2026 Banbury Star CC Road Race: report and results
Lily Martin moved clear of Amy Henchoz (Paralloy RT) on the final ascent of The Knowle to win the Banbury Star Road Race on Sunday 17 May, Round 2 of the British Team Cup
Lily Martin moved clear of Amy Henchoz (Paralloy RT) on the final ascent of The Knowle to win the Banbury Star Road Race on Sunday 17 May. The Loughborough Lightning rider’s victory in round two of the British Women’s Team Cup came on a course remodelled around the climb’s first summit finish — and she used it decisively.
North Oxfordshire gave Banbury Star Cyclists’ Club’s signature race a mild, overcast afternoon and a suitably severe finish. The Knowle at Edge Hill — one kilometre, 110 metres of climbing, gradients touching 15% — has long been the climb that shapes this race. For 2026, the organisers made it the finish, asking it not merely to soften the field but to decide the winner.
The bunch reached the foot of the climb for the first time still intact. Over the top, it was anything but. A leading group of six had formed: Ruby Oakes and Anna Boniface (both FTP–Fulfil The Potential Racing), Grace Sargeant (London Academy), Lily Martin (Loughborough Lightning); Jennifer Powell (Performance Development Team, and Amy Henchoz (Paralloy RT).
Image: Mark James
On the second ascent, the selection sharpened again. Martin, Powell and Henchoz went clear, their advantage over their three former companions growing through the next lap. By the third climb, the leading trio held more than two minutes, while the chasers had been reabsorbed by the bunch.
A mechanical on the final lap then settled the race before The Knowle could. Powell was forced into a lone chase, leaving Martin and Henchoz to contest the win. Through the closing kilometres, Martin looked the more composed and controlled of the pair. On the final drag up the climb, that composure told. She attacked decisively, opened a gap that never closed, and crossed the line around 15 seconds clear.
Image: Mark James
Henchoz came across second, denied again on a climbing finale after a similar near-miss behind Anna Morris at Capernwray. Powell finished alone in third, having worked hard to limit her losses.
For Loughborough Lightning, who came into the weekend leading the British Women’s Team Cup standings, Martin’s victory is likely to extend their advantage at the top.
“It was really exciting to be part of a break with such a strong group, so when we got a gap on the first climb I knew I could commit to it,” Martin told The British Continental. “After having a bit of a bumpy start to the season with some injury, it’s just so nice to be back out racing again with the team!”
Lily Martin moved clear of Amy Henchoz (Paralloy RT) on the final ascent of The Knowle to win the Banbury Star Road Race on Sunday 17 May. The Loughborough Lightning rider’s victory in round two of the British Women’s Team Cup came on a course remodelled around the climb’s first summit finish — and she used it decisively.
Featured image: Mark James
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Report
North Oxfordshire gave Banbury Star Cyclists’ Club’s signature race a mild, overcast afternoon and a suitably severe finish. The Knowle at Edge Hill — one kilometre, 110 metres of climbing, gradients touching 15% — has long been the climb that shapes this race. For 2026, the organisers made it the finish, asking it not merely to soften the field but to decide the winner.
The bunch reached the foot of the climb for the first time still intact. Over the top, it was anything but. A leading group of six had formed: Ruby Oakes and Anna Boniface (both FTP–Fulfil The Potential Racing), Grace Sargeant (London Academy), Lily Martin (Loughborough Lightning); Jennifer Powell (Performance Development Team, and Amy Henchoz (Paralloy RT).
On the second ascent, the selection sharpened again. Martin, Powell and Henchoz went clear, their advantage over their three former companions growing through the next lap. By the third climb, the leading trio held more than two minutes, while the chasers had been reabsorbed by the bunch.
A mechanical on the final lap then settled the race before The Knowle could. Powell was forced into a lone chase, leaving Martin and Henchoz to contest the win. Through the closing kilometres, Martin looked the more composed and controlled of the pair. On the final drag up the climb, that composure told. She attacked decisively, opened a gap that never closed, and crossed the line around 15 seconds clear.
Henchoz came across second, denied again on a climbing finale after a similar near-miss behind Anna Morris at Capernwray. Powell finished alone in third, having worked hard to limit her losses.
For Loughborough Lightning, who came into the weekend leading the British Women’s Team Cup standings, Martin’s victory is likely to extend their advantage at the top.
“It was really exciting to be part of a break with such a strong group, so when we got a gap on the first climb I knew I could commit to it,” Martin told The British Continental. “After having a bit of a bumpy start to the season with some injury, it’s just so nice to be back out racing again with the team!”
More to follow.
Results
Provisional results.
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