Yanto Barker leads UK Youth to the top seven places in the Betty Pharaoh Memorial Road Race near Cardiff today
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Photos Ian Homer (www.ianhomerphotography.co.uk)
It is a race in which the team scored a 1-2 in 2011 and previous winners of the event included the legendary Welshmen Anthony Malarczyk (now a GB mechanic) and in 2004, former British Champion Geraint Thomas.
Yanto Barker leads a UK Youth cleansweep. Photo: Ian Homer
The challenging 111km – over 4 laps was basking in the South Wales sunshine, although the temperature never reached double figures. On the first lap, Team UK Youth had two riders, Jon Mould and Ian Wikinson, with an advantage over the peloton of around a minute, until Mould experienced some bad luck, puncturing both front and back tyres simultaneously.
The neutral service car had remained with the peleton at this stage and the team were not permitted to provide team car support. This unfortunate situation put pay to Welshman Jon’s race.
With Wilkinson returning to the peleton – that included some quality riders such as former 2-time event winner Colin Parry (SP!N-Rotor) and George Rose, the team re-grouped.
Forcing a split at the front, Wilkinson was once again “off the front” – this time with team-mates Yanto Barker, Josh Hunt and Rob Partridge – with two of Wales’ most promising young riders, Rob Westwood and Tristan Robbins, chasing hard with a fifth UK Youth Rider, Swedish international, Niklas Gustavsson.
On to the final circuit and Gustavsson had solo’d across the gap to the lead quartet – and the five man lead group were continuing to work hard displaying the professionalism, and respect we’ve come to expect from the class of 2013.
 ‘Local’ Jon Mould leads Ian Wilkinson on their early break. Photo: Ian Homer
The remaining two Team UK Youth riders Chris Opie, and James Lowsley-Williams had performed well at the front of the peloton – covering moves, and even attempting valiant solo efforts to bridge the ever-increasing gap.
In the conclusion – the quintet sustained the effort, and their lead to the finish – crossing the line together, Yanto Barker was given the nod, over Niklas Gustavsson, with Ian Wilkinson third, Rob Partridge fourth and Josh Hunt fifth.
Around 2 minutes later, three men entered the last few hundred meters together, marginally ahead of the fast moving peleton, Chris Opie and James Lowsley-Williams managed to out-wit one of the regions strongest and most consistent performers, SP!N-Rotor’s Colin Parry.
Category 3/4
In the Regional category 3/4 race no such team dominance occurred for the three laps. Any attacks were either for the Prime points at St Brides Major or were short-lived and easily countered. So for the most part it was ‘Gruppo Compatto’ on the Vale of Glamorgan undulating course.
Cardiff Ajax’ Alex Tuck did try for a long one in the final km but was overwhelmed by the rouleurs and sprinters as they turned left into the finish. The ensuing gallop produced a fine win by a few bike lengths by third cat Hywel Silvester of Bike Doctor with the juniors Jordan Bason MG-Maxifuel Pro Cycling in second and Jack Reed Royal Dean Forest CC in third.
Yanto Barker with his trophy for the race. Photo: Ian Homer
Chris Opie. Photo: Ian Homer
Cardiff Ajax riders in their home race. Photo: Ian Homer
Photo: Ian Homer
Photo: Ian Homer
Results
E/1/2/3 race
1. Yanto Barker Team UK Youth E Sen
2. Niklas Gustavsson Team UK Youth E Sen
3. Ian Wilkinson Team UK Youth E Sen
4. Rob Partridge Team UK Youth E Sen
5. Josh Hunt Team UK Youth E Sen
6. Chris Opie Team UK Youth E Sen
7. Marcin Bialoblocki Team UK Youth E Sen
8. Colin Parry SpinRotor-PrimalEurope-COriginalsRT 1st Sen
9. Rob Westwood Cwmcarn Paragon RC Jun
10. Tristan Robbins Cardiff JIF 2nd Jun
11. Gerry Bowditch NFTO 2nd Vet40
12. Craig Seaman County Cycles Racing Team 2nd Sen
13. Joseph Wiltshire Cwmcarn Paragon Cycle Club 2nd Jun
14. Andrew Feather Exeter Wheelers 2nd Sen
15. John Holt County Cycles Racing Team 1st Vet40
16. Michael Serafin Guernsey Velo Club 3rd Sen
17. Matthew Osborn GVC Edmond De Rothschild 2nd Sen
18. David Medhurst Cardiff Ajax CC 2nd Sen
19. Malcolm Dixon Severn RC 2nd Sen
20. Graeme Boswell Cardiff Ajax CC 2nd Sen
Category 3/4 race
1. Hywel Silvester Bike Doctor 3rd Sen
2. Jordan Bason MG-Maxifuel Pro Cycling 3rd Jun
3. Jack Reed Royal Dean Forest CC 3rd Jun
4. Ryan Bevis NFTO 3rd Sen
5. David Gorton Team Tor 2000 3rd Sen
6. Christopher Fairclough Cwmcarn Paragon Cycle Club 3rd Sen
7. Mick Ballantyne NFTO 3rd Vet40
8. Hannah Walker Matrix Fitness Racing Academy 1st SenW
9. Michael Tarling West Wales Cycle Racing Team 3rd Sen
10. Joseph Lally CC Abergavenny 3rd Sen
11. Charles Solomon Bynea CC 3rd Jun
12. Gary Sturch Pontypool RCC 3rd Vet40
13. Adrian Peall Forza Cycles Racing Team 3rd Sen
14. Zach Minto Cardiff Ajax CC 4th Sen
15. Geoff Ripley Bristol RC 3rd Sen
16. Mark Davies Cycle Coaching Wales RT 3rd Sen
17. Ross Porter Team AC/DC 3rd Vet40
18. Sam Shannon Rutrainingtoday CC 3rd Sen
19. Alex Tuck Cardiff Ajax CC 4th Sen
20. Calum Challenger Onit Sports 4th Sen
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- Q&A: Erin Murphy (Alba Dev Road Team)
- Crit Result: Odd Down Winter Series 4
- Crit Result: Odd Down Winter Series 3
- Crit Result: Velo29 Winter Series 3
- Track Result: Premier Division Manchester Track League #4
- Team Feature: Hutchinson/Brother UK
- Events: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
- Crit Result: Full Gas Winter Series (LVVP #13)
- Events: RCR Fatcreations Road Race
- Team News: DAS Handsling Women’s UCI Team
- News: GB for European Track Championships
- Crit Result: Full Gas Winter Series (Hillingdon #6)
- CX Result: NWCCA CX League Round 9
- CX Result: London/SE CX League Rd 10
- CX Result: Wessex CX League Rd 13
- CX Result: Eastern Cyclo-Cross League 11
- CX Result: East Kent CX League 5
- British Track Championships: Day 3 Report
- Track Results: British Track Championhip Results (para)
- Track Results: British Track Championship Results (M)
- Track Result: British Track Championships Results (W)
- British Track Championships: Day 2 Report
- Q&A: Sophie Lankford (Alba Team)
- Team Feature: Sam Watson’s Journey to WorldTour
- News: Rayner Foundation’s Gateway Project
- News: Star Names Sign up for Saint Piran 05/03 Team
- News: 58th Perfs Pedal RR
- Track Result: Premier Division Manchester Track League
- News: GB Team for CX Worlds
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- 2022/2023 National Trophy Cyclocross Series Final Standings
- EVENTS: The Peaks 2 Day p/b Giant Sheffield
- TEAM NEWS: Kalas Motip Race Team for 2023
- Team News: Rotor UK Sponsor Team AT85
- CX Result: Leicestershire Cyclo-Cross League Rd 7
- CX Result: Wessex CX League, Rd 12
- CX Result: Eastern Region CX League Rd 10
- Q&A: Vicky Smith (Alba Development Road Team)
- Track Result: First Division Manchester Track League
- Track Result: Premier Division Manchester Track League
Other News on VeloUK
- Q&A: Erin Murphy (Alba Dev Road Team)
- Team Feature: Hutchinson/Brother UK
- Events: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
- Events: RCR Fatcreations Road Race
- Team News: DAS Handsling Women’s UCI Team
- News: GB for European Track Championships
- Q&A: Sophie Lankford (Alba Team)
- News: Rayner Foundation’s Gateway Project
- News: Star Names Sign up for Saint Piran 05/03 Team
- News: 58th Perfs Pedal RR
- News: GB Team for CX Worlds
- Team News: MAS Design – Fensham Howes Junior Team
- EVENTS: The Peaks 2 Day p/b Giant Sheffield
- TEAM NEWS: Kalas Motip Race Team for 2023
- Team News: Rotor UK Sponsor Team AT85
- Q&A: Vicky Smith (Alba Development Road Team)
- British Track Championships Jan 26-29
- Event News: Midlands handicap league returns in 2023
- News: Alba DRT Riders Inspired to Step Up
- Race Dates: Track Events 2023
- News: Santini Cycling UK
- News: Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT Report
- Events: Velo Club St Raphael Time Trial
- Startlist: British Cyclocross Championships 2023
- BRITISH CYCLOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2023
- News: Brother UK Continues to Sponsor Cycling
- Dave Rayner Fund Supported Riders
- Event news: British Team Cup
- National Trophy: Final Round, Cyclopark
- News: Pedal Club December Lunch Report
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- 2023: National Under 23, Youth & Junior Road Series
- National Trophy Cyclocross Round 5: Startlist
- News: 2023 British National Road Series