History boys: the British contingent at the Three Days of Cherbourg
Twenty-two Britons started the Three Days of Cherbourg and two finished in the top 10. Paul Greenhalgh follows them through three stages of Normandy racing and the history they rode past.
The 46th edition of the Three Days of Cherbourg rolled out of town on a dreary Friday afternoon. It was early September and bike racing felt like the last thing on anyone’s mind. The race wasn’t even the biggest thing in town; that honour going to the P&O cruise liner Iona, a huge passenger ship en route to warmer climes. British voices could be heard in the centre of town, mostly complaining about the weather, and the same was true at the Place Napoléon, where the race was due to start. Three British teams were taking part: long-time invitees DAS Richardsons, RideRevolution Coaching and Team PB Performance. Several Brits were representing their French teams, such as Max Krasinski (Team Bricquebec Cotentin), Adam Mitchell (Vendée U) and Alistair Gardner (ASPTT Nancy) and in total the Anglo contingent made up just under a quarter of the 90-rider field.
The three stages would take them through scenes of great historical significance, although this was another thing no one was thinking about
If the amount of English being spoken may have made them feel at home, the weather, cold and wet, would have only added to their sense of familiarity. Cherbourg was showing why it is known for its umbrellas, and after a very low-key presentation, the peloton donned their rain jackets and waited to be waved off by the mayor. The three stages would take them through scenes of great historical significance, although this was another thing no one was thinking about.
Image: Les 3 Jours de Cherbourg
Friday, Stage 1: Titanic
The Iona was moored only a short stroll from the start line. In 1912, Cherbourg was the first stop of the Titanic after it left Southampton, a fact commemorated in the art deco transatlantic passenger terminal which today houses a museum to all things maritime (la Cité de la Mer). It wasn’t long before many in the field were having their own sinking feeling. The first attack, including Michael Gill (DAS Richardsons), went after one kilometre and it took a long while and a succession of further attempts to break the race open, before the field came together again.
Thankfully the rain had stopped by now, although the wind continued to blow and the temperature remained autumnal. The peloton was not intact for long as, after 87 kilometres of the rugged up and down roads of the Cap de la Hague, the decisive attack of eight riders went away. This included several of the local favourites, as well as Mitchell. On the finishing circuit, his teammate, the climber Vincent Bodet bridged across. The French ex-Picnic PostNL development team rider would go on to attack on the punchy finishing circuit and ride away to a solo victory. The small town of Flamanville (home to a château, an international cyclo-cross race and a huge nuclear power station) came out to see the finish, including a group of enthusiastic schoolchildren and the residents of an old folks’ home.
For the next 20 minutes, a succession of muddied and bowed groups rolled over the line
Mitchell finished 3rd (at 43 seconds) and ex-Cycling Sheffield rider David Hird (E Leclerc Ruffec Top 16) followed him home in 16th (at 1.56). Josh Housley and Gabriel Dellar from RideRevolution put in impressive performances to finish in 25th and 27th respectively (both at 3.31) as, for the next 20 minutes, a succession of muddied and bowed groups rolled over the line. The stage had taken no prisoners and witnessed four abandonments, two more outside the time cut-off and a disqualification. Four of the original 22 British riders hadn’t made it, but for those who remained, it was time to take in some post-race nutrition and to hope Saturday’s race would be a little less brutal.
Saturday, Stage 2: 1066 and All That
To the relief of many, Saturday dawned sunny and warm. After yesterday heading south-west, today the race would go south-east. From Tourlaville, a town characterised by a succession of large roundabouts leading into far too many retail parks, it would head to the coast and then through the small port of Barfleur.
This was where, local tradition has it, William the Conqueror’s flagship, the Mora, was built for the Norman invasion of England, a story stitched into the (now starring at the British Museum) Bayeux Tapestry.
Image: Les 3 Jours de Cherbourg
Again, there was an early break and by Barfleur, both Will Perrett (DAS Richardsons) and Ben Bright (ASPTT Nancy) were working to keep their group of 11 away. They would be joined soon after by a counterattack which included both Krasinski and Dellar, and over the course of the stage, 19 riders would go on to establish a lead of around three minutes to the remainder of the peloton.
The stage finish was in Octeville and from a much-reduced field, Emmanuel Morin (Team La Crêpe de Brocéliande) sprinted to victory. Max Krasinski finished 3rd, whilst Dellar was 5th and Bright 8th. Bright would also take over from Gill in the leadership of the Points Competition after his strong day in the breakaway. The lead on GC changed hands to the young French rider Hans Rullier (Mayenne–Monbana–Rapido), whilst Mitchell consolidated his place in the top 10 (6th at 2.37). Dellar jumped up to 8th (at 2.52) and the remaining Britons made it through the stage, including 20-year-old Iestyn Jones (Team PB Performance), who was at this point the team’s leading rider.
Sunday, Stage 3: The German Guns
Sunday’s 145-kilometre final stage took the riders from the Place Jacques Demy (named after the director of the 1964 film, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) into the heart of la Manche, before returning them to the centre of Cherbourg. The finale was the climb of the Montagne du Roule, which the local press somewhat hyperbolically dubbed “L’Alpe d’Huez Cherbourgeoise”. Despite the over-statement, the steep kilometre-long hairpin road was likely to bring an exciting sting-in-the-tail conclusion. In 1944, it serviced the German gun batteries which protected the town from Allied invasion. The presence of the guns was integral to the decision of the British and US forces to land further up the French coast and securing the port of Cherbourg early in the battle for Normandy was crucial to the success of Operation Overlord. Today there is a museum at the top of the climb as well as a succession of spectacular views.
As they progressed to the top, many took longing glances at the crowds above them, wondering just how far was left
Fourteen riders attacked after 52 kilometres, on the climb out of the seaside town of Barneville, but they were brought back, before a smaller group including Sam Abbott (Sportbreizh Axel Armor-Lux) went again and gained 45 seconds on the peloton. Eighty kilometres in and two riders, Ilan Larmet (Team La Crêpe de Brocéliande) and local favourite Maël Zahem (Team Bricquebec Cotentin), rode away from the rest. They would go on to contest an exciting finish. Larmet took the stage victory, but second placed Zahem would find consolation in claiming victory in four of the overall race categories (points, climber, department and region). Riding strongly once more, Mitchell took 6th on the stage, Bright 13th and Dellar 19th. The rest of the field continued to make their way up the climb long after the early finishers had rolled back down to their team cars to share their stories of the day. As they progressed to the top, many took longing glances at the crowds above them, wondering just how far was left. A total of eight further riders failed to finish, highlighting just what a tough three days this had been.
Image: Les 3 Jours de Cherbourg
The GC was won by Rullier. After a highly successful season, he seems destined to go to the pros in 2027, whilst the runner-up Pierre Choblet (VC Pays de Loudéac) is already confirmed with the CIC Pro Cycling Academy. The French transfer window is well and truly open now, and it will be interesting to see if any of the UK contingent makes a similar step up on the back of their 2026 form (NB: all the moves can be tracked on the directvelo.com website).
Success-wise, it was a mixed picture for the British. Adam Mitchell was 7th on GC, Gabriel Dellar 8th and David Hird 18th, and to the home-based teams and riders, it was a reminder (should it be needed) of the value of racing on the continent. Some, such as Matthew Lord (DAS Richardsons), were returning to familiar surroundings having been with the local team in 2025, whilst for others this was a first taste of French stage racing.
It was late afternoon and in the port of Cherbourg, the cross-channel ferry, the Barfleur, was preparing for its evening sailing to Poole. Due to cost cutting, this service is due to end in October. Despite this, the many and varied links between the UK and this part of France seem likely to continue for some time to come.
The 46th edition of the Three Days of Cherbourg rolled out of town on a dreary Friday afternoon. It was early September and bike racing felt like the last thing on anyone’s mind. The race wasn’t even the biggest thing in town; that honour going to the P&O cruise liner Iona, a huge passenger ship en route to warmer climes. British voices could be heard in the centre of town, mostly complaining about the weather, and the same was true at the Place Napoléon, where the race was due to start. Three British teams were taking part: long-time invitees DAS Richardsons, RideRevolution Coaching and Team PB Performance. Several Brits were representing their French teams, such as Max Krasinski (Team Bricquebec Cotentin), Adam Mitchell (Vendée U) and Alistair Gardner (ASPTT Nancy) and in total the Anglo contingent made up just under a quarter of the 90-rider field.
If the amount of English being spoken may have made them feel at home, the weather, cold and wet, would have only added to their sense of familiarity. Cherbourg was showing why it is known for its umbrellas, and after a very low-key presentation, the peloton donned their rain jackets and waited to be waved off by the mayor. The three stages would take them through scenes of great historical significance, although this was another thing no one was thinking about.
Friday, Stage 1: Titanic
The Iona was moored only a short stroll from the start line. In 1912, Cherbourg was the first stop of the Titanic after it left Southampton, a fact commemorated in the art deco transatlantic passenger terminal which today houses a museum to all things maritime (la Cité de la Mer). It wasn’t long before many in the field were having their own sinking feeling. The first attack, including Michael Gill (DAS Richardsons), went after one kilometre and it took a long while and a succession of further attempts to break the race open, before the field came together again.
Thankfully the rain had stopped by now, although the wind continued to blow and the temperature remained autumnal. The peloton was not intact for long as, after 87 kilometres of the rugged up and down roads of the Cap de la Hague, the decisive attack of eight riders went away. This included several of the local favourites, as well as Mitchell. On the finishing circuit, his teammate, the climber Vincent Bodet bridged across. The French ex-Picnic PostNL development team rider would go on to attack on the punchy finishing circuit and ride away to a solo victory. The small town of Flamanville (home to a château, an international cyclo-cross race and a huge nuclear power station) came out to see the finish, including a group of enthusiastic schoolchildren and the residents of an old folks’ home.
Mitchell finished 3rd (at 43 seconds) and ex-Cycling Sheffield rider David Hird (E Leclerc Ruffec Top 16) followed him home in 16th (at 1.56). Josh Housley and Gabriel Dellar from RideRevolution put in impressive performances to finish in 25th and 27th respectively (both at 3.31) as, for the next 20 minutes, a succession of muddied and bowed groups rolled over the line. The stage had taken no prisoners and witnessed four abandonments, two more outside the time cut-off and a disqualification. Four of the original 22 British riders hadn’t made it, but for those who remained, it was time to take in some post-race nutrition and to hope Saturday’s race would be a little less brutal.
Saturday, Stage 2: 1066 and All That
To the relief of many, Saturday dawned sunny and warm. After yesterday heading south-west, today the race would go south-east. From Tourlaville, a town characterised by a succession of large roundabouts leading into far too many retail parks, it would head to the coast and then through the small port of Barfleur.
This was where, local tradition has it, William the Conqueror’s flagship, the Mora, was built for the Norman invasion of England, a story stitched into the (now starring at the British Museum) Bayeux Tapestry.
Again, there was an early break and by Barfleur, both Will Perrett (DAS Richardsons) and Ben Bright (ASPTT Nancy) were working to keep their group of 11 away. They would be joined soon after by a counterattack which included both Krasinski and Dellar, and over the course of the stage, 19 riders would go on to establish a lead of around three minutes to the remainder of the peloton.
The stage finish was in Octeville and from a much-reduced field, Emmanuel Morin (Team La Crêpe de Brocéliande) sprinted to victory. Max Krasinski finished 3rd, whilst Dellar was 5th and Bright 8th. Bright would also take over from Gill in the leadership of the Points Competition after his strong day in the breakaway. The lead on GC changed hands to the young French rider Hans Rullier (Mayenne–Monbana–Rapido), whilst Mitchell consolidated his place in the top 10 (6th at 2.37). Dellar jumped up to 8th (at 2.52) and the remaining Britons made it through the stage, including 20-year-old Iestyn Jones (Team PB Performance), who was at this point the team’s leading rider.
Sunday, Stage 3: The German Guns
Sunday’s 145-kilometre final stage took the riders from the Place Jacques Demy (named after the director of the 1964 film, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) into the heart of la Manche, before returning them to the centre of Cherbourg. The finale was the climb of the Montagne du Roule, which the local press somewhat hyperbolically dubbed “L’Alpe d’Huez Cherbourgeoise”. Despite the over-statement, the steep kilometre-long hairpin road was likely to bring an exciting sting-in-the-tail conclusion. In 1944, it serviced the German gun batteries which protected the town from Allied invasion. The presence of the guns was integral to the decision of the British and US forces to land further up the French coast and securing the port of Cherbourg early in the battle for Normandy was crucial to the success of Operation Overlord. Today there is a museum at the top of the climb as well as a succession of spectacular views.
Fourteen riders attacked after 52 kilometres, on the climb out of the seaside town of Barneville, but they were brought back, before a smaller group including Sam Abbott (Sportbreizh Axel Armor-Lux) went again and gained 45 seconds on the peloton. Eighty kilometres in and two riders, Ilan Larmet (Team La Crêpe de Brocéliande) and local favourite Maël Zahem (Team Bricquebec Cotentin), rode away from the rest. They would go on to contest an exciting finish. Larmet took the stage victory, but second placed Zahem would find consolation in claiming victory in four of the overall race categories (points, climber, department and region). Riding strongly once more, Mitchell took 6th on the stage, Bright 13th and Dellar 19th. The rest of the field continued to make their way up the climb long after the early finishers had rolled back down to their team cars to share their stories of the day. As they progressed to the top, many took longing glances at the crowds above them, wondering just how far was left. A total of eight further riders failed to finish, highlighting just what a tough three days this had been.
The GC was won by Rullier. After a highly successful season, he seems destined to go to the pros in 2027, whilst the runner-up Pierre Choblet (VC Pays de Loudéac) is already confirmed with the CIC Pro Cycling Academy. The French transfer window is well and truly open now, and it will be interesting to see if any of the UK contingent makes a similar step up on the back of their 2026 form (NB: all the moves can be tracked on the directvelo.com website).
Success-wise, it was a mixed picture for the British. Adam Mitchell was 7th on GC, Gabriel Dellar 8th and David Hird 18th, and to the home-based teams and riders, it was a reminder (should it be needed) of the value of racing on the continent. Some, such as Matthew Lord (DAS Richardsons), were returning to familiar surroundings having been with the local team in 2025, whilst for others this was a first taste of French stage racing.
It was late afternoon and in the port of Cherbourg, the cross-channel ferry, the Barfleur, was preparing for its evening sailing to Poole. Due to cost cutting, this service is due to end in October. Despite this, the many and varied links between the UK and this part of France seem likely to continue for some time to come.
Featured image: Les 3 Jours de Cherbourg
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