Edgehill summit finish delivers dramatic Banbury Star road race
Banbury Star’s cycling road race, part of the Oxfordshire and the West Midlands Road Race Leagues, returned with a thrilling new summit finish on Edgehill, producing dramatic finales in both the Open and Women’s 52-mile races.
The race was reduced by a half-lap this year to create a summit finish at the top of The Knowle in Edgehill. The near mile-long climb, with gradients reaching 15 per cent, had to be tackled four times by competitors, making for a gruelling test of endurance. For some riders, exhaustion and cramp proved too much before the finish.
The Open race for Category 2, 3 and 4 riders started in mild, cloudy conditions, although the forecast rain thankfully never arrived. A field of 69 riders took to the start line, including Banbury Star riders Ed Anderson, Elliott Clarke and Joe Hedley.
The high quality of the field was evident from the outset, with an early breakaway immediately attacking from the flag drop in Banbury along the Warwick Road towards Kineton. This strong break started with local rider, Rich Santhouse in the mix along with three others - Max Bolton (ride revolution), Oliver Searle (AIRC) and Ben Heap (London Dynamo).
As expected, the first ascent of The Knowle split the field, with the stronger climbers forcing clear. The chasing riders managed to regroup on the fast descent into Horley, but with every lap the race fragmented further as the repeated climbs began to take their toll.
Eventually, a decisive breakaway group of around 15 riders emerged and was never likely to be caught. Within that leading group, experienced riders jostled for position while others showed signs of fatigue as spectators gathered for the final climb to the summit finish.
By this last lap, the powerful peloton brought the 3-man breakaway under control, catching them on The Knowle.
Two promising local 17-year-olds and former Banbury Star members, Sam Martin of VC Londres and Will Morris of Beeston Cycling Club, launched a superb late attack just 50 metres from the line. Sam edged clear to win by around three seconds in a thrilling finish. Harry Howlett of Halesowen Cycling Club finished third, only a few seconds behind, followed by a further group of around 10 riders.
Sam Martin said: “I felt pretty good on the hill every time in the bunch. I knew if I could move up as soon as we turned the corner I had a decent chance on the final climb. With around 150m to go, I was battling with two or three others, but one final kick got me to the line! It’s my local road race, I’ve enjoyed watching it for quite a few years, and it’s really cool to win it as a junior."
Points awarded to the first five riders to ascend The Knowle saw Harry Howlett accumulate enough to take the King of the Mountains award.
Several other local riders, including Reuben Trotter, Rich Santhouse, Sam Harding and Ben Dodd, also completed the demanding event. In total, 59 riders finished the course.
The women’s event, part of the British Women’s Team Cup Road Race, featured Elite and First Category riders alongside 2nd and 3rd Category competitors. By the start of the race, conditions had become more challenging, with strengthening winds and threatening rain clouds gathering overhead. Nevertheless, 53 riders started the same demanding course.
Unlike the Open race, the women’s peloton remained largely together until the opening climb of The Knowle. By the summit, only six riders remained in contention: Ruby Oakes and Anna Boniface of FTP-Fulfil The Potential Racing, Grace Sargeant of London Academy, Lily Martin of Loughborough Lightning, Jennifer Powell of Performance Development Team and Amy Henchoz of Paralloy Racing Team.
With each lap, the leading group grew smaller as relentless climbing created ever-larger gaps throughout the field. By the final lap, only three riders remained at the front.
As the leaders approached the final ascent of The Knowle, the weather briefly brightened and the atmosphere intensified, with spectators ringing cowbells and cheering the riders on. Lily Martin launched the decisive attack on the climb and crested the hill 15 seconds ahead of Amy Henchoz to claim victory. Jennifer Powell finished third.
Amy Henchoz took the Queen of the Mountains award having accumulated the most points.
Local rider Peggy Simpkins, a regular Banbury Star rider and teammate of Lily Martin, also received a loud reception from the crowd as she crossed the line among the 49 finishers.
Banbury Star Cyclists’ Club once again demonstrated its ability to host a major event, further strengthening the town’s reputation on the British Cycling race calendar.
Want to see more local cycle racing? Banbury Star Cyclists’ Club is staging a Festival of Racing event at Shennington Karting Circuit on Saturday, August 1, with free entry to the public.