Superb sprints from Sophie Lewis and Matt Bostock saw them crowned the winners of the Fort Vale Grand Prix in Colne in the penultimate round of the Lloyds Bank National Circuit Series.
Open
Matt Bostock continued his run of good form, winning with trademark panache and underlining an impressive night of racing for his RIBBLE REBELLION team.
Bostock came into the race with the experience of winning the Colne Grand Prix back in 2019, and the RIBBLE REBELLION rider spent much of the race floating across the groups and marshalling the front of the race, before sprinting to victory ahead of his series rival, Rob Scott (TEKKERZ CC).
The race exploded into life straight away, with Bostock showing his hand early in an attempt to breakaway, but those early moves would come to nothing as he was closely marked by riders from Saint Piran and Wheelbase CabTech Castelli.
Will Roberts (Saint Piran) and Thomas Armstrong (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) were active at the front of the race, countering Bostock’s attacks and keeping the pace high in the early stages. Wheelbase CabTech Castelli were defending champions, having seen Tim Shoreman win in 2023 from a small breakaway.
After 20 minutes of racing, Rob Scott saw his chance in a slight lull, attacking hard and taking RIBBLE REBELLION’s Jim Brown with him. However, it wasn’t long until the bunch came back together.
Just as it was looking like nothing could stick, Richardsons-Trek RT’s Matt Lord attacked hard over the top of the bunch. He quickly gained a gap and soon had 10 seconds on the chasing peloton. A few counterattacks from the Wheelbase team closed the gap, but it wasn’t enough to bring him back before a group of three moved to bridge the gap.
Alec Briggs (TEKKERZ CC), Brown and Armstrong quickly crossed the now dwindling gap, joining Lord and making a strong move at the front of the race. Before long, Jacob Scott (REMBE Pro Cycling Team Sauerland) and Rhys Britton (Saint Piran) also bridged over, and the race was stretched to breaking point, chasing the six riders at the head of affairs.
Into the closing stages of the race, the front group was constantly in flux. Riders were bridging and distanced almost faster than the lap boards could fall, and suddenly Rob Scott made it across the gap, joining the leaders as they held a 13-second advantage.
Behind, Bostock was wise to the danger and made a huge effort to bring back the leaders with four laps to go. Lord made one last ditch effort to escape the bunch, but it seemed like the race would end in a bunch sprint.
Coming into the final few hundred meters, RIBBLE REBELLION were lined up next to TEKKERZ, but it was the ever-present Bostock who showed he had the legs. He launched his sprint early, powering away from the field and winning by a huge margin ahead of Rob Scott and Jacob Scott.
Bostock’s victory brings him a handful of points closer to Rob Scott’s overall lead ahead of the final round in Beverley. RIBBLE REBELLION hold a commanding 49-point lead over Wheelbase CabTech Castelli in the team competition.
Women
Sophie Lewis (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) powered to victory at the Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix, taking a flying victory ahead of series leader, Eilidh Shaw (Alba Development RT).
Shaw and her team started the day as strong favourites, having won three rounds of the series so far. However, DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK have been a thorn in their side, leading the overall team standings and winning the first round with Frankie Hall.
Loughborough Lightning struck first, making use of their numbers to launch Jayati Hine up the road. The team in purple has been ever-present at the front of the National Circuit Series this year, culminating in an impressive second place for Jenny Holl at Sheffield.
Lucy Glover (Shibden Apex RT) was next to take on the front of the race, breaking up the ranks of Loughborough Lightning and Alba Development RT, but her attacks would come to nothing as the pace remained high in the bunch.
At the halfway point, over 40 riders still remained in the main peloton and nothing was sticking. Alba Development RT’s Keira Bond maintained a steady rhythm on the front when DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK began to show their hand as Lucy Lee delivered two powerful attacks, first to soften up the chase, then to gain a small advantage.
Shaw quickly found herself isolated further up the peloton, with a likely sprint looming. With five laps to go, it was DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK who had control, pushing out an infernal pace to keep their sprinters well positioned.
Coming into the final lap, Lewis was glued to the wheel of her teammates, with Lucy Glover (Shibden Apex RT) and Shaw tucked in behind her. The bunch split under the pressure of the leadout, as DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK continued to drive the pace forward.
Around the final bend, Lewis emerged from the melee in the lead. Powering along in the saddle, she held on to take the victory by two bike lengths over Shaw and Glover.
Shaw’s second place puts her well ahead of her teammate Bond in the individual series standings, while the team competition is dominated by DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK, who have an almost unassailable lead ahead of the final round in Beverley on Friday.
The final round of the Lloyds Bank National Circuit Series takes place this Friday at the Beverley Grand Prix.
