The Danum Trophy isn’t just another early-season National B – it’s a rite of passage. A true hardman’s classic, forged on South Yorkshire’s rolling, wind-scoured roads. First run in 1969, it returns this Sunday, 6 April, for its 52nd edition, offering a stern test of form, grit, and race craft.
The Danum Trophy isn’t just another early-season National B – it’s a rite of passage. A true hardman’s classic, forged on South Yorkshire’s rolling, wind-scoured roads. First run in 1969, it returns this Sunday for its 52nd edition, offering a stern test of form, grit, and race craft.
Here is our preview.
Featured image: Joe Hudson
What is it
A true hardman’s classic, the Danum Trophy marks a welcome return to the early-season road racing calendar in South Yorkshire this Sunday. First run in 1969 by the Birdwell Wheelers, the race is now promoted by Doncaster Wheelers C.C. and celebrates its 52nd edition in 2025.
It’s also a race with serious pedigree. Its list of previous winners reads like a who’s who of British road racing’s toughest operators — Chris Parkinson, ‘Ticker’ Mullins, Arthur Metcalfe, Nigel Bloor (twice), Martin Young (twice), Charlie Moody, Chris Walker, Bernie Burns (twice), Neil Martin (twice), John Tanner, Russ Downing, Graham Briggs (twice), and triple winner Wayne Randle. More recently, Tom Pidcock (2017), Matt Holmes (2018), and last year’s winner Damien Clayton have added their names to the honour roll.
Clayton beats John Archibald in 2024. Image: Joe Hudson
Route
The Danum Trophy’s modern circuit is as honest as they come – no frills, no hiding places. Riders face 12.25 laps of a 9.5km loop around Sprotbrough and High Melton, making up a punchy 117km and packing in over 1,500 metres of climbing. That’s National B terrain at its finest – rolling, exposed, and unrelenting.
The circuit’s focal point comes a third of the way through each lap: a 1.5km climb out of Denaby Ings Nature Reserve up to Cadeby. Averaging 4.1%, with a stinging 11% ramp after 1km, it’s a proper power climb – and a likely launchpad for attacks. Expect riders to be strung out both going up and over, especially as fatigue mounts and the elastic begins to snap.
The long uphill drag to the line in High Melton provides the final sting. It’s a finish that rewards patience and timing, with a tactical sprint or late solo move both in play.
The conditions look set fair for Sunday: sunshine and a light breeze are forecast. But make no mistake – this is still a war of attrition. On this circuit, the terrain alone is enough to separate the contenders from the rest.
Timings
Race start (approx)
10.00
Race finish (approx)
Not stated
Riders to watch
Adam Howell (Muc-Off–SRCT–Storck) has been the standout rider of the early season. The 20-year-old leads the national rankings with 180 points after a storming start for his new team. Howell claimed victory at the Kennel Hill Classic last weekend, his second National B road race win of 2025, launching a well-timed attack on the final climb to drop all rivals. That followed an impressive performance at the Peaks 2 Day stage race, where he won the opening stage solo and finished second overall. Howell’s consistency – a win, multiple podiums, and aggressive riding – marks him as a top favourite. He’s shown he can handle crosswinds and climbs alike, and he’ll be keen to translate that form into a one-day win on Sunday.
Beldon wins at the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race. Image: Gary Main
Supporting Howell is a trio of talented teammates. Alex Beldon, 19, announced himself by winning the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race last Sunday. A former Trinity Racing rider, Beldon used a late escape to take his first win in Muc-Off colors. This will be the youngster’s first Danum Trophy at the senior level, but his confidence is sky-high. Ed Morgan adds firepower and experience. The 24-year-old Welshman has won multiple National B races in recent seasons and finished 6th in this race last year. Now with Muc-Off, Morgan has started 2025 strongly: he placed 3rd at the Portsdown Classic in February and 5th at Kennel Hill, showcasing consistency. Will Truelove, 23, rounds out Muc-Off’s quartet. He took an impressive 3rd overall at the Peaks 2 Day stage race behind only Baker and Howell, proving his form and endurance. This will be Truelove’s first serious crack at the Danum Trophy; a strong result could further cement his rising status. With four riders of this calibre, Muc-Off–SRCT–Storck will likely animate the race.
Among the teams aiming to spoil Muc-Off’s party is Wheelbase CabTech Castelli, led by James McKay and Tom Armstrong. McKay, 28, was one of the most consistent performers on the domestic scene in the last two years and is arguably Wheelbase’s most significant off-season signing. The former Saint Piran rider racked up multiple top tens in the National Road Series in 2024, including podium finishes – most notably second at the Lancaster Grand Prix and third at the East Cleveland Classic. He also demonstrated his affinity for the Danum Trophy’s demands by taking fifth here last year. Now stepping into a leadership role, the fast-finishing Sheffield native will look to capitalise on his form and experience. Backing him is 30-year-old Tom Armstrong, an experienced journeyman in the domestic peloton. Armstrong’s career has seen him race on the continent – including a stint with a Spanish Continental squad – and he now brings valuable horsepower back to British roads for Wheelbase. Armstrong’s diesel engine and tactical nous in the crosswinds will be a major asset on the exposed Danum circuit.
Armstrong at the 2024 Capernwray road race. Image: Ellen Isherwood
When it comes to race-savvy contenders, few in this field can match the pedigree of Bradley Symonds. Now 27, Symonds spent the past four years racing at UCI Continental level – most recently with Saint Piran – and has stepped into a leadership role at the new Raptor Factory Racing team. Last year, Symonds proved he can excel on this course by claiming third in the Danum Trophy, only beaten by Damien Clayton and John Archibald. That podium finish – earned under brutal wind conditions – will give Symonds plenty of confidence heading into this year’s edition.
Beyond the big teams, there are a number of riders who have been turning heads on the domestic circuit and could spring a surprise in Doncaster.
Last year’s runner-up, John Archibald, returns to the Danum Trophy with unfinished business. The 34-year-old put in a vintage display in 2024, breaking clear with Damien Clayton before narrowly missing out in a two-up sprint. That ride, combined with a runner-up finish at the Drummond Trophy and multiple time trial wins last season, confirmed the HUUB WattShop rider’s class and consistency. A former Commonwealth Games medallist on the track and British 25-mile time trial champion, Archibald brings an elite engine and vast experience. He’s already shown good form in 2025 too, taking fifth at the Evesham Vale Road Race and notching solid TT results. If the race splits or a strong group edges clear, Archibald is almost certain to be there. And if he goes solo, few will be able to bring him back.
Archibald leads the break in the 2024 edition of the Danum Trophy. Image: Joe Hudson
Josh Housley is coming off a breakthrough 2024 campaign and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the new season. Last year, he finally bagged his first National B win with a solo victory at the London Dynamo Summer Road Race in June. His 2024 results included a strong seventh-place finish at the Danum Trophy, giving him valuable course knowledge heading into this weekend. This year, he’s had a quieter start while adjusting to his new Primera-TeamJobs set-up. His best showing so far has been 12th at the Kennel Hill Classic. But Housley is not a rider to overlook. As he told The British Continental last year, his consistency over the years has finally started to bear fruit. If that progression continues, we could see him find form just in time for Danum.
George Peden of Team PB Performance also brings serious engine power to the start line. Known for his time trialling prowess, he recently underlined his form by storming to victory in the Cleveland Wheelers 21.6-mile time trial last month, setting a new personal best. But he’s far from just a TT specialist – he showed his road racing ability at Peaks 2 Day, where he finished sixth overall in the open race after two tough days of hilly, windswept racing. That performance suggests his fitness and climbing form are right where they need to be.
Joshua Horsfield (Reflex Nopinz) has arguably been a breakthrough rider of the early season. He kicked off 2025 with a string of impressive results: a top-ten finish (ninth) at the Portsdown Classic opener, followed by sixth at the Evesham Vale Road Race, among a series of consistent performances. He’s already picked up over 100 ranking points for his team and currently sits inside the top ten in our national standings.
2025 Lloyds National Track Championships – National Cycling Centre, Manchester, England – Men Scratch Qualification – Alexander Ball. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
One of the most exciting under-23 prospects in the race, Alex Ball has started 2025 in superb form. He took an impressive second place at the Gifford Road Race in mid-March. Ball rides for the new BCC Race Team and appears to be flourishing, carrying momentum from a strong 2024 season. Last year he racked up National B victories and National A top tens: he won the Straiton Struggle road race in Scotland, finished fourth in the prestigious Beaumont Trophy, and landed a podium in the Hugh Dornan Memorial race. Those results showed he can mix it with the best in Britain.
A Yorkshireman through and through, Ben Pease (Moonglu Spatzwear) is perfectly suited to a race like the Danum Trophy. He’s had a slow start to 2025, with a DNF at the Peaks Two-Day leaving him still seeking his first points. That said, his 2024 form suggests he could be a serious contender if he rediscovers his rhythm. Last year he won the CAMS Ronde van Wymeswold stage race overall, combining a stage win with consistent finishes.
The start list runs deep, and beyond the names above, there are plenty of others who could spring a surprise. Will Perrett of DAS Richardsons brings a track endurance pedigree and followed 11th in this race last year with 6th at the East Cleveland Classic. His teammate – a recent interviewee – Frank Longstaff is a powerhouse sprinter who had an outstanding 2024 season that included a stage win at the UCI 2.2 Tour of Albania and victory in the inaugural Cambridge Criterium. He has carried that winning form into 2025, most recently taking a sprint victory at the March Hare Classic circuit race. New Dolan Factory Racing signings prolific track talent, Rhys Britton and Will Roberts are also ones to watch. Britton, a Saint Piran rider last season, helped Great Britain win team pursuit silver at the 2024 World Championships. His road form is unknown, but his pedigree suggests he could still play a significant role. Roberts was a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in 2022 and is known for his savvy in circuit races – he won a Tour Series round in 2021 and notched four top-ten finishes in last year’s National Circuit Series. He will look to translate that speed into results on the road this season.
The Danum Trophy isn’t just another early-season National B – it’s a rite of passage. A true hardman’s classic, forged on South Yorkshire’s rolling, wind-scoured roads. First run in 1969, it returns this Sunday for its 52nd edition, offering a stern test of form, grit, and race craft.
Here is our preview.
Featured image: Joe Hudson
What is it
A true hardman’s classic, the Danum Trophy marks a welcome return to the early-season road racing calendar in South Yorkshire this Sunday. First run in 1969 by the Birdwell Wheelers, the race is now promoted by Doncaster Wheelers C.C. and celebrates its 52nd edition in 2025.
It’s also a race with serious pedigree. Its list of previous winners reads like a who’s who of British road racing’s toughest operators — Chris Parkinson, ‘Ticker’ Mullins, Arthur Metcalfe, Nigel Bloor (twice), Martin Young (twice), Charlie Moody, Chris Walker, Bernie Burns (twice), Neil Martin (twice), John Tanner, Russ Downing, Graham Briggs (twice), and triple winner Wayne Randle. More recently, Tom Pidcock (2017), Matt Holmes (2018), and last year’s winner Damien Clayton have added their names to the honour roll.
Route
The Danum Trophy’s modern circuit is as honest as they come – no frills, no hiding places. Riders face 12.25 laps of a 9.5km loop around Sprotbrough and High Melton, making up a punchy 117km and packing in over 1,500 metres of climbing. That’s National B terrain at its finest – rolling, exposed, and unrelenting.
The circuit’s focal point comes a third of the way through each lap: a 1.5km climb out of Denaby Ings Nature Reserve up to Cadeby. Averaging 4.1%, with a stinging 11% ramp after 1km, it’s a proper power climb – and a likely launchpad for attacks. Expect riders to be strung out both going up and over, especially as fatigue mounts and the elastic begins to snap.
The long uphill drag to the line in High Melton provides the final sting. It’s a finish that rewards patience and timing, with a tactical sprint or late solo move both in play.
The conditions look set fair for Sunday: sunshine and a light breeze are forecast. But make no mistake – this is still a war of attrition. On this circuit, the terrain alone is enough to separate the contenders from the rest.
Timings
Riders to watch
Adam Howell (Muc-Off–SRCT–Storck) has been the standout rider of the early season. The 20-year-old leads the national rankings with 180 points after a storming start for his new team. Howell claimed victory at the Kennel Hill Classic last weekend, his second National B road race win of 2025, launching a well-timed attack on the final climb to drop all rivals. That followed an impressive performance at the Peaks 2 Day stage race, where he won the opening stage solo and finished second overall. Howell’s consistency – a win, multiple podiums, and aggressive riding – marks him as a top favourite. He’s shown he can handle crosswinds and climbs alike, and he’ll be keen to translate that form into a one-day win on Sunday.
Supporting Howell is a trio of talented teammates. Alex Beldon, 19, announced himself by winning the PB Performance Espoirs Road Race last Sunday. A former Trinity Racing rider, Beldon used a late escape to take his first win in Muc-Off colors. This will be the youngster’s first Danum Trophy at the senior level, but his confidence is sky-high. Ed Morgan adds firepower and experience. The 24-year-old Welshman has won multiple National B races in recent seasons and finished 6th in this race last year. Now with Muc-Off, Morgan has started 2025 strongly: he placed 3rd at the Portsdown Classic in February and 5th at Kennel Hill, showcasing consistency. Will Truelove, 23, rounds out Muc-Off’s quartet. He took an impressive 3rd overall at the Peaks 2 Day stage race behind only Baker and Howell, proving his form and endurance. This will be Truelove’s first serious crack at the Danum Trophy; a strong result could further cement his rising status. With four riders of this calibre, Muc-Off–SRCT–Storck will likely animate the race.
Among the teams aiming to spoil Muc-Off’s party is Wheelbase CabTech Castelli, led by James McKay and Tom Armstrong. McKay, 28, was one of the most consistent performers on the domestic scene in the last two years and is arguably Wheelbase’s most significant off-season signing. The former Saint Piran rider racked up multiple top tens in the National Road Series in 2024, including podium finishes – most notably second at the Lancaster Grand Prix and third at the East Cleveland Classic. He also demonstrated his affinity for the Danum Trophy’s demands by taking fifth here last year. Now stepping into a leadership role, the fast-finishing Sheffield native will look to capitalise on his form and experience. Backing him is 30-year-old Tom Armstrong, an experienced journeyman in the domestic peloton. Armstrong’s career has seen him race on the continent – including a stint with a Spanish Continental squad – and he now brings valuable horsepower back to British roads for Wheelbase. Armstrong’s diesel engine and tactical nous in the crosswinds will be a major asset on the exposed Danum circuit.
When it comes to race-savvy contenders, few in this field can match the pedigree of Bradley Symonds. Now 27, Symonds spent the past four years racing at UCI Continental level – most recently with Saint Piran – and has stepped into a leadership role at the new Raptor Factory Racing team. Last year, Symonds proved he can excel on this course by claiming third in the Danum Trophy, only beaten by Damien Clayton and John Archibald. That podium finish – earned under brutal wind conditions – will give Symonds plenty of confidence heading into this year’s edition.
Beyond the big teams, there are a number of riders who have been turning heads on the domestic circuit and could spring a surprise in Doncaster.
Last year’s runner-up, John Archibald, returns to the Danum Trophy with unfinished business. The 34-year-old put in a vintage display in 2024, breaking clear with Damien Clayton before narrowly missing out in a two-up sprint. That ride, combined with a runner-up finish at the Drummond Trophy and multiple time trial wins last season, confirmed the HUUB WattShop rider’s class and consistency. A former Commonwealth Games medallist on the track and British 25-mile time trial champion, Archibald brings an elite engine and vast experience. He’s already shown good form in 2025 too, taking fifth at the Evesham Vale Road Race and notching solid TT results. If the race splits or a strong group edges clear, Archibald is almost certain to be there. And if he goes solo, few will be able to bring him back.
Josh Housley is coming off a breakthrough 2024 campaign and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the new season. Last year, he finally bagged his first National B win with a solo victory at the London Dynamo Summer Road Race in June. His 2024 results included a strong seventh-place finish at the Danum Trophy, giving him valuable course knowledge heading into this weekend. This year, he’s had a quieter start while adjusting to his new Primera-TeamJobs set-up. His best showing so far has been 12th at the Kennel Hill Classic. But Housley is not a rider to overlook. As he told The British Continental last year, his consistency over the years has finally started to bear fruit. If that progression continues, we could see him find form just in time for Danum.
George Peden of Team PB Performance also brings serious engine power to the start line. Known for his time trialling prowess, he recently underlined his form by storming to victory in the Cleveland Wheelers 21.6-mile time trial last month, setting a new personal best. But he’s far from just a TT specialist – he showed his road racing ability at Peaks 2 Day, where he finished sixth overall in the open race after two tough days of hilly, windswept racing. That performance suggests his fitness and climbing form are right where they need to be.
Joshua Horsfield (Reflex Nopinz) has arguably been a breakthrough rider of the early season. He kicked off 2025 with a string of impressive results: a top-ten finish (ninth) at the Portsdown Classic opener, followed by sixth at the Evesham Vale Road Race, among a series of consistent performances. He’s already picked up over 100 ranking points for his team and currently sits inside the top ten in our national standings.
One of the most exciting under-23 prospects in the race, Alex Ball has started 2025 in superb form. He took an impressive second place at the Gifford Road Race in mid-March. Ball rides for the new BCC Race Team and appears to be flourishing, carrying momentum from a strong 2024 season. Last year he racked up National B victories and National A top tens: he won the Straiton Struggle road race in Scotland, finished fourth in the prestigious Beaumont Trophy, and landed a podium in the Hugh Dornan Memorial race. Those results showed he can mix it with the best in Britain.
A Yorkshireman through and through, Ben Pease (Moonglu Spatzwear) is perfectly suited to a race like the Danum Trophy. He’s had a slow start to 2025, with a DNF at the Peaks Two-Day leaving him still seeking his first points. That said, his 2024 form suggests he could be a serious contender if he rediscovers his rhythm. Last year he won the CAMS Ronde van Wymeswold stage race overall, combining a stage win with consistent finishes.
The start list runs deep, and beyond the names above, there are plenty of others who could spring a surprise. Will Perrett of DAS Richardsons brings a track endurance pedigree and followed 11th in this race last year with 6th at the East Cleveland Classic. His teammate – a recent interviewee – Frank Longstaff is a powerhouse sprinter who had an outstanding 2024 season that included a stage win at the UCI 2.2 Tour of Albania and victory in the inaugural Cambridge Criterium. He has carried that winning form into 2025, most recently taking a sprint victory at the March Hare Classic circuit race. New Dolan Factory Racing signings prolific track talent, Rhys Britton and Will Roberts are also ones to watch. Britton, a Saint Piran rider last season, helped Great Britain win team pursuit silver at the 2024 World Championships. His road form is unknown, but his pedigree suggests he could still play a significant role. Roberts was a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in 2022 and is known for his savvy in circuit races – he won a Tour Series round in 2021 and notched four top-ten finishes in last year’s National Circuit Series. He will look to translate that speed into results on the road this season.
Provisional startlist
Share this:
Discover more from The British Continental
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.