After a tough hundred miles of racing, Ashley Cox (CC Luton) scored a narrow but clear victory in the Victor Berlemont RR
![]() |
Report – Victor Berlemont RR
(thanks to Chris Lovibond)
NOTE: Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
After a tough hundred miles of racing, Ashley Cox (CC Luton) scored a narrow but clear victory over second placed Harry Evans (Cadence) with Mark Baines (Spirit Bikes) close behind in third place.
A break had been initiated during the first lap and there was no point after this when there were not some riders off the front. Spectators at the roadside needed sharp powers of observation to appreciate that the make up of the break was changing all the time as one group was absorbed and another formed. A constant feature of the breaks was that Ashley Cox was always there, always able to follow each new attack, and his presence gave a false impression that the break had stability.
The move which won the race did not develop until halfway through the final lap, on the descent towards Goring after the main road section, and was initiated by Mark Baines who took Harry Evans, Ashley Cox and Joe Wiltshire (NFTO) with him. This left the final ascent of the one in ten gradient leading up to the finish where Evans hoped that his climbing ability would be sufficient to take him clear of his companions. It wasn’t. When Cox opened up the sprint Evans was still confident he could win but, as it had been for the whole race, it was Ashley Cox’s day.
Back at the HQ all agreed that this had been a great race. The Woodcote course provided variety with its fast main road section, a descent through the lanes and then that brutal climb from Goring towards the finish. Although it’s not easy to tell from the British Cycling calendar it seems likely that this is the only ‘National B’ event of 100 miles – a distance which is typical of important events both here and on the continent.
It’s inevitable in a report like this that the majority of the riders do not get a fair mention, but let’s spare a thought for the whole field who rode a hard race over a distance that, for most of them, was uncharted territory. Another group who deserve a mention (because they made the event possible) are the many members of the Pedal Club who turned out as helpers, and this is an example of how that normally unobtrusive organisation is an important asset to cycle sport.
Everyone connected with bike racing is sadly aware of the classic events which have disappeared, from the Archer Grand Prix to the Bordeaux Paris, but here we’ve seen a little miracle: the rebirth of a race, with this year’s edition being a worthy reflection of the heritage of the Victor Berlemont Road Race. For this we must be thankful for the determination of Doug Collins and the energy of Patrick Kavanagh who, between them, made the idea of renaissance a reality.
Photos from John Scott (Bonjour Services)
Result
1. Ashley Cox (CC Luton)
2. Harry Evans (Cadence)
3. Mark Baines (Spirit Bikes RT)
4. Joe Wiltshire (NFTO)
5. Tom Neale (Team Corley Cycles)
6. Doug Coleman (CC Luton)
7. Chris Dredge (Spirit Bikes RT)
8. Ben Carty (Felt Colbornes Hargroves RT)
9. James Davey (Mid Devon CC)
10. Martin Ford (BC Private Member)
Combativity Prize: Richard Wood (Arbis – Colbert Cycles RT)
Best Junior: Joe Wiltshire
Best under 23: Tom Neale.
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- Result: Beverley Town Centre Races
- Hill Climb Championships: Change of Course
- Crit Result: Portsmouth Evening Circuits 11
- Crit Result: RCR FatCreations Goodwood Summer Special
- UK Armed Forces Inter-services Road Race
- Report: TLI Cycling ‘Belgium Training Series
- BMCR RESULT: The Ron Day MK Bowl Circuit races (July 23rd)
- RR Result: Bath RC Junior National Series Road Race
- Crit Result: West Thames League 15
- Crit Result: SACA Salt Ayre Tuesday Series 15
- Crit Result: Bath CC Mid Summer Series 2
- Crit Result: Full Gas Summer Circuit Series #17
- TT Result: Ross-On-Wye & Dist CC 25m TT
- TT Result: Ross-On-Wye & Dist CC 10m TT
- TT Result: Kernow Racing Team 10m TT
- News: Men’s Tour of Britain Route (Stage 1 & 2)
- Youth Result: RL360 Isle of Man Youth League 14
- TT Result: Verulam Cycling Club 25m TT
- TT Result: Manchester & District Ladies CA 25m TT
- TT Result: Ferryhill Wheelers CC 25m TT
- Crit Result: Banbury Star Crit Series #2
- RR Result: Lakes Road Club Summer Road Race
- National Circuit Series: Colne
- TT Result: Kings Lynn CC 15m TT
- TT Result: ECCA 10 mile Time Trial
- TT Result: Chorley Cycling Club 10m TT
- TT Result: Houghton CC 25m TT
- TT Result: Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 10m TT
- TT Result: Farnham RC 10m TT
- Crit Result: King&Queen of the Bowl Series #13
- TT Result: Kernow Racing Team 10m TT
- Crit Result: Lichfield/Velospeed No Frills at Curborough #7
- TT Result: Swindon RC & Swindon Wh 50m TT
- Crit News: Spatzwear Friday Night Crit Series #6 | YBC
- GB News: Paracycling Squad for Paris 2024
- Crit Result: Thanks Crit it’s Friday 7
- Crit Result: Omega Portsmouth Circuits 6
- Result: BMCR National Road Bike TT Championship
- Crit Result: Ride Revolution Coaching Summer Crits #2
- Crit Result: Shutt Velo Rapide Hitters Crits Rd2
Other News on VeloUK
- Hill Climb Championships: Change of Course
- TT Result: Ross-On-Wye & Dist CC 25m TT
- News: Men’s Tour of Britain Route (Stage 1 & 2)
- GB News: Paracycling Squad for Paris 2024
- Ribble Redefines Road with launch of Allroad
- BMCR: National Road Bike Time Trial Championship
- SUNDAY: Bath Road Club Junior National Series Road Race
- TLI CYCLING FEATURE: SUPER4SERIES
- NATIONAL CIRCUIT SERIES UPDATE 2024
- News: Josh Tarling Extends Contract at Ineos
- Tour of Britain for Men 2024
- News: Connor Swift Extends Contract with Ineos
- Updated GB Olympic Team News
- Sunday: 2024 Youth Circuit Race Championships (Cyclopark)
- ROBBED BY THE HIGHWAYS AGENCY – National Highways
- Startlist: BMCR National Road Championships E/F/G/H
- OLYMPIC NEWS – Team GB Announces First Riders for Olympics
- News: Alex Richardson Retires
- New Releases from Shutt Velo Rapide
- STARTLIST: Men’s British Road Race Championships
- STARTLIST: 2024 Women’s British Road Race Championships
- Startlist: 2024 CAMS Yorkshire Classic Road Races
- Startlists: 2024 Circuit Race Championships
- Startlist: CAMS Ronde van Wymeswold
- Startlists & 2023 Results: National Time Trial Championships
- NEWS: Star Studded Line Up for National Road Champs
- Riders so far: London Dynamo Summer Road Races
- Women’s Tour of Britain Startlist (provisional)
- News: Lincoln winner hit by car
- Entries Wanted: Ilkley Cycles Races
- GB Team Named for Women’s Tour of Britain
- STARTLISTS: NW, Yorkshire & NE Regional RR Championships
- Startlists: East Midlands Road Race Championships
- News: Ribble Rebellion Race USA’s Armed Forces Cycling Classic
- TT Result: Legato Racing Team 10m TT
- Pre-Race Rider Quotes: Ford RideLondon Classique
- STARTLIST: Witham Wheelers Road Races
- Team News: Tour of Britain for Alba Development RT
- Startlist: Totnes Vire 2024
- Starters: NW Junior/U23 360cycling Two Day