SCRL Circuit Race #4 - 23/03/25
Youth B/C
Phil Jemmison, the British Cycling Commissaire, briefs the Youth B/C riders at the start line, with three riders in each category.
This event marked the beginning of our youth race series and our first youth circuit race in recent memory. It was both an excellent introduction to youth circuit racing and a valuable opportunity to learn and grow as we aim to expand our programme in the future. Thanks to the support and guidance of our friends at Preston Park Youth Cycling Club (PPYC), we decided to host a combined Youth B/C race. Youth B featured riders under 14 (born in 2011 or 2012), while Youth C included participants under 12 (born in 2013 or 2014). This event also sets the stage for a more comprehensive programme moving forward. Plans are already underway to include additional categories, so stay tuned for updates!
Temperatures were reasonably mild, but early morning rain left the circuit damp. Dark grey clouds hung overhead, suggesting a slight chance of additional showers.
Harley Clarke (PPYC) leading the front group.
During the first couple of laps, four riders formed a leading pack.
Thomas Dewey (PPYC) attempts to get away.
After a few cautious laps, the riders began launching attacks.
Jack Patten (PPYC) always attentive, responds and neutralises the early attacks with a composed effort.
Harley Clarke, back on the front setting the early pace.
Ossie Bryce-Stafford (PPYC) riding his own race with determination, pictured in front of the peloton.
The pace of the leading group ebbed and flowed, with each rider aiming to minimise their time spent at the front.
Thomas Dewey upping the pace and stretching out the group.
Arthur Durand (PPYC) rides strongly, focusing on his own race.
Ossie Bryce-Stafford, stayed on the drops, tucked low, and powered through each lap.
Austin Gray (Charlotteville) spots an opportunity and goes on an attack.
Jack Patten, once again, closes down the attack and maintains a high pace, aiming to create further gaps.
Jack Patten breaks away at the front, taking a high line as he launches another attack.
Jack Patten, checking to see if the group is still together.
Thomas Dewey, in tune with the move.
Austin Gray, works hard and gets back on.
With the four now back together, the pace slows.
Harley Clarke uses the circuit to assess the opposition.
The pace line starts to weave as each rider, having launched an attack, proceeds with caution, waiting for the right moment.
Arthur Durand seizes the opportunity to unlap himself as the lead group watches each other.
Arthur goes on to guide the group of four for a further couple of laps.
Harley Clarke and Thomas Dewey pick the pace up.
As five laps are displayed on the board, a flurry of attacks is set in motion.
Thomas Dewey makes a long-range bid for the finish line, with Jack Patten glued to the wheel.
The final lap and the lead four are together. It will be a sprint for the line.
Jack Patten takes the win in a sprint.
Thomas Dewey, finishes next with Harley Clarke just behind.
Ossie Bryce-Stafford finishing the race as strongly as he started.
Each rider received a round of applause at the finish, marking the end of a highly engaging race.
Youth B Top 3:
Jack Patten, PPYCC
Harley Clarke, PPYCC
Austin Gray, Charlotteville
Youth C top 3:
Thomas Dewey, PPYCC
Arthur Durand, PPYCC
Ossie Bryce-Stafford, PPYCC
Open 3/4 and Womens 3/4
The start line rider briefing from Phil Jemmison (British Cycling Commissaire)
The first lap and the race sets off at a blistering pace with Rahul Fortescue Talwar leading the way.
Will Stoneham (Army Cycling Union), Luca Geddes Gasco (LVYCC), and Milo Clarke (VCL) take to the front, working to close the gap and break away from the peloton.
Noah Gould (trainSharp Roman RT), Stuart Bettis (One Resourcing RT) and George Batchelor (Dorking Cycling Club) remain patient in the peloton. Within a couple of laps the breakaway riders are back in the peloton.
Stuart Bettis, winner of race 3, makes a concerted effort to break away.
Stuart Bettis, looking back to see if the peloton has split. Noah Gould and Omar Malik (Southborough & District Wheelers) put the peloton under pressure.
The peloton is stretched out, with Alex Harvey (Brighton Excelsior) in amongst the leading riders hoping to from a breakaway.
Will Stoneham takes on the task of closing the gaps, while early leader Rahul Fortescue Talwar has returned to the peloton but remains sharp and ready.
The Women’s Race had 2 riders, with Emma Kuusela (PDQ Property Elite) in the yellow, and Alice Connor (London Academy) both riding within the peloton.
The peloton is back togther with Luca Geddes Gasco leading the way.
Ryan Edwards (Horsham Cycling) taking a turn at the front.
Stuart Bettis takes a flyer, closely watched and followed by Rahul Fortescue Talwar. Both riders appear particularly sharp in the early stages of the race.
George Batchelor attempts to break away from the peloton.
Milo Clarke launches a counterattack as soon as the leaders are reeled back in.
With limited cohesion in the peloton, now is the perfect moment to launch an attack.
Milo Clarke is leading by the largest margin seen in the race so far. With half the race remaining and strong riders, including previous winners, still in the peloton, the question is: how long can Milo sustain the gap? At the moment, he’s flying!
The peloton closing in on the solo leader.
Milo Clarke, sensing the approaching peloton, eases off to conserve energy for later efforts.
Stuart Bettis leading the charge, with Alex Harvey alongside.
Omar Malik, riding the corner to take on the initiative. Joseph Bacon (Rapha Cycling Club) taking the inside line as the pace heats up.
Sam Cheesman (Crawley Wheelers) applying the pressure.
The breakaway attempts, now nullified. With the peloton containing many strong riders, it seems increasingly likely to be a sprint finish.
Five laps is up on the lap board and the peloton stays together. All the early leaders are at the front, but it’s now time for the sprinters, hidden for much of the race, to position themselves for the final lap.
As the pace intensified on the backstraight, misfortune struck when Stuart Bettis's chain slipped, causing him to lose momentum—and with it, any hope of a top ten finish.
The final straight. Rahul Fortescue Talwar finishes as he started—at the front, taking the win. He is closely followed by Nathan Cozens (Brighton Mitre), who chose the perfect wheel to follow. Luca Geddes Gasco improves on his fourth place from the previous race to claim the final podium spot, with a fast-finishing Christian Bright (Friends With Bikes) just behind.
The women’s race saw Emma Kuusela claim victory, finishing strong amidst the peloton.
Open 3/4 Top ten:
Rahul Fortescue Talwar
Nathan Cozens, Brighton Mitre
Luca Geddes Gasco, LVYCC
Christian Bright, Friends With Bikes
Omar Malik, Southborough & District Wheelers
Alastair Weinberg, Strada Wheels RT-Lucentsys
Milo Clarke, VCL
Jospeh Bacon, Rapha Cycling Club
James Di Rico, Sussex Revolution
David Fuller, Southborough & District Wheelers
Women’s 3/4
Emma Kuusela, PDQ Property Elite
Open E123
The E123 race had 10 riders signed up, with 9 lining up at the start line. Initially, a lower turnout was anticipated due to the Wally Gimbler Road Race taking place on the same day. However, after that race was cancelled because of a fallen tree, the final tally rose to 10 riders, including some last-minute sign-ons and one rider who completed a quick puncture repair.
The clouds grew darker, and spots of rain began to fall, but the quality of the race remained unaffected.
Freddie Hick (Evolution Cycling) leading an early breakaway.
The race began at a blistering pace from the whistle, with gaps quickly emerging as riders split into smaller groups.
Freddie Hick leads the first group, with Southborough & District Wheelers teammates Keith Henderson, Rory Barrett, and Jacob Arnell present and looking dangerous. Samuel Benge (trainSharp Roman RT) seems to have found his legs and rhythm, and John Tindell (Brighton Mitre) is also among the group.
Ben Neal (Team Tor 2000), caught between two groups, attempts to chase down the breakaway before it extends its lead.
Ben Neale, makes the leading breakaway.
This feels like déjà vu, doesn’t it? Jacob Arnell (Southborough & District Wheelers), who started his day expecting to compete in the Wally Gimbler, is now showcasing his strength.
Samuel Benge, follows the attack, and Keith Henderson follows his wheel, and they both join Jacob Arnell at the front of the race. Rory Barret joins shortly after.
John Tindell struggles in vain to hold onto the leading group, with a dwindling peloton trailing behind
Samuel Benge remains undaunted by the Southborough & District Wheelers teammates surrounding him.
Outnumbered, Samuel faces a tough challenge—what strategy can he employ to overcome the odds?
The peloton now reduced is now racing for the minor places.
Robert Lovett (Strada Wheels-RT Lucentsys) riding strongly for a top ten finish.
It's like an orca pod toying with a dolphin! Samuel Benge now understands what it must be like on an SDW chain-gang. Southborough made several attempts to drop him—creating deliberate gaps and launching breaks off the front—but Samuel wasn’t going down without a fight!
Rory Barrett makes the initial effort from the font group.
Southborough & District Wheelers, having lapped the peloton, use the moment to make a big solo attack.
Samuel Benge, having to respond.
Keith Henderson and Jacob Arnell keep a vigilant watch on him, shadowing his every move. Samuel, isn’t going anywhere!
As soon as Rory Barrett is reeled in, Jacob Arnell surges ahead in a devastating one-two attack. This time, there’s nothing Samuel Benge can do as Jacob vanishes into the distance.
Samuel Benge, using up all he has left.
Jacob Arnell extends his lead and powers across the line for an excellent victory. Rory Barrett claims second, with Keith Henderson securing third, completing an impressive 1-2-3 finish for Southborough & District Wheelers. Samuel Benge earns a commendable fourth place.
Top 9:
Jacob Arnell, Southborough & District Wheelers
Rory Barrett, Southborough & District Wheelers
Keith Henderson, Southborough & District Wheelers
Samuel Benge, trainSharp Romon RT
Robert Lovett, Strada Wheels RT-Lucentsys
Ben Neal, Team Tor 2000
John Tindell, Brighton Mitre
Freddie Hick, Evolution Cycling
James Bullen, Strada Wheels RT-Lucentsys
Many thanks to all our volunteers that helped make the event go safely.
Special thanks to Phil Jemmison (British Cycling Commissaire) and Glyn Durrant (Surrey League) for overseeing sign-on, Brad Wollaston for providing medical support, and our dedicated marshals—Will Ranoe, Ryan Edwards (Horsham Cycling), and Richard Moult (Sussex Revolution)—alongside many others. Extended gratitude goes to Mark Aberdour and John Dewey (both with Preston Park Youth Cycling Club) for their invaluable assistance both prior to and on race day.
We now move our race series to Friday evenings. Please check our website for further information.
Circuit race #5 - 11th April. Entries open soon.
