge Grand Prix.
On a warm and pleasant evening in England’s South West, the smell of fish & chips, thrum of arcades and lapping of waves against the sea wall was punctured by the clatter of bike wheels and squeal of brakes as the National Circuit Series wrapped up in Dawlish with Anna Morris and Matt Bostock (Tekkerz CC) taking the wins on the night.
In the overall series, a top five was good enough for Robyn Clay (DAS-Hutchinson) to seal the overall title, while Tom Armstrong’s (Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli) third secured him the crown by 10 points.
Featured image: Olly Hassell/SWPix.com
Report
TJ Smith Women’s Dawlish Grand Prix
Anna Morris once again proved the cream of the women’s field as she stormed to yet another National Circuit Series victory in theTJ Smith Women’s Dawlish GP, picking up where she left off in Colne on Tuesday night as she again unleashed a powerful sprint for glory; but fourth was enough for Robyn Clay (DAS-Hutchinson) to defend her series lead and take the overall title after a fast and furious night of racing in Devon.
Positioning was key at the start of the race as the peloton lined up with the sun just about to start setting, the narrow course on the Devon coast handing the advantage to those on the front row: the might of DAS-Hutchinson led by Clay, joining the in-form Morris and National Circuit Champion Kate Richardson (Handsling Alba Development RT) at the head of affairs in the opening laps.
Five laps in and Clay, the victor in Otley and Guildford, made the first move of real intent, dragging both Morris and Richardson away with her to create a formidable trio. Attempting to bridge across was Clay’s DAS-Hutchinson teammate and fellow fast finisher Sophie Lewis who was looking to swing the pendulum in their favour.
The trio’s escape would be short lived but – along with Lewis – they would set a stern tempo at the front of the bunch, their intentions clear for all to see. Maddie Cooper, a fresh addition to the Spectra Racing squad, also demonstrating why her signature was in demand halfway through the series as she took turns animating the front of the race.
With 25 of the scheduled 50 minutes completed it was Clay and Richardson, the now familiar sparring partners, who continued to assert themselves at the head of affairs with a number of attacks whilst the green and blue jerseys of the rest of the DAS-Hutchinson squad put down any other attacks as the golden skies of South Devon added to the idyllic coastal surroundings.
It was the effervescent Clay who would continue to attack as the lap board was produced, the Yorkshire rider clearly in good form and not wanting to rely on her sprint, which took her to a commanding victory a little over three weeks ago in the Otley opener. However, once away she had, predictably, Morris and Richardson for company, the trio seemingly inseparable throughout the evening.
With the status quo returned, DAS-Hutchinson swarmed to the front of the bunch as the laps counted down; positioning so vital with the narrow approach to the finish line. The question was who would be their designated sprinter with both Clay and Lewis in the mix?
As the peloton headed up the finish straight for the final time it was Lewis who started her sprint strongly, only to be passed by a flying Anna Morris, producing a brilliant turn of speed as she powered to her fourth win of the series, with fellow track rider Maddie Leech (Alba Development RT) rounding out the podium.
Clay was next home in fourth, sprinting well despite her tireless efforts throughout the race; her consistency handing her the overall title and holding her lead at the head of the Rapha Super-League standings.
RD Johns Open Dawlish Grand Prix
Matt Bostock (Tekkerz CC) once again proved he is unstoppable in a sprint finish, avenging last year’s Cambridge Criterium defeat at the hands of Frank Longstaff (DAS-Richardsons) as the pair went head to head at the end of a frantic race in the RD Johns Open Dawlish GP. However, Tom Armstrong’s third place was enough to seal the series win for the ever-consistent Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli rider.
After a fast start on the pan-flat seaside course, Carl Jolly (Schils Doltcini Racing Team) and Joshua Horsfield (Reflex Nopinz) were the first riders to try their luck off the front of the bunch. They were joined in launching an early attack by Longstaff who, after an excellent performance in Colne on Tuesday, continued to demonstrate he is much more than just a fast finisher.
However, it was Matthew Wilson (Ride Revolution Coaching), who was the first rider to get a gap of note over the chasing bunch as he opened up half-a-dozen seconds on the chasing pack. Eventually reeled back in, Bostock launched a solo attack of his own – hoping the counter would catch his rivals napping.
Whilst that move didn’t stick, the Tekkerz rider would keep trying his luck as he looked to split the race up, inspired by his win in Sheffield last week where he broke away early on with two others before out-sprinting them to the win.
Bostock’s antics were enough to alert the likes of Will Truelove (Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck) to the danger as he made his way to the front of the bunch for the first time, his teammate Conor White and local hero George Kimber (Spirit Racing Team) splitting up the group with an injection of pace at the head of affairs.
The ever aggressive Kimber made a move off the front with the young Henry Hunter (Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck) and Ben Tuchner (Tekkerz CC), the leading trio holding a slender eight seconds lead with only seven laps of the 1.1km circuit to go.
As the laps ticked down Hunter went alone, although he would eventually be swept up by a number of riders attacking from the peloton; the race virtually all together again with two laps remaining – a furious bunch sprint in store.
It was Manxman and former National Champion Bostock who again proved he was the fastest, track rider Longstaff battling him to the line but missing out by a wheel to his adversary. Third place for Tom Armstrong was the performance of the evening however, the Lancastrian’s sprint a testament to his all-round ability and tactical nous, the result another example of the consistency which has brought him, and his Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli team, the National Circuit Series title.
Bostock’s win gives him another boost in his quest for the Rapha Super-League title, the Manxman extending his lead going into Sunday’s Witheridge Grand Prix.
Results
TJ Smith Women’s Dawlish Grand Prix
RD Johns Open Dawlish Grand Prix
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