2026 Aero CLCTV Royal Navy Cup: preview and startlist
Saved by an eleventh-hour rescue from Aero CLCTV, the Royal Navy Cup returns to the exposed tarmac of RNAS Merryfield on Saturday 7 March. Our preview breaks down the fast, flat airfield circuit, the threat of brutal crosswinds, and the prime contenders hunting for National B glory.
Taking place on Saturday 7 March, the third edition of the Royal Navy Cup brings the National B peloton to the fast, flat tarmac of Somerset. After a dramatic winter that nearly saw the event vanish from the calendar, this 120km tear-up at RNAS Merryfield provides a crucial and highly distinctive early-season test for Britain’s top domestic talent.
Featured image: PelotonPix /Dave Dodge Photography
What is it?
Based out of Ilton, Somerset, the race is held entirely within the perimeter of RNAS Merryfield, a working military base. It offers a unique atmosphere on the British domestic scene, trading narrow country lanes for wide, sweeping airfield taxiways. With strict military rules in place—riders face instant disqualification for dropping gel wrappers anywhere near the expensive helicopters—it’s a disciplined but lightning-fast affair.
The race comes with a remarkable backstory this year. It appeared to be a major early-season loss for the South West when the event was cancelled in February after the original organisers stepped down. However, a swift community response saw the Aero CLCTV Race Team step in as organisers within days, salvaging the fixture and keeping it on its original date to ensure the National B calendar remained intact.
Since its inception in 2024, the race has favoured powerful rouleurs and breakaway specialists. Jordan Giles claimed the inaugural open race with a brilliant ride, while last year saw Monte Guerrini out-sprint Jamie Whitcher from a decisive two-up breakaway.
Route
The peloton will tackle 24 laps of a flat, fast circuit following the outer taxiway, bringing the total race distance to an exact 120 kilometres. With long sweeping bends and virtually zero elevation gain, it is a course that encourages a blisteringly high average speed, making it a punishing parcours if the pace is forced. Riders will also need to be mindful of taking the corners smoothly and avoiding the active runways.
On an exposed airfield, the weather is often the ultimate race-maker. If the Somerset winds howl across the tarmac, brutal echelons are all but guaranteed to shatter the peloton early on. Conversely, if conditions are as crisp and still as last year, the race will likely stay tightly knit, requiring a massive seated acceleration to snap the elastic for a late breakaway, or boiling down to a chaotic bunch sprint.
Timings
The race begins at 11.00.
Contenders
Jordan Giles (DAS Richardsons) lines up as a natural favourite on a course he knows intimately. Having won the inaugural edition in 2024, he possesses the raw horsepower and tactical nous to thrive on this circuit. Accompanied by the experienced Simon Alexander, Giles will be heavily marked but is entirely capable of repeating his past success.
Matthew Gilmour (Nopinz RT) arrives with flying early-season form, having just secured a superb second-place finish at the Portsdown Classic. Backed by a newly rebranded squad that features strong talent like Joe Reeves, Gilmour will undoubtedly be hunting for the top step of the podium this time around.
Keep a very close eye on Elijah Kwon (JDS Gardening Edinburgh Bike Fitting RT). The first-category rider animated the race brilliantly here last year, bridging across to the leaders and driving the chase group to ultimately finish a highly impressive fourth. With proven pedigree on this exact circuit, he is a massive threat if the race becomes attritional.
Samuel Nisbet is another name that commands respect as he lines up for his new outfit, Team Tactic U23. Stepping into fresh colours this season, the former 360 Tour of the Northwest stage winner possesses the raw speed and strength to make a serious mark on the airfield tarmac and will be eager to impress.
Pronto Bikes enters their newly launched National Race Team structure with serious intent, boasting the immense diesel engine of Luke Barfoot – who took overall victory at the Totnes Vire stage race last year – making them a formidable collective capable of controlling the pace or launching late flyers.
Schils – Doltcini Racing Team bring Elite-category rider Carl Jolly, stage winner at the Clive Tiley Memorial Stage Race last season, to anchor their roster. And of course, the home squad of Aero CLCTV Race Team, featuring young talents like Elliott Colyer, will be highly motivated to animate the very race they stepped in to save, ensuring an aggressive, hard-fought contest from the drop of the flag.
Taking place on Saturday 7 March, the third edition of the Royal Navy Cup brings the National B peloton to the fast, flat tarmac of Somerset. After a dramatic winter that nearly saw the event vanish from the calendar, this 120km tear-up at RNAS Merryfield provides a crucial and highly distinctive early-season test for Britain’s top domestic talent.
Featured image: PelotonPix /Dave Dodge Photography
What is it?
Based out of Ilton, Somerset, the race is held entirely within the perimeter of RNAS Merryfield, a working military base. It offers a unique atmosphere on the British domestic scene, trading narrow country lanes for wide, sweeping airfield taxiways. With strict military rules in place—riders face instant disqualification for dropping gel wrappers anywhere near the expensive helicopters—it’s a disciplined but lightning-fast affair.
The race comes with a remarkable backstory this year. It appeared to be a major early-season loss for the South West when the event was cancelled in February after the original organisers stepped down. However, a swift community response saw the Aero CLCTV Race Team step in as organisers within days, salvaging the fixture and keeping it on its original date to ensure the National B calendar remained intact.
Since its inception in 2024, the race has favoured powerful rouleurs and breakaway specialists. Jordan Giles claimed the inaugural open race with a brilliant ride, while last year saw Monte Guerrini out-sprint Jamie Whitcher from a decisive two-up breakaway.
Route
The peloton will tackle 24 laps of a flat, fast circuit following the outer taxiway, bringing the total race distance to an exact 120 kilometres. With long sweeping bends and virtually zero elevation gain, it is a course that encourages a blisteringly high average speed, making it a punishing parcours if the pace is forced. Riders will also need to be mindful of taking the corners smoothly and avoiding the active runways.
On an exposed airfield, the weather is often the ultimate race-maker. If the Somerset winds howl across the tarmac, brutal echelons are all but guaranteed to shatter the peloton early on. Conversely, if conditions are as crisp and still as last year, the race will likely stay tightly knit, requiring a massive seated acceleration to snap the elastic for a late breakaway, or boiling down to a chaotic bunch sprint.
Timings
The race begins at 11.00.
Contenders
Jordan Giles (DAS Richardsons) lines up as a natural favourite on a course he knows intimately. Having won the inaugural edition in 2024, he possesses the raw horsepower and tactical nous to thrive on this circuit. Accompanied by the experienced Simon Alexander, Giles will be heavily marked but is entirely capable of repeating his past success.
Matthew Gilmour (Nopinz RT) arrives with flying early-season form, having just secured a superb second-place finish at the Portsdown Classic. Backed by a newly rebranded squad that features strong talent like Joe Reeves, Gilmour will undoubtedly be hunting for the top step of the podium this time around.
Keep a very close eye on Elijah Kwon (JDS Gardening Edinburgh Bike Fitting RT). The first-category rider animated the race brilliantly here last year, bridging across to the leaders and driving the chase group to ultimately finish a highly impressive fourth. With proven pedigree on this exact circuit, he is a massive threat if the race becomes attritional.
Samuel Nisbet is another name that commands respect as he lines up for his new outfit, Team Tactic U23. Stepping into fresh colours this season, the former 360 Tour of the Northwest stage winner possesses the raw speed and strength to make a serious mark on the airfield tarmac and will be eager to impress.
Pronto Bikes enters their newly launched National Race Team structure with serious intent, boasting the immense diesel engine of Luke Barfoot – who took overall victory at the Totnes Vire stage race last year – making them a formidable collective capable of controlling the pace or launching late flyers.
Schils – Doltcini Racing Team bring Elite-category rider Carl Jolly, stage winner at the Clive Tiley Memorial Stage Race last season, to anchor their roster. And of course, the home squad of Aero CLCTV Race Team, featuring young talents like Elliott Colyer, will be highly motivated to animate the very race they stepped in to save, ensuring an aggressive, hard-fought contest from the drop of the flag.
Provisional startlist
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