The Jock Wadley Memorial Road Race will take place on Sunday 8 March, organisers have confirmed, bringing an end to a period of uncertainty over whether the long-running early-season race would run this year.
The timing, however, creates a significant pinch point in the calendar. The Jock Wadley now clashes with the Evesham Vale Road Race on the same day, while the Royal Navy Cup is scheduled for Saturday 7 March. All three are Open National B events with broadly flat profiles, likely to appeal to a similar pool of domestic riders and teams.
The contrast with last season is notable. In 2025, the Jock Wadley Memorial did not clash with any other Open National B road races, allowing it to draw from the full early-season domestic pool. This year’s overlap comes at a particularly sensitive point in the calendar: it will be only the second weekend of National-level road racing in the UK, following the Portsdown Classic on 8 February.
| 8-Feb | Portsdown Classic | Hampshire |
| 07-Mar | Royal Navy Cup p/b SWRRWG | Somerset |
| 08-Mar | Evesham Vale Road Race | Worcestershire |
| 08-Mar | 42nd Jock Wadley Memorial Road Race | Essex |
| 14-Mar | The Peak 2 Day p/b Velo Edge | YBC | Derbyshire |
| 15-Mar | The Peak 2 Day p/b Velo Edge | YBC | West Yorkshire |
| 22-Mar | 65th Dulwich Paragon Wally Gimber Trophy | Surrey |
| 28-Mar | Kennel Hill Classic | West Sussex |
| 28-Mar | Gifford Road Race | East Lothian |
| 29-Mar | PB Performance Road Race | Leicestershire |
First run in 1982 and organised by Colchester Rovers Cycling Club, the Jock Wadley Memorial is named in honour of Jock Wadley, one of the most influential figures in British cycling journalism. While it sits outside the National Road Series, its longevity and early-season position have made it a reference point for riders assessing form after winter.
Recent editions have been dominated by Jacob Vaughan, who claimed victory in both 2024 and 2025. Vaughan has told The British Continental that he hopes to race again this year. No rider has ever won the Jock Wadley Memorial three times, let alone three times in succession. A victory in 2026 would see Vaughan set a new benchmark in the race’s history.
Entry link here.
