The National B calendar hits the exposed Essex lanes next Sunday (8 March) for the 42nd Jock Wadley Memorial. With Jacob Vaughan chasing an unprecedented hat-trick against a stacked field of domestic heavyweights and hungry up-and-comers, we break down the route and the riders to watch.
Taking place on Sunday 8 March, the 42nd edition of the Jock Wadley Memorial Road Race brings the National B peloton to the demanding lanes of Essex. As one of the earliest and most prestigious fixtures on the domestic calendar, this National B tear-up provides a crucial early-season form-checker for Britain’s top domestic talent.
Featured image: Mark James
What is it?
Organised with characteristic dedication by Colchester Rovers Cycling Club, the Jock Wadley is a staple of the early-season Essex race scene. Based out of Layer de la Haye, the route orbits the scenic but brutally exposed Abberton Reservoir, offering a relentless battleground that tests rider mettle just as the British spring is trying to wake up.
The event pays tribute to John Borland ‘Jock’ Wadley, one of the most influential figures in British cycling journalism. Wadley’s pioneering reports from the European continent in the post-war era brought the romance of the Grand Tours to the British public, and since its inaugural edition in 1982, this race has served as a fittingly tough memorial to his legacy.
Over its rich history, the race has attracted top-tier fields, boasting a roll of honour that includes Steele von Hoff and Andy Lyons (both two-time winners), as well as Ben Luckwell, Tony Gibb, Malcolm Elliott, and Luke Rowe. However, all eyes are on RCC Racing’s Jacob Vaughan, who secured gritty solo victories in 2024 and 2025, and returns looking to etch his name into the history books with an unprecedented third consecutive win.
Route
Rolling out from Layer-de-la-Haye, the peloton will tackle 12 laps of the notoriously sapping Abberton Reservoir circuit, bringing the total distance to a punchy 136.8 kilometres. While the 67 metres of elevation gain per 11.4km lap sounds flat on paper, the constant succession of twisty, narrow lanes, unrelenting drags, and a vicious little kicker less than a kilometre from the finish line make this a thoroughly punishing parcours.
March weather in Essex is rarely a tranquil affair, although current forecasts suggest the weather will be benign, reducing the chances of crosswinds across the reservoir’s highly exposed stretches. If the wind does howl, however, echelons are almost guaranteed to shatter the peloton, whittling down the bunch lap by lap and setting the stage for either a late solo strike or a highly selective reduced-bunch sprint.
Riders to watch
With this being so early in the year, form across the peloton remains largely unknown, making predictions notoriously difficult. Nevertheless, Jacob Vaughan rightly starts with a target on his back. Now lining up in the colours of the new RCC Racing collective, the defending champion has a proven knack for sniffing out the decisive moves on this circuit. If his winter preparation has gone smoothly, stopping his historic hat-trick will be the primary objective for the rest of the peloton.
Vaughan wins in 2025. Image: Mark James
Domestic powerhouses Foran CT and DAS Richardsons arrive with their trademark strength in depth and will look to dictate terms. Foran boasts the firepower of former Rás winner Dom Jackson and young Nathan Levitt – 4th at Portsdown last month – whilst DAS Richardsons brings a well-drilled squad guided by two-time Wadley winner Andy Lyons in the team car. Featuring the WorldTour experience of Alex Peters alongside Frank Longstaff, Cai Davies and Matt Lord, among others, the local squad is perfectly equipped to force their rivals into burning matches early on.
Ride Revolution Coaching fields a potent line-up, spearheaded by Clay Davies. Davies looked to be in imperious winning form at the season-opening Portsdown Classic before unfortunately puncturing out of the winning break, and he will be hungry for redemption here. Meanwhile, StolenGoat 4Endurance will be highly motivated to continue their flying start to the season following Alex Murphy’s brilliant victory at Portsdown. With his form already proven, Murphy lines up as a primary contender in his own right and will be backed by a strong roster. Adding to the list of proven early-season operators is Matthew Gilmour (Nopinz RT), who narrowly missed out on the top step with a superb second-place finish behind Murphy at Portsdown and will undoubtedly be looking to go one better on Sunday.
Murphy wins the 2026 Portsdown Classic. Image: Mark James
While they perhaps lack an obvious outright contender for the finale, Schils – Doltcini Racing Team cannot be ignored simply due to their sheer numbers. Fielding a massive ten-rider squad, they possess unparalleled numerical advantage to control the peloton, cover early moves, and heavily influence the tactical flow of the race.
Finally, we must highlight a trio of immensely talented riders capable of upsetting the established order. Dylan Hicks (UN Cycling Team x Pyörävarikko) is a rapid 21-year-old with a lethal fast kick who took a UCI stage win at the Tour of Hellas in 2024 and the Beaumont Trophy in 2025. Archie Peet (O’Neills Spirit Racing Team) has proven his pedigree over the last two seasons with brilliant victories at both the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race (2024) and the BUCS Championships (2025).
Leon Atkins. Image: Mark James
Also keep a close eye on junior sensation Leon Atkins (camsmajaco); the 17-year-old Lidl-Trek future signing recently stunned the domestic scene by taking senior bronze in the Individual Pursuit at the National Track Championships – posting a time faster than Bradley Wiggins at the same age – and could be a serious dark horse if he translates that raw pursuiting power to the Essex lanes.
Taking place on Sunday 8 March, the 42nd edition of the Jock Wadley Memorial Road Race brings the National B peloton to the demanding lanes of Essex. As one of the earliest and most prestigious fixtures on the domestic calendar, this National B tear-up provides a crucial early-season form-checker for Britain’s top domestic talent.
Featured image: Mark James
What is it?
Organised with characteristic dedication by Colchester Rovers Cycling Club, the Jock Wadley is a staple of the early-season Essex race scene. Based out of Layer de la Haye, the route orbits the scenic but brutally exposed Abberton Reservoir, offering a relentless battleground that tests rider mettle just as the British spring is trying to wake up.
The event pays tribute to John Borland ‘Jock’ Wadley, one of the most influential figures in British cycling journalism. Wadley’s pioneering reports from the European continent in the post-war era brought the romance of the Grand Tours to the British public, and since its inaugural edition in 1982, this race has served as a fittingly tough memorial to his legacy.
Over its rich history, the race has attracted top-tier fields, boasting a roll of honour that includes Steele von Hoff and Andy Lyons (both two-time winners), as well as Ben Luckwell, Tony Gibb, Malcolm Elliott, and Luke Rowe. However, all eyes are on RCC Racing’s Jacob Vaughan, who secured gritty solo victories in 2024 and 2025, and returns looking to etch his name into the history books with an unprecedented third consecutive win.
Route
Rolling out from Layer-de-la-Haye, the peloton will tackle 12 laps of the notoriously sapping Abberton Reservoir circuit, bringing the total distance to a punchy 136.8 kilometres. While the 67 metres of elevation gain per 11.4km lap sounds flat on paper, the constant succession of twisty, narrow lanes, unrelenting drags, and a vicious little kicker less than a kilometre from the finish line make this a thoroughly punishing parcours.
March weather in Essex is rarely a tranquil affair, although current forecasts suggest the weather will be benign, reducing the chances of crosswinds across the reservoir’s highly exposed stretches. If the wind does howl, however, echelons are almost guaranteed to shatter the peloton, whittling down the bunch lap by lap and setting the stage for either a late solo strike or a highly selective reduced-bunch sprint.
Riders to watch
With this being so early in the year, form across the peloton remains largely unknown, making predictions notoriously difficult. Nevertheless, Jacob Vaughan rightly starts with a target on his back. Now lining up in the colours of the new RCC Racing collective, the defending champion has a proven knack for sniffing out the decisive moves on this circuit. If his winter preparation has gone smoothly, stopping his historic hat-trick will be the primary objective for the rest of the peloton.
Domestic powerhouses Foran CT and DAS Richardsons arrive with their trademark strength in depth and will look to dictate terms. Foran boasts the firepower of former Rás winner Dom Jackson and young Nathan Levitt – 4th at Portsdown last month – whilst DAS Richardsons brings a well-drilled squad guided by two-time Wadley winner Andy Lyons in the team car. Featuring the WorldTour experience of Alex Peters alongside Frank Longstaff, Cai Davies and Matt Lord, among others, the local squad is perfectly equipped to force their rivals into burning matches early on.
Ride Revolution Coaching fields a potent line-up, spearheaded by Clay Davies. Davies looked to be in imperious winning form at the season-opening Portsdown Classic before unfortunately puncturing out of the winning break, and he will be hungry for redemption here. Meanwhile, StolenGoat 4Endurance will be highly motivated to continue their flying start to the season following Alex Murphy’s brilliant victory at Portsdown. With his form already proven, Murphy lines up as a primary contender in his own right and will be backed by a strong roster. Adding to the list of proven early-season operators is Matthew Gilmour (Nopinz RT), who narrowly missed out on the top step with a superb second-place finish behind Murphy at Portsdown and will undoubtedly be looking to go one better on Sunday.
While they perhaps lack an obvious outright contender for the finale, Schils – Doltcini Racing Team cannot be ignored simply due to their sheer numbers. Fielding a massive ten-rider squad, they possess unparalleled numerical advantage to control the peloton, cover early moves, and heavily influence the tactical flow of the race.
Finally, we must highlight a trio of immensely talented riders capable of upsetting the established order. Dylan Hicks (UN Cycling Team x Pyörävarikko) is a rapid 21-year-old with a lethal fast kick who took a UCI stage win at the Tour of Hellas in 2024 and the Beaumont Trophy in 2025. Archie Peet (O’Neills Spirit Racing Team) has proven his pedigree over the last two seasons with brilliant victories at both the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race (2024) and the BUCS Championships (2025).
Also keep a close eye on junior sensation Leon Atkins (camsmajaco); the 17-year-old Lidl-Trek future signing recently stunned the domestic scene by taking senior bronze in the Individual Pursuit at the National Track Championships – posting a time faster than Bradley Wiggins at the same age – and could be a serious dark horse if he translates that raw pursuiting power to the Essex lanes.
Provisional startlist
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