Report: Harry Hudson wins World Title!

Harry Hudson stole the show in the junior men’s road race becoming the first ever British world champion in this event with a sensational 35km solo effort. It topped off a fantastic day for the British squad as teammates Max Hinds and Matthew Peace crossed the line in fourth and fifth, respectively.

REPORT: HISTORIC HUDSON: YORKSHIRE’S HARRY HUDSON BECOMES FIRST BRITISH JUNIOR MEN’S ROAD RACE WORLD CHAMPION
Great Britain Team Press Release

Harry Hudson stole the show in the junior men’s road race becoming the first ever British world champion in this event with a sensational 35km solo effort. It topped off a fantastic day for the British squad as teammates Max Hinds and Matthew Peace crossed the line in fourth and fifth, respectively.

The 119km race unfolded at pace, with an early breakaway group set up within the first lap, as Heimo Fugger (Austria) and Loic Schertenleib (Switzerland) created a 53 second lead on the peloton. Throughout the second lap, riders took their chances and attacked off the front to merge with the duo. Beckam Drake (USA), Nicholas van de Merwe (Bulgaria), Johan Blanc (France), Zeno Winter (Germany) and Ben Morin (Canada) created a lead group of seven, holding a significant 1:37 lead on the peloton.

Heading into the mid-point of the race, the pressure of the regular climbs was getting to some of the lead riders, with the initial breakaway riders dropping back leaving Drake and van de Merwe to lead. Great Britian continued to be well-placed in the peloton, shutting down attacks and conserving their energy for later in the race.

With four laps to go, the peloton began to organise itself and reeled in the remaining chasers, to leave just the two riders hanging on the front, with the bunch coming alive determined to bring them back in.

As the race moved into its second half, the peloton started to string out with attacks coming thick and fast. A chase group of five, including Great Britain’s Matthew Peace managed to get a lead of 35 seconds with around 50km remaining. Peace pushed hard on the 9% climb, upping the pace to test people’s legs as the chase set eyes on the leaders.

Having been on their own for over 60km, Drake and Merwe were finally swept up by the peloton with three laps to go. No sooner was the race back together than Hudson made what was to be his history-making move and erupted off the front, appearing to be on his ascendency.

Over the next 15km he would eek out his lead to over 36 seconds, skilfully holding on for the cobbles; a skilled climber coming into his own. In the bunch, attacks were attempted but Hinds and Peace worked hard to keep them contained and allow Hudson to ride ahead safely.

Hudson only showed a short-lived sign of weakness on the penultimate lap as attacks from the peloton looked like they might be working as the gap dropped to around 21 seconds. With none sticking, Hudson got a second wind and as the bell signalling the final lap sounded, started to give it everything int he chase for that rainbow jersey.

With less than 5km to go, Spanish teammates Cubillas and Benjamin Noval formed a chase group with Blanc which seemed to be gaining on Hudson. However, Noval quickly got dropped and Cubillas suffered an unfortunate crash, securing the inevitability of Hudson’s win. The 18-year-old crossed the line, full of joy and disbelief as he became the first ever Brit to win the junior men’s road race world title.

Having suffered and worked incredibly hard in service of their winning teammate, Max Hinds and Matthew Peace crossed the finish line impressively in fourth and fifth place, respectively. Having had a tough day on the bike, losing momentum on the climbs but battling through to stay with the group, Dylan Sage finished 27th overall.

On his incredible win, Hudson said: “It’s still setting in, it’s a bit crazy. I knew my legs were good but it’s always a surprise; it’s just a dream, I’m so happy. It’s certainly a big step [in his career], my best result yet.

On making his move he said: “I just felt like it was the right time to go and I just attacked. I thought a few of us would go and create a small split but it ended up being solo and I just settled into my pace and ended up going to the line. I thought it was going to get caught a few times, but I just kept going, kept pushing and got the win.”

Tomorrow (SATURDAY) will see Erin Boothman, Gabriella McHugh, Abi Miller, Arabella Blackburn and Mabli Phillips contest the junior women’s road race title.

Photos: Getty Images (Lidl Trek)/UCI_cycling on TwitterX

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