The Under-23 Open National Road Series continues this Sunday (3 August) with the Yorkshire Under-23 Classic. Here is our preview.
Featured image: Emma Wilcock
What is it?
The third round of four in the Under-23 Open National Road Series, and organised by British Cycling Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Under-23 Classic was created specifically for the Under-23 Open National Road Series when it began in 2022. Sam Clark won the first edition of the race in 2022, Jenson Young was the 2023 victor, while Tom Williams triumphed last season.
The Series so far
Alex Beldon sprinted to an emotional win at the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race in Leicestershire back in March as a group of six riders broke away late on in the race, his first victory for the Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck team and a catalyst for the fine year the 19-year-old is having following the closure of his Trinity Racing team last year.
In round two Cameron Still capitalised on a purple patch in his form to produce a breakthrough ride at the Halesowen Academy Road Race, soloing to victory after attacking breakaway companion James Satoor up the final ascent to Hollybush. However, Maxwell Hereward leads the series courtesy of his consistency so far, the 360Cycling rider making the final selections in both races, finishing fourth and third respectively. His haul of 50 points gives him a 20-point buffer over Beldon and Still, with a host of riders in close quarters behind. However, with 30 points for a win and two rounds remaining, all is still to play for.
From here, the series concludes at September’s Kenton RC Autumn Classic in Bedfordshire.
The race uses the Carlecotes circuit, used for the first time in this race last year. The circuit takes in 10.5km and 204m of climbing, according to VeloViewer. With 12 laps of the course, the organisers state the race distance as 125km.
It is a challenging course. The gradients are rarely savage, but there is barely a metre of flat, and with the roads often exposed and with plenty of climbing still to tackle, this should be an attritional race.
Riders to watch
With 59 riders on the startlist, MaxwellHereward starts in a strong position to consolidate his series lead, with notable absentees including Alex Beldon and Dylan Hicks. However, there is talent all the way down, from riders looking to make a name for themselves, to those with one eye on Hereward, and his series lead, making for a fascinating race on tough terrain.
19-year-old Hereward has enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2025, the 360Cycling rider recording top tens coming not only in the two previous U23 National Road Series rounds, but also at the Northern Road Race Championship and Capernwray Road Race, highlighting the fact that the hilly parcours will pose few issues for him. With a standout result of 4th at the National Circuit Race Championship, Hereward continues to deliver consistently in the biggest races, a July spent racing in France valuable experience for him.
His teammate Jake Edwards is enjoying his best season to date since moving to the North West outfit, producing a brilliant ride last Sunday to finish second only to former WorldTour climber Matt Holmes at the Witheridge Grand Prix, form which puts him firmly amongst the favourites here. The 22-year-old is an aggressive rider, attacking from far out at the season opening Clayton Spring Classic, then at the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race, while a good ride on the opening day of the Peaks 2-Day on this course bodes well, with the action that day taking place nearby. Instantly distinguishable with his long hair, Edwards will be a marked man should he make a move on Sunday.
When Cameron Still soloed to victory in the last round of the series he announced himself a contender on the national stage, backing it up with 11th place at the brutal Tour of the Reservoir. The 20-year-old hasn’t raced since the National Road Race Championship a month ago however, his form an unknown coming into this race. He will be joined by Ride Revolution Coaching teammate Caleb Pain, the 21-year-old proving his penchant for hilly courses when finishing second only to Adam Lewis at the East and West Midlands Road Race Championship in the foothills of Derbyshire’s Peak District.
Samuel Nisbet (Reflex Nopinz) joins Still in remaining in the hunt for series honours courtesy of a second place in the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race, that result forming part of a strong opening to the season which included 5th place in the Totnes Vire stage race and 7th in the Portsdown Classic. 14th at the Witheridge Grand Prix on Sunday suggests his form is coming back at the right time for a big performance on Sunday.
Lewis Tinsley (BCC Race Team). Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Lewis Tinsley (BCC RT) has long been touted as a real prospect since finishing in the leading group at the Dudley GP as a first year junior two years ago; his 5th place in the Witheridge Grand Prix a coming of age for the 18-year-old. Quietly consistent, a series of kermesses in Belgium last month appear to have paid off for the West Midlands rider, who will have Zak Machin and George Stephen by his side, the former finishing 5th in the Halesowen Academy race.
Dave Coulson’s Cycling Sheffield team went through a reset in the winter, signing a host of new riders, this race offering an opportunity for them to show their potential on roads close to home. Climber Nathan Smith rode well at the Sheffield GP despite missing the early split and will look to make amends on terrain more to his liking, while DanEastham was 4th at the Halesowen Academy race. Ryan Williams has often flattered to deceive in the U23 ranks, but this terrain offers the chance for the former junior hill climb star to thrive.
Henry Hunter (MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK). Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Henry Hunter is a name to watch, having impressed the Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck team enough for them to sign him, a stage win at the Mennock Pass Stage Race and second by the finest margins at the Northern Road Race Championship the highlights of an excellent season so far for the Cumbrian. Dexter Leeming-Sykes (Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli) got the better of Hunter to take the Northern Championship, a significant victory having come back returned from France last year and coming back from a back injury. His teammate Max Bufton is in a strong position in the series having finished 5th in the opening round.
Finally, Elliott Colyer (TAAP-Kalas) is a dark horse for the spoils having finished second in the Mennock Pass Stage Race, third in both the uphill prologue and brutal final stage, which featured a spectacular summit finish, excellent form for the challenge ahead. Sixth in the Halesowen Academy race, Colyer will also have one eye on the series standings.
The Under-23 Open National Road Series continues this Sunday (3 August) with the Yorkshire Under-23 Classic. Here is our preview.
Featured image: Emma Wilcock
What is it?
The third round of four in the Under-23 Open National Road Series, and organised by British Cycling Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Under-23 Classic was created specifically for the Under-23 Open National Road Series when it began in 2022. Sam Clark won the first edition of the race in 2022, Jenson Young was the 2023 victor, while Tom Williams triumphed last season.
The Series so far
Alex Beldon sprinted to an emotional win at the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race in Leicestershire back in March as a group of six riders broke away late on in the race, his first victory for the Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck team and a catalyst for the fine year the 19-year-old is having following the closure of his Trinity Racing team last year.
In round two Cameron Still capitalised on a purple patch in his form to produce a breakthrough ride at the Halesowen Academy Road Race, soloing to victory after attacking breakaway companion James Satoor up the final ascent to Hollybush. However, Maxwell Hereward leads the series courtesy of his consistency so far, the 360Cycling rider making the final selections in both races, finishing fourth and third respectively. His haul of 50 points gives him a 20-point buffer over Beldon and Still, with a host of riders in close quarters behind. However, with 30 points for a win and two rounds remaining, all is still to play for.
From here, the series concludes at September’s Kenton RC Autumn Classic in Bedfordshire.
Route
The race uses the Carlecotes circuit, used for the first time in this race last year. The circuit takes in 10.5km and 204m of climbing, according to VeloViewer. With 12 laps of the course, the organisers state the race distance as 125km.
It is a challenging course. The gradients are rarely savage, but there is barely a metre of flat, and with the roads often exposed and with plenty of climbing still to tackle, this should be an attritional race.
Riders to watch
With 59 riders on the startlist, Maxwell Hereward starts in a strong position to consolidate his series lead, with notable absentees including Alex Beldon and Dylan Hicks. However, there is talent all the way down, from riders looking to make a name for themselves, to those with one eye on Hereward, and his series lead, making for a fascinating race on tough terrain.
19-year-old Hereward has enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2025, the 360Cycling rider recording top tens coming not only in the two previous U23 National Road Series rounds, but also at the Northern Road Race Championship and Capernwray Road Race, highlighting the fact that the hilly parcours will pose few issues for him. With a standout result of 4th at the National Circuit Race Championship, Hereward continues to deliver consistently in the biggest races, a July spent racing in France valuable experience for him.
His teammate Jake Edwards is enjoying his best season to date since moving to the North West outfit, producing a brilliant ride last Sunday to finish second only to former WorldTour climber Matt Holmes at the Witheridge Grand Prix, form which puts him firmly amongst the favourites here. The 22-year-old is an aggressive rider, attacking from far out at the season opening Clayton Spring Classic, then at the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race, while a good ride on the opening day of the Peaks 2-Day on this course bodes well, with the action that day taking place nearby. Instantly distinguishable with his long hair, Edwards will be a marked man should he make a move on Sunday.
When Cameron Still soloed to victory in the last round of the series he announced himself a contender on the national stage, backing it up with 11th place at the brutal Tour of the Reservoir. The 20-year-old hasn’t raced since the National Road Race Championship a month ago however, his form an unknown coming into this race. He will be joined by Ride Revolution Coaching teammate Caleb Pain, the 21-year-old proving his penchant for hilly courses when finishing second only to Adam Lewis at the East and West Midlands Road Race Championship in the foothills of Derbyshire’s Peak District.
Samuel Nisbet (Reflex Nopinz) joins Still in remaining in the hunt for series honours courtesy of a second place in the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race, that result forming part of a strong opening to the season which included 5th place in the Totnes Vire stage race and 7th in the Portsdown Classic. 14th at the Witheridge Grand Prix on Sunday suggests his form is coming back at the right time for a big performance on Sunday.
Lewis Tinsley (BCC RT) has long been touted as a real prospect since finishing in the leading group at the Dudley GP as a first year junior two years ago; his 5th place in the Witheridge Grand Prix a coming of age for the 18-year-old. Quietly consistent, a series of kermesses in Belgium last month appear to have paid off for the West Midlands rider, who will have Zak Machin and George Stephen by his side, the former finishing 5th in the Halesowen Academy race.
Dave Coulson’s Cycling Sheffield team went through a reset in the winter, signing a host of new riders, this race offering an opportunity for them to show their potential on roads close to home. Climber Nathan Smith rode well at the Sheffield GP despite missing the early split and will look to make amends on terrain more to his liking, while Dan Eastham was 4th at the Halesowen Academy race. Ryan Williams has often flattered to deceive in the U23 ranks, but this terrain offers the chance for the former junior hill climb star to thrive.
Henry Hunter is a name to watch, having impressed the Muc-Off-SRCT-Storck team enough for them to sign him, a stage win at the Mennock Pass Stage Race and second by the finest margins at the Northern Road Race Championship the highlights of an excellent season so far for the Cumbrian. Dexter Leeming-Sykes (Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli) got the better of Hunter to take the Northern Championship, a significant victory having come back returned from France last year and coming back from a back injury. His teammate Max Bufton is in a strong position in the series having finished 5th in the opening round.
Finally, Elliott Colyer (TAAP-Kalas) is a dark horse for the spoils having finished second in the Mennock Pass Stage Race, third in both the uphill prologue and brutal final stage, which featured a spectacular summit finish, excellent form for the challenge ahead. Sixth in the Halesowen Academy race, Colyer will also have one eye on the series standings.
Provisional startlist
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