News: 53rd Clayton Spring Classic

The North West road season gets underway with the 53rd Clayton Spring Classic on the 24th of February. Who will join the former winners including Tom Pidcock, Dean Downing, Ian Stannard, Mark Lovatt, Kevin Dawson, Dan Craven and Rob Hayles on the honours list?

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News: 53rd Clayton Spring Classic

The North West road season gets underway with the 53rd Clayton Spring Classic on the 24th of February. Who will join the former winners including Tom Pidcock, Dean Downing, Ian Stannard, Mark Lovatt, Kevin Dawson, Dan Craven and Rob Hayles on the honours list?

Entry for the event closes Friday, 1st of Feb (a bit earlier than usual). The highly successful Handicap format is retained and the 80 rider field (3 groups) will be headed by a strong Junior group while the scratch group of Elite and Pro riders attempt to close the seven minute gap.

Run over 14 laps and 58.5 grippy miles, the race is a testing workout and ‘who’s in form’ pointer. Last year’s winner Ryan Perry made it to the front on his own to win solo while in 2016, then first year Junior Tom Pidcock took the top spot to become the first ever junior winner ahead of Rob Scott.

HQ: Eddisford Bridge C of E schools, Eddisford Rd., Clitheroe, Lancs, BB72LN

VeloUK quizzed organiser Peter Boast and asked about the race and his highlights. “There have been many highlights over the years and several organisers too! Peter from florist Going Dutch in Nelson. “Alan Roper must take all the credit for being involved in one form or another for all 53 editions, quite an achievement and much appreciated by the riders.”
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“The handicap format is becoming a lost art unfortunately but a great way of introducing new talent to high level competition. In recent years we have seen junior numbers jump from half a dozen to twenty plus which is great to see. Alan and I and Team SB Hub have also committed to three additional early season development races specifically to give the juniors race time.”

Another highlight he explained was when world class riders these days but juniors at the time, Tom Pidcock and Rob Scott were 1-2 held off a charging scratch group and Ian Wilkinson in 2016, the one and only junior winner (so far).

Asked when his first race organising was, Peter replied “My first race as event organiser was when Rob Hayles won in 2009, team time trailing through the field for a 1,2,3,4 for Team Halfords. That’s not the full story though having picked up local 3rd cat Carl Pawson from the middle group who stuck to them like glue. I think Rob ‘slid’ him off the back with a lap to go to make sure no embarrassments! That’s the beauty of Handicap racing”.

The race has a long history and many memorable moments including local success at the expense of the top riders of the day as Peter explained. “Going back to the 80s and pre handicap era in the UK, the race was based in Barnoldswick and was just as prestigious to win. Our very own Clayton rider Chris Riding out foxed the fox’s with pro riders Steve Joughin and Phil Thomas on the receiving end of Chris’ attacking style three miles out from the line, they didn’t see him again”.

Former Winners
2018 1. Ryan Perry 2. Simon Deplitch, 3. Mark Dziobon
2017 1. Jacob Hennessy, 2. Dillon Byrne, 3. Michael Cumming
2016 1. Tom Pidcock, 2.Rob Scott VCUK 3.Ian Wilkinson
2015 1. Peter Williams, 2.Sam Williams, 3.Josh Hunt
2014: 1. Simon Wilson, 2. David McGowan, 3. Richard Handley
2013: 1. Richard Handley, 2. Ryan Mullen, 3. James Gullen
2012: 1. Richard Hepworth, 2. David McGowan, 3. Robert Hassan
2011: 1. Dean Downing, 1. Tom Murray (dead heat) 3. Tom Barras
2010: 1. Dan Craven, 2. Peter Williams, 3. Chris Newton
2009: 1. Rob Hayles, 2. Rob Partridge, 3. Mark McNally
2008: 1. Chris Newton, 2. Dean Downing, 3. Graham Briggs
2007: 1. Ian Stannard, 2. Alex Dowsett, 3. Mark McNally
2006: 1. Chris Newton, 2. Kevin Dawson, 3. Graham Briggs
2005: 1. Kevin Dawson, 2. David McGowan, 3. Ian Wilkinson
2004: 1. Kevin Dawson, 2. Jack Hill, 3. Philip West
2003: 1. Gary Adamson, 2. Kevin Dawson, 3. Ian Wilkinson
2002: 1. Bill Nickson, 2. Chris Burrows, 3. Hamish Haynes
2001: Cancelled
2000: 1. Robin Sharman, 2. Ian Cuthbertson, 3. Hamish Haynes
1999: 1. Mark Lovatt, 2. Alistair Kay, 3. Neil Swithenbank

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