Tour of the Reservoir – 22 June
Adam Howell (MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK) recovered from an early crash to take the victory in the Open category, while Robyn Clay (DAS – Hutchinson) managed to snatch victory in the Women’s race.
British Cycling Press Release, Images by Chris Maher
This year’s Tour of the Reservoir was held in memory of Mike Hodgson, the events previous organiser, who died during COVID-19 in early 2020.
The women’s race kicked off first, with dry and warm conditions, though enough wind to affect the peloton with strong gusts on the top of the moors. One 19km loop of the reservoir faced them before completing two big circuits for a total of 106km.
A quartet of riders formed the main break of the day on the second small lap that at one point reached around 6 minutes. Tiffany Keep – DAS Hutchinson, Katie Scott – CJ O’Shea Racing Team, Jo Tindley – Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team & Amy Gornall – Handsling Alba Development Road Team.
On the final lap the peloton split, as riders tried to chase the break. A small group containing Robyn Clay, Lucy Lee (DAS-Hutchinson), and Noémie Thomson (Brother UK – On Form) came together to chase the leaders.
Robyn Clay and Noémie Thomson went clear on the run-in to Consett and the finish line, setting up a two-rider sprint won by Robyn Clay. Thomson came second, with Tiffany Keep in third.
Race Reaction from Robyn Clay
With a 3 to 4 minute gap to the leading Quartet on the final circuit, I asked Robyn how hard was it to bridge across. She replied “Very Hard. I was feeling a bit Ill. It was really tough. I was glad to see these guys (Tiffany Keep & Lucy Lee (DAS – Hutchinson).
I knew they would be chasing really hard behind. We just had to keep the pressure on – and with the wind as well – echelons. Then a sigh of relief when we got to the Tail Wind. But then it was just taking chunks out of each other to try & win.”
It’s a long drag back to the finish here in Consett. Did you find that pretty tough? “Yeh. I think Noemie (Thomson – Brother UK – On Form) is probably a stronger climber than I am. I knew I had to just sort of sit on her wheel & hold it for as long as I could. Just wait! Then go last minute.”
Race Result
1 10 Robyn Clay DAS – Hutchinson 3:13:12 – 50
2 6 Noemie Thomson Brother UK – On Form 3:13:13 +0:01 48
3 16 Tiffany Keep DAS – Hutchinson 3:13:33 +0:21 46
4 13 Lucy Lee DAS – Hutchinson 3:14:00 +0:48 44
5 48 Jo Tindley Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team 3:14:00 +0:48 42
6 22 Lauren Dickson Handsling Alba Development Road Team 3:14:29 +01:17 40
7 28 Kate Richardson Handsling Alba Development Road Team 3:16:39 +03:27 38
8 12 Elizabeth Hermolle DAS – Hutchinson 3:16:55 +03:43 36
9 45 Lucy Harris Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team 3:16:59 +03:47 34
10 65 Abigail Miller Tofauti Everyone Active Majaco 3:17:21 +04:09 32
The Open saw riders battle some early rain and strong winds at the top of the climbs, as they raced in four 32.7km laps for a total of 152.8km.
Adam Howell was an early faller, coming down in the crosswinds and injuring his face and breaking his sunglasses. He was quickly back on his bike and rejoined the race, making his way back to the leaders with help from his team.
Howell, Alex Beldon (MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK), Edward Morgan (MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK), Rowan Baker (Raptor Factory Racing) and Tom Martin (Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli) led the chase of the leaders and were within touching distance at the start of the 2km drag into Consett
Howell and Beldon jumped clear on the final climb, reaching George Radcliffe (X-Speed United Continental Team) with just a few hundred meters to go, where Howell overhauled them and won in a spectacular recovery.
Alex Beldon finished second, while George Radcliffe came third
Race Reaction from Adam Howell
That was a heck of a ride there Adam. “Yes. I spent most of it chasing back on! I crashed on the first lap. So yes. That’s my race over – I thought.
I got back into one of the groups & just chased back on. I was waiting to be Black Flagged really cause we were just cruising along. Just kept jumping between groups – but I did not expect that at all.From lap 1 all motivation had just gone cause I was right at the back. Smashed my Face – Glasses in pieces.
Massive result from the Team (MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK) – Really Proud.”
With such a large gap to the front of the race coming into the closing stages, you must have bridged across? “I just kept jumping across to little groups of guys. Some were actually working. I just jumped on the Climbs & strung it out a little more.
I finally managed to get across to the Lead Group at the end of the 3rd lap. Yeh – just working with the Team.”
The final run in George Radcliffe Solo’d back into Consett. “Yeh. Up that last climb just before the top he just kicked away & I just couldn’t go with him – He’s so strong.
He got a good gap on the decent, but me, Ed (Morgan), Alex (Beldon), Rowan (Baker – Raptor Factory Racing) & another guy – Tom Martin (Wheelbase-Cabtech-Castelli) were all flying down. I was terrified to be honest! Those bikes are fast, they are so Aero, the Wind just catches them.
I just about managed to catch George. I kicked on that last little bit of drag. Me & Alex just chased him down. Caught him with about a 100m to go. Yeh – Huge moment.”
Race Result
1 45 Adam Howell MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK 3:55:14 – 50
2 44 Alex Beldon MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK 3:55:16 +0:02 48
3 142 George Radcliffe X-Speed United Continental Team 3:55:23 +0:09 46
4 60 Rowan Baker Raptor Factory Racing 3:55:30 +0:16 44
5 47 Edward Morgan MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK 3:55:48 +0:34 42
6 136 William Harding Zappi Racing Team 3:55:50 +0:36 40
7 99 Tom Martin Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli 3:56:04 +0:50 38
8 48 William Truelove MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK 3:56:29 +01:15 36
9 111 Jente Michels Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team 3:56:40 +01:26 34
10 51 Ewan Mackie Mypad Racing 3:56:46 +01:32 32
BC Press Release, Images by Chris Maher
Community Traffic Management East Cleveland Classic 2025 [R1 Open / R2 Women] – 13 April
Adam Howell (MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK) and Alice McWilliam (Hess Cycling Team) were the winners at the Community Traffic Management East Cleveland Classic 2025 on Sunday (13).
In the opening fixture of the Open National Road Series, Howell took a first National Road Series win in an astonishing sprint finish with George Kimber (Spirit Racing Team), Howell taking it by a whisker after a superb bike throw.
Over six laps of the course on the north-east coast, including the famous Saltburn Bank climb, an open race unfolded with breakaway groups forming and disappearing in quick succession as the windy conditions drew the chasing packs in.
On the final lap, Howell and Kimber made the crucial break from Tom Martin (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli), and an almighty finale played out, going right down to the wire with Howell taking it. Martin was 16 seconds back, but his bold move with the duo earned him a podium spot.
As for the women’s race, the second fixture in the series all came down to a bunch sprint finish after some entertaining racing on the day. Hess teammates Alice McWilliam and Holly Ramsey emerged in the closing stages with McWilliam taking her first National Road Series win of the year.
The duo were part of a big bunch who attacked the final climb together, with Hess and Handsling Alba Development Road Team the main teams featuring at this stage. But McWilliam came through to take it from Ramsey, while Amelia Tyler (Handsling Alba Development Road Team) sealed her first podium finish ahead of Tiffany Keep (DAS-Hutchinson).
After two fixtures in the women’s National Road Series, McWilliam has the Series Leader’s jersey heading into round three which takes place at the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix next month.
Women's Results
1 Alice McWilliams – Hess Cycling Team
2 Holly Ramsey (U23) – Hess Cycling Team
3 Amelia Tyler (U23) – Handsling Alba Development Road Team
4 – Tiffany Keep – DAS Hutchinson
5 – Anna Morris
Men's Results
1 – Adam Howell (U23) – MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK
2 – George Kimber – Spirit Racing Team
3 – Tom Martin – Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
4 – Tim Shoreman – Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
5 – William Truelove – MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK
