Portsdown and the shifting balance of British road racing
Results at the Portsdown Classic rarely define a season, but they often frame the conversations that follow. In his analysis, Jack Beavis suggests that an under-23-dominated race, juniors best of the rest, and a thinning middle tier combined in 2026 to hint at a broader recalibration of British domestic road racing.
It isn’t the first time the Portsdown Classic, or the Perfs Pedal, as it was in its former iteration, has been dominated by U23 riders, but the 2026 edition marked something of a shifting of the sands in the domestic scene.
Despite its short length, the race packs a notorious punch. Raced at an infernal tempo for close to two hours, the final climb to the top of Crooked Walk Lane has a habit of producing a worthy winner – 19-year-old Alex Murphy of the StolenGoat 4Endurance team no exception.
Under-23 riders fill the top four places, while six of the original nine in the breakaway that would ultimately contest the victory came from those ranks
This year’s edition saw under-23 riders fill the top four places, while six of the original nine in the breakaway that would ultimately contest the victory came from those ranks. More striking still, the riders finishing 10th, 11th and 12th – the highly touted Leon Atkins (camsmajaco), former Decathlon–AG2R U19 recruit Gus Dutton (also camsmajaco), and Matthew Fletcher (Harrogate Nova Race Team) – were all juniors, the next generation proving very much the best of the rest in an 80-strong field.
Juniors impressing at this season opener is nothing new. Alex Dowsett took an outstanding victory here in 2007, and the podium has featured under-23 winners as recently as 2023, when Jack Rootkin-Gray led home a Saint Piran one-two-three. But the domestic scene is scarcely recognisable from 2007, when WorldTour-bound Dan Lloyd finished second ahead of veteran Kiwi Gordon McCauley, and it is markedly different even from 2023. The demise of the all-conquering Saint Piran squad at the end of the following year left Britain without a men’s UCI Continental team.
Evander Wishart (DECATHLON AG2R LA MONDIALE U19 Team), Sidney Dutton (VC Londres), and Gus Dutton (camsmajaco). Image: Mark James
That absence, damaging though it may have been, has also helped create a more level playing field. Young riders, who UCI Continental teams were once obliged to give opportunities to, are now searching for their route to the highest level among Elite Development Teams. Their approach to training and professionalism has brought them closer than ever to the standards once set by the old guard and full-time professionals, with competitive domestic racing sharpening their focus.
The standard, although hard to quantify, is high. Among those racing at Portsdown was third-place finisher Jack Baldie (Pronto RT), who rode to eighth at the GP Plouay Juniors last August, a staggering result against riders already embedded in the WorldTour development system, and a clear sign of his potential. Meanwhile, former junior national champion Oliver Dawson has elected to race in Britain with JAKROO–Handsling this season, having ridden races such as the Giro Next Gen for Italian squad Team Hopplà in 2025, a move he does not see as a step back.
These exciting young prospects are joined by a small, but powerful, legion of more experienced riders who provide a stern benchmark, many of them reaching their peak after the traditional pathway for such riders was largely obliterated as the UK scene collapsed around the Covid-19 pandemic.
The domestic scene, with this unique mix of youth and experience, is quietly proving itself as a place where riders are able to develop and seek opportunities further down the line
Matt Bostock continues to prove almost unstoppable over 50 minutes, racking up an enviable collection of National A victories, while Lotto alumnus Matt Holmes proved he can still cut it with Witheridge Grand Prix victory last July, and James McKay finally won in the National Road Series last year, taking victory in two rounds, including the Rapha Lincoln GP. His rise, at the age of 28, is potentially one of last to be forged almost purely in Britain, as he heads back to UCI Continental level with the Australian Atom 6 Bikes-Decca-Cycleur de Luxe team.
It is no secret that, on the men’s side at least, the clearest path to progression lies abroad, with increasing numbers of riders racing in Europe full-time, even as juniors. Yet those remaining in Britain as they enter their first under-23 seasons need not be disheartened. Instead, the domestic scene, with this unique mix of youth and experience, is quietly proving itself as a place where riders are able to develop and seek opportunities further down the line.
Four under-23s: Nathan Levitt (Foran CT) leads Jack Baldie (Pronto RT), Matt Gilmour (Nopinz RT) and Alex Murphy (StolenGoat 4Endurance). Image: Mark James
Adam Howell, the National Road Series winner, and Alex Beldon are embarking on adventures with top French outfits Bourg-en-Bresse and Mayenne-Monbana-Rapido respectively, having proven their level last year. Meanwhile, National B standouts Jake Edwards and Max Hereward will race in Italy with Zappi in 2026, following the path taken by neo-pro Ben Granger.
Having broken through with a National B victory last season, Murphy may well be among those eyeing a similar step. His ambitions will be shaped by more consequential battles later in the year – Portsdown very much the start, not the destination, of his season.
After a difficult period for both the race and the domestic scene, their futures appear illuminated, if not yet bright
After a difficult period for both the race and the domestic scene, their futures appear illuminated, if not yet bright. Younger riders are beginning to trust the system to offer opportunities, older riders are thriving amid renewed competition, and Portsdown retains its role as a traditional, long-awaited season opener with real prestige.
It may no longer resemble the pre-Covid festival of cycling it once was, but green shoots of growth are returning to racing across the UK, with young riders firmly at the centre. A shifting of the sands, and a welcome one, as everyone looks for their next opportunity.
It isn’t the first time the Portsdown Classic, or the Perfs Pedal, as it was in its former iteration, has been dominated by U23 riders, but the 2026 edition marked something of a shifting of the sands in the domestic scene.
Despite its short length, the race packs a notorious punch. Raced at an infernal tempo for close to two hours, the final climb to the top of Crooked Walk Lane has a habit of producing a worthy winner – 19-year-old Alex Murphy of the StolenGoat 4Endurance team no exception.
This year’s edition saw under-23 riders fill the top four places, while six of the original nine in the breakaway that would ultimately contest the victory came from those ranks. More striking still, the riders finishing 10th, 11th and 12th – the highly touted Leon Atkins (camsmajaco), former Decathlon–AG2R U19 recruit Gus Dutton (also camsmajaco), and Matthew Fletcher (Harrogate Nova Race Team) – were all juniors, the next generation proving very much the best of the rest in an 80-strong field.
Juniors impressing at this season opener is nothing new. Alex Dowsett took an outstanding victory here in 2007, and the podium has featured under-23 winners as recently as 2023, when Jack Rootkin-Gray led home a Saint Piran one-two-three. But the domestic scene is scarcely recognisable from 2007, when WorldTour-bound Dan Lloyd finished second ahead of veteran Kiwi Gordon McCauley, and it is markedly different even from 2023. The demise of the all-conquering Saint Piran squad at the end of the following year left Britain without a men’s UCI Continental team.
That absence, damaging though it may have been, has also helped create a more level playing field. Young riders, who UCI Continental teams were once obliged to give opportunities to, are now searching for their route to the highest level among Elite Development Teams. Their approach to training and professionalism has brought them closer than ever to the standards once set by the old guard and full-time professionals, with competitive domestic racing sharpening their focus.
The standard, although hard to quantify, is high. Among those racing at Portsdown was third-place finisher Jack Baldie (Pronto RT), who rode to eighth at the GP Plouay Juniors last August, a staggering result against riders already embedded in the WorldTour development system, and a clear sign of his potential. Meanwhile, former junior national champion Oliver Dawson has elected to race in Britain with JAKROO–Handsling this season, having ridden races such as the Giro Next Gen for Italian squad Team Hopplà in 2025, a move he does not see as a step back.
These exciting young prospects are joined by a small, but powerful, legion of more experienced riders who provide a stern benchmark, many of them reaching their peak after the traditional pathway for such riders was largely obliterated as the UK scene collapsed around the Covid-19 pandemic.
Matt Bostock continues to prove almost unstoppable over 50 minutes, racking up an enviable collection of National A victories, while Lotto alumnus Matt Holmes proved he can still cut it with Witheridge Grand Prix victory last July, and James McKay finally won in the National Road Series last year, taking victory in two rounds, including the Rapha Lincoln GP. His rise, at the age of 28, is potentially one of last to be forged almost purely in Britain, as he heads back to UCI Continental level with the Australian Atom 6 Bikes-Decca-Cycleur de Luxe team.
It is no secret that, on the men’s side at least, the clearest path to progression lies abroad, with increasing numbers of riders racing in Europe full-time, even as juniors. Yet those remaining in Britain as they enter their first under-23 seasons need not be disheartened. Instead, the domestic scene, with this unique mix of youth and experience, is quietly proving itself as a place where riders are able to develop and seek opportunities further down the line.
Adam Howell, the National Road Series winner, and Alex Beldon are embarking on adventures with top French outfits Bourg-en-Bresse and Mayenne-Monbana-Rapido respectively, having proven their level last year. Meanwhile, National B standouts Jake Edwards and Max Hereward will race in Italy with Zappi in 2026, following the path taken by neo-pro Ben Granger.
Having broken through with a National B victory last season, Murphy may well be among those eyeing a similar step. His ambitions will be shaped by more consequential battles later in the year – Portsdown very much the start, not the destination, of his season.
After a difficult period for both the race and the domestic scene, their futures appear illuminated, if not yet bright. Younger riders are beginning to trust the system to offer opportunities, older riders are thriving amid renewed competition, and Portsdown retains its role as a traditional, long-awaited season opener with real prestige.
It may no longer resemble the pre-Covid festival of cycling it once was, but green shoots of growth are returning to racing across the UK, with young riders firmly at the centre. A shifting of the sands, and a welcome one, as everyone looks for their next opportunity.
Read the race report here.
Featured image: Mark James
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