Two surprise winners, two new leaders’ jerseys, and eight clear talking points. From Katie Scott’s statement ride and Lucas Jowett’s breakthrough to tactical errors, missed chances and the wider shape of the National Road Series, East Cleveland left plenty to unpick.
As the dust settles on two of the most unpredictable, and tactically fascinating battles the National Road Series has seen in recent years at the East Cleveland Classic on Sunday, the British Continental takes a closer look at the key talking points from Saltburn where Lucas Jowett and Katie Scott ran out as surprise winners, seizing control of the National Road Series standings in the process.
Katie Scott’s perfect performance puts the UCI Continental teams to the sword
It was the perfect performance from Katie Scott, the 24-year-old oozing class from the opening pedal strokes as she set about completing a victory beyond expectations for a rider who found herself outside of the UCI Continental ranks this season, having never won a road race prior to Sunday.
On the front foot throughout, she showed tactical maturity to wait for breakaway companion Anna Flynn despite dropping the Scot on the penultimate ascent of Saltburn Bank, deciding that the safer option would be to work together with still 25km to race, before repeating the process on the steep slopes leading up to the line.
It was an excellent day all round for her Paralloy RT, the Elite Development Team not only taking an outstanding, and rare, victory against UCI opposition at their home race, but also having the in-form Amy Henchoz finish inside the top-12 after she continued her fine form from Capernwray, riding well in the second group on the road as the race started to whittle down in its latter stages.
Katie Scott of Paralloy wins. Image: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
Everything but the win for Handsling Alba Development Road Team
With two riders on the podium and another finishing in sixth, it seems harsh to be critical of Bob Lyons’ team, but it should be a case of the glass being half empty, rather than half full, during their race debrief.
The UCI Continental outfit were clearly the strongest collective in the race and a key tactical blunder cost them the victory as they let their strength and superior numbers slip.
At the end of the first lap the dangerous five rider break was all but neutralised on Saltburn Bank – Scott and Alba’s Anna Flynn the only two to survive, despite being metres from being caught. With multiple riders swarming at the front of the bunch, Handsling Alba should have made their number, and legs, count by firing another rider into the break, or shutting it down all together, rather than leave it as a one on one scenario as the race progressed.
With Kate Richardson almost going clear herself on Saltburn Bank later, and Beth Morrow attacking to take the final spot on the podium, it is not unreasonable to say the team will be disappointed not to have won given the circumstances.
Image: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
What happened to DAS–Hutchinson?
When the break went clear on the opening lap the potential was always there for it to stay clear – the likes of Scott, Flynn, Grace Sargeant (London Academy), and Anna Morris not riders you would want to let escape without representation alongside them.
Yet DAS–Hutchinson, a team associated with dominating National Road Series races, were nowhere to be seen.
Having missed the move, they did little to bring it back – their collective only seen at the back of the peloton largely anonymous, something that did not change throughout the race – their best finisher Morven Yeoman in a distant 23rd.
The team were not aided by the withdrawals of defending champion Alice McWilliam and series leader Noémie Thomson, however the team had enough strength in depth to still expect better.
Will we see a statement at Lincoln in four weeks’ time?
Image: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
Jo Tindley proves her class with Lincoln on the horizon
If there was a combativity award on offer then it would be hard to find a jury who would not have unanimously handed it to Smurfit Westrock’s Jo Tindley – the 38-year-old proving she still has what it takes by attacking from the bunch not once, but twice in pursuit of the leaders.
It was a valiant effort and while she was well rewarded with 4th place, it was a display of strength which puts her right in the frame for glory at her home race, the Lincoln Grand Prix in four weeks’ time, as she returns again to the scene of her greatest triumph – the 2021 National Circuit Race Championship.
Image: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
Heartbreak again for Tom Martin
The open race was a nail biting affair ridden at an infernal tempo, with attack very much the best form of defence.
When Tom Martin appeared in the leading group of 20 midway through the race alarm bells must have started to sound for those around him – third last year, the East Cleveland course suits his attacking style perfectly.
Although he was only briefly allowed away on his favoured solo escapes in the final stages of the race, Martin once again proved he is a rider who you can never discount as he came again agonisingly close to a maiden National Road Series win. The Cumbrian missed out only in the sprint on Glenside to Lucas Jowett, acknowledging he was beaten by the better man as he crossed the line – so close, but yet again so far from the win he desires.
With more opportunities to come starting with the CiCLE Classic in a fortnight, don’t be surprised if 2026 is the year Martin finally lands a big win on UK soil.
Image: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
RideRevolution Coaching CT have quietly assembled an excellent team
When you think of the powerhouse teams in the domestic scene your mind is perhaps automatically drawn to the strength in depth of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli, or the youthful talent housed at JAKROO Handsling. Yet the winners of the team prize were RideRevolution Coaching CT – winter signing Josh Housley picking up an impressive 5th, Clay Davies riding to an excellent 7th, and Caleb Pain coming home just ahead of the remains of the peloton in 9th.
With Gabriel Dellar also in the top-15, their collective performance underlined the fact that despite them not having a proven National A winner in their ranks, they have genuine strength in depth, with the perfect blend of experience and youth.
Winning the team classification for the National Road Series is not out of their reach, and the question is now perhaps when, not if, they will be considered as a team worthy of a seat at the top table of the domestic scene.
Image: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
Is racing abroad the best way to start the season?
What do Lucas Jowett, Tom Martin, Matt King, and George Radcliffe all have in common?
Not only did they impress on the rolling terrain of North Yorkshire on Sunday afternoon, but they all have raced the majority of their programmes abroad so far this season – with Martin’s 6th at Capernwray, and King’s win in the East Midlands Criterium Championships round on Saturday the two standout performances on home soil this season before Sunday’s race.
A diet of tough 1.1 races in Belgium seemed to prepare Radcliffe and King well for the challenges of UK racing, the pair responding well to the uncontrolled nature of proceedings in East Cleveland – King climbing well for a sprinter at the head of the race, while Radcliffe lit up Saltburn Bank with a series of stinging attacks behind.
Martin’s sole road outing prior to Capernwray at the start of April was the Tour of Rhodes, where he was a teammate to his adversary today, Jowett, who hasn’t raced in the UK since the National Championships last year. Instead he has raced a comprehensive European programme, spending last week climbing the Mur de Huy in Belgium – seemingly the ideal preparation for multiple ascents of Saltburn Bank.
It could just be a coincidence that these four riders chose to start their seasons overseas having looked so strong today, but the high level and intensity of UCI racing on the continent will have certainly done them no harm.
Image: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
The race for the National Road Series titles remains wide open
Few would have had Lucas Jowett and Katie Scott on their bingo card as National Road Series leaders on Sunday night, but heading into Lincoln we’re blessed with two wide open races for the series titles with everything to play for.
Scott will have to be taken seriously as a real contender by the UCI teams – her 7th place in the CiCLE Classic evidence of her ability to produce results on any course, with the National Road Series often about consistency above all else.
Expect fireworks at Lincoln where the UCI teams will come out swinging, the race also part of the Rapha Super-League, which Scott may also have one eye on now, confirming after the race she would also be riding the National Circuit Series in the summer.
Jowett meanwhile may well redesign the second part of his season around the National Road Series – Lincoln currently the only round in his plan. However, courses such as Lancaster, South Molton, and the North Yorkshire Grand Prix are likely to suit his obvious ability as a climber, with plenty of opportunities to stamp his authority on the series ahead.
Wanting to take the leader’s jersey off him are a number of riders with series pedigree – the consistent Tom Martin can not be discounted after another strong performance, his Wheelbase CabTech Castelli team also likely to return to full strength and feature more in future rounds.
The JAKROO Handsling duo of Rowan Baker and Will Truelove didn’t quite make the right moves, finishing in 20th and 38th respectively, although both riders know their day will come – Baker looking to reach the highs of winning the East Cleveland Classic in 2024, while Truelove finished second to his teammate Adam Howell in the series overall last season.
Josh Housley meanwhile could be the season’s surprise package – his 5th place today his best National Road Series result to date and only enhancing his growing reputation. Has the Nottinghamshire rider taken another step after a breakthrough season at National B level in 2024?
Ultimately, the road will decide. But Sunday’s races set the scene for an intriguing season-long battle that could see this year’s National Road Series last long in the memory.
As the dust settles on two of the most unpredictable, and tactically fascinating battles the National Road Series has seen in recent years at the East Cleveland Classic on Sunday, the British Continental takes a closer look at the key talking points from Saltburn where Lucas Jowett and Katie Scott ran out as surprise winners, seizing control of the National Road Series standings in the process.
Katie Scott’s perfect performance puts the UCI Continental teams to the sword
It was the perfect performance from Katie Scott, the 24-year-old oozing class from the opening pedal strokes as she set about completing a victory beyond expectations for a rider who found herself outside of the UCI Continental ranks this season, having never won a road race prior to Sunday.
On the front foot throughout, she showed tactical maturity to wait for breakaway companion Anna Flynn despite dropping the Scot on the penultimate ascent of Saltburn Bank, deciding that the safer option would be to work together with still 25km to race, before repeating the process on the steep slopes leading up to the line.
It was an excellent day all round for her Paralloy RT, the Elite Development Team not only taking an outstanding, and rare, victory against UCI opposition at their home race, but also having the in-form Amy Henchoz finish inside the top-12 after she continued her fine form from Capernwray, riding well in the second group on the road as the race started to whittle down in its latter stages.
Everything but the win for Handsling Alba Development Road Team
With two riders on the podium and another finishing in sixth, it seems harsh to be critical of Bob Lyons’ team, but it should be a case of the glass being half empty, rather than half full, during their race debrief.
The UCI Continental outfit were clearly the strongest collective in the race and a key tactical blunder cost them the victory as they let their strength and superior numbers slip.
At the end of the first lap the dangerous five rider break was all but neutralised on Saltburn Bank – Scott and Alba’s Anna Flynn the only two to survive, despite being metres from being caught. With multiple riders swarming at the front of the bunch, Handsling Alba should have made their number, and legs, count by firing another rider into the break, or shutting it down all together, rather than leave it as a one on one scenario as the race progressed.
With Kate Richardson almost going clear herself on Saltburn Bank later, and Beth Morrow attacking to take the final spot on the podium, it is not unreasonable to say the team will be disappointed not to have won given the circumstances.
What happened to DAS–Hutchinson?
When the break went clear on the opening lap the potential was always there for it to stay clear – the likes of Scott, Flynn, Grace Sargeant (London Academy), and Anna Morris not riders you would want to let escape without representation alongside them.
Yet DAS–Hutchinson, a team associated with dominating National Road Series races, were nowhere to be seen.
Having missed the move, they did little to bring it back – their collective only seen at the back of the peloton largely anonymous, something that did not change throughout the race – their best finisher Morven Yeoman in a distant 23rd.
The team were not aided by the withdrawals of defending champion Alice McWilliam and series leader Noémie Thomson, however the team had enough strength in depth to still expect better.
Will we see a statement at Lincoln in four weeks’ time?
Jo Tindley proves her class with Lincoln on the horizon
If there was a combativity award on offer then it would be hard to find a jury who would not have unanimously handed it to Smurfit Westrock’s Jo Tindley – the 38-year-old proving she still has what it takes by attacking from the bunch not once, but twice in pursuit of the leaders.
It was a valiant effort and while she was well rewarded with 4th place, it was a display of strength which puts her right in the frame for glory at her home race, the Lincoln Grand Prix in four weeks’ time, as she returns again to the scene of her greatest triumph – the 2021 National Circuit Race Championship.
Heartbreak again for Tom Martin
The open race was a nail biting affair ridden at an infernal tempo, with attack very much the best form of defence.
When Tom Martin appeared in the leading group of 20 midway through the race alarm bells must have started to sound for those around him – third last year, the East Cleveland course suits his attacking style perfectly.
Although he was only briefly allowed away on his favoured solo escapes in the final stages of the race, Martin once again proved he is a rider who you can never discount as he came again agonisingly close to a maiden National Road Series win. The Cumbrian missed out only in the sprint on Glenside to Lucas Jowett, acknowledging he was beaten by the better man as he crossed the line – so close, but yet again so far from the win he desires.
With more opportunities to come starting with the CiCLE Classic in a fortnight, don’t be surprised if 2026 is the year Martin finally lands a big win on UK soil.
RideRevolution Coaching CT have quietly assembled an excellent team
When you think of the powerhouse teams in the domestic scene your mind is perhaps automatically drawn to the strength in depth of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli, or the youthful talent housed at JAKROO Handsling. Yet the winners of the team prize were RideRevolution Coaching CT – winter signing Josh Housley picking up an impressive 5th, Clay Davies riding to an excellent 7th, and Caleb Pain coming home just ahead of the remains of the peloton in 9th.
With Gabriel Dellar also in the top-15, their collective performance underlined the fact that despite them not having a proven National A winner in their ranks, they have genuine strength in depth, with the perfect blend of experience and youth.
Winning the team classification for the National Road Series is not out of their reach, and the question is now perhaps when, not if, they will be considered as a team worthy of a seat at the top table of the domestic scene.
Is racing abroad the best way to start the season?
What do Lucas Jowett, Tom Martin, Matt King, and George Radcliffe all have in common?
Not only did they impress on the rolling terrain of North Yorkshire on Sunday afternoon, but they all have raced the majority of their programmes abroad so far this season – with Martin’s 6th at Capernwray, and King’s win in the East Midlands Criterium Championships round on Saturday the two standout performances on home soil this season before Sunday’s race.
A diet of tough 1.1 races in Belgium seemed to prepare Radcliffe and King well for the challenges of UK racing, the pair responding well to the uncontrolled nature of proceedings in East Cleveland – King climbing well for a sprinter at the head of the race, while Radcliffe lit up Saltburn Bank with a series of stinging attacks behind.
Martin’s sole road outing prior to Capernwray at the start of April was the Tour of Rhodes, where he was a teammate to his adversary today, Jowett, who hasn’t raced in the UK since the National Championships last year. Instead he has raced a comprehensive European programme, spending last week climbing the Mur de Huy in Belgium – seemingly the ideal preparation for multiple ascents of Saltburn Bank.
It could just be a coincidence that these four riders chose to start their seasons overseas having looked so strong today, but the high level and intensity of UCI racing on the continent will have certainly done them no harm.
The race for the National Road Series titles remains wide open
Few would have had Lucas Jowett and Katie Scott on their bingo card as National Road Series leaders on Sunday night, but heading into Lincoln we’re blessed with two wide open races for the series titles with everything to play for.
Scott will have to be taken seriously as a real contender by the UCI teams – her 7th place in the CiCLE Classic evidence of her ability to produce results on any course, with the National Road Series often about consistency above all else.
Expect fireworks at Lincoln where the UCI teams will come out swinging, the race also part of the Rapha Super-League, which Scott may also have one eye on now, confirming after the race she would also be riding the National Circuit Series in the summer.
Jowett meanwhile may well redesign the second part of his season around the National Road Series – Lincoln currently the only round in his plan. However, courses such as Lancaster, South Molton, and the North Yorkshire Grand Prix are likely to suit his obvious ability as a climber, with plenty of opportunities to stamp his authority on the series ahead.
Wanting to take the leader’s jersey off him are a number of riders with series pedigree – the consistent Tom Martin can not be discounted after another strong performance, his Wheelbase CabTech Castelli team also likely to return to full strength and feature more in future rounds.
The JAKROO Handsling duo of Rowan Baker and Will Truelove didn’t quite make the right moves, finishing in 20th and 38th respectively, although both riders know their day will come – Baker looking to reach the highs of winning the East Cleveland Classic in 2024, while Truelove finished second to his teammate Adam Howell in the series overall last season.
Josh Housley meanwhile could be the season’s surprise package – his 5th place today his best National Road Series result to date and only enhancing his growing reputation. Has the Nottinghamshire rider taken another step after a breakthrough season at National B level in 2024?
Ultimately, the road will decide. But Sunday’s races set the scene for an intriguing season-long battle that could see this year’s National Road Series last long in the memory.
Featured image: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
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