Result: Wightlink Isle of Wight Classic

Matthew Clayton winner of the category 2/3/4 Wightlink Isle of Wight Classic on Sunday, May 18 over a distance of 50 miles

Result: Wightlink Isle of Wight Classic

RACE REPORT: WIGHTLINK IOW CLASSIC ROAD RACE (Sunday, 18th May) — On Sunday 18th May, 50 riders took to the roads on the Isle of Wight to compete in the Wightlink IOW Classic road race – a Regional A race and Round 2 of the South League Series.

In near perfect conditions, the riders set off in the sunshine from the HQ at West Wight Sports and Community Centre to take on 4 laps of the new course for 2025 which would incorporate a KOM and Sprint competition.

The bunch rolled out with the Series Leader, Tommy Stroud, (VC Venta) proudly wearing the Yellow Jersey at the head of the pack. The convoy maintained a steady pace through Afton and over the Freshwater Bay climbs but when the flag was dropped signalling the end of the neutralised zone near Compton Bay, the pace ramped up and gaps started to appear after the second KOM at Brook Shute on the first lap.

Jonathan Smith and Timothy Strickland (GFTL) attacked on the 2nd lap and managed to stay away from the bunch gaining a lead of over a minute at one point and it was looking likely that they would be fighting it out between themselves for the win. However, the bunch began to work together to pull back the duo and as they went through the finish line at the start of the final lap the gap had been reduced to just 20 seconds at the bell.

After being away for over an hour on their own, the toll started to tell on the legs of the breakaway and Smith started to drop back leaving Strickland to push ahead on his own and managed to hang on to the lead and take the final sprint points as the bunch began to bear down on him.

Kev Chant (Wightlink CRT) emptied the tank going full gas on the front for his team to catch the lone rider and succeeded in bringing the race back together as they hit the KOM for the last time. With a race win now up for grabs, the remaining riders powered on through Afton before turning sharp left and hitting the steep 15% climb at Freshwater Bay for the last time.

Matt Clayton, who had managed to save something for the finish, emerged first at the top of the hill and held on to take the win, crossing the line in a time of 02:13:37 to the cheers of the supporters. Scott Richardson (Independent) and Cillian Lewis (Shibden Apex RT) fought it out for the podium places finishing in 02:13:41 and 02:13:47 to take 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Junior rider Betsy North (LIOS Bikes), who at just 16 years old was the youngest rider in the race, put in a brilliant performance to take a well-deserved win in the Women’s category.

A fantastic afternoon of racing which ended with the Presentation of prizes and trophies. The Overall winners (Men and Women) each picked up a £100 voucher with the podium places and category winners each receiving a £50 voucher, courtesy of Wightlink Isle of Wight Ferries, prizes and a stylish trophy to take home.

Timothy Strickland, who deserves credit for staying away for most of the race, took both the KOM and Sprint Champion titles. 3rd placed, Cillian Lewis, was also the Best Junior rider. Eli Tucker (Independent) who finished in 5th place, was the fastest 3rd category rider and local lad Devon Badman (NAUT Cycling Club & RT) picked up the Best 4th category trophy. Oli Nolan (Wightlink CRT) who finished in the Top 10 took home the Best IOW Rider trophy and a voucher courtesy of Adrian’s Bike Shop (Freshwater IOW) and David Roper (Defined Cycling Team) was the best Vet 40+ rider.

Series Leader, Tommy Stroud, finished in 9th place and gained enough points to retain the Yellow jersey for the next round. Organisers, Jerry & Julie Cooper (Wightlink CRT) said after the event: ‘What an absolutely brilliant afternoon of racing! It was great to have some of the South’s top riders competing on a new course which showcased the Island’s scenic roads and it’s really uplifting to have so much positive feedback after the race – we’re now looking forward to doing it all again next year’

‘We can’t thank the 50+ volunteers enough who give up their time to support on the day, local team and event sponsors Island Renewables, Kreative Studios, Rapanui and Adrian’s Bike Shop (Freshwater) and especially team sponsor Wightlink IOW Ferries for the prizes and their continued support with travel – there just wouldn’t be a race without them. Our thanks also go out to the St John’s Ambulance crew for being in attendance and Tesco’s (Freshwater) who were kind enough to donate some refreshments to keep everyone going – the team are proud supporters of Mountbatten hospice and all proceeds from donations will go towards our fundraising for this worthwhile charity’

1. Matthew Clayton, Le Col Race Team
2. Scott Richardson,
3. Cillian Lewis, Shibden Apex RT
4. Patrick Brown, Wolfox CAMS Le Col RT
5. Eli Tucker,
6. Peter Davies,
7. Brett Wheeler, Le Col Race Team
8. Christian Kirkwood, Le Col Race Team
9. Tommy Stroud, Velo Club Venta
10. Oliver Nolan, Wightlink CRT
11. Sam Fox, Racing Club Ravenna
12. Oscar Hoult, Defined Cycling Team
13. Martin Bang, GFTL
14. Owain Williams, London Dynamo
15. Miles Horner, IGNITE Race Team
16. Jack Morgan, IGNITE Race Team
17. Simon Potter, Alton Cycling Club
18. Devon Badman, NAUT Cycling Club & Race Team
19. Sean Lancaric, Le Col Race Team
20. Ollie Smith,
21. Oliver Featherstone, League Rt
22. David Roper, Defined Cycling Team
23. Kevin Chant, Wightlink CRT
24. Sean Russell,
25. Timothy Strickland, GFTL
26. Ewan Cook, Wightlink CRT
27. Jay Whelan, Le Col Race Team
28. Jonathan Smith, Le Col Race Team
29. Casey Byrne, NAUT Cycling Club & Race Team
30. Dan Higginson, Velo 1860
31. Carl Fiford, Portsmouth North End CC
32. James Veal, Wightlink CRT
33. Rollo Dixon, NAUT Cycling Club & Race Team
34. Andrew Haigh, Onyx Racing Team
35. Max Willcocks,
36. Samuel Inglis, Kingston Wheelers CC
37. Michael Onions,
38. Adam Holleyman,
39. Betsy North, LIOS Bikes
40. Richard Tilley, Bristol RC
41. Yen Chung Kok,