Junior cyclist Joshua Edmondson has won the Tom Simpson Memorial Road Race in Harworth after a non-stop attacking race on Sunday, June 21. The Glendene CC junior crossed the line inches ahead of Isle of Man junior rider Tim Kennaugh in a two up sprint finish which decided the race after 65 miles around the South Yorkshire mining town.
The race
The race began with around 80 junior cyclists taking to the start line in bright sunshine. On what was a relatively easy course with no major climbs on it, coming through on the first lap after around 10 minutes of racing for the six miles, the junior field was all together but a lap later and three riders were away, Felix English, Sam Harrison and Tim Kennaugh. After another six miles however, the game was almost up for them as the bunch were now closing in on them.
Once caught, a counter attack saw a larger group get away and after four laps, it was all go as the break including Sandy King and George Atkins raced through Harworth with the junior cycling field lined out behind them in small groups all desperate to get across to the junior race leaders.
The speed was now so high, the group at the front were caught but that didn't stop more attacks from being launched and two more junior riders were away as they passed the five laps gone mark. Leading the race were Simon Yates and Matt Bailey and they lasted another lap out front until, like the breaks before them, the writing was on the wall after six or so more miles leading and they were soon caught.
There was no lull in the racing though and on lap 7, a group of around 10 juniors were clear of the rest and this proved to be the key move. Behind the break, some of the favourites including George Atkins was chasing alone while Chris Whorral was part of a three man chase group just off the front of the peloton also chasing but no-one was to see the break again.
Riders in the leading move included Connor Dunne, Perry Bowater, Sandy King, Matt Bailey, Joe Perrett, David Nichols, Joshua Edmondson and Tim Kennaugh. The leaders increased their lead after another lap of the 5.9 mile course and while the bunch was chasing, the break was looking like the real deal now and did not look like it was going to fail.
It wasn't until a lap to go though the crucial winning move was made when Tim Kennaugh and Joshua Edmondson got clear of the break and with Edmondson having three teammates in the break, it was a good move for him and the Isle of Man junior.
So it proved as he and Kennaugh stayed clear until the finish where in a photo finish, the two went to the line together with Joshua getting the verdict.
Post race reactions
Joshua Edmondson (winner, Glendene CC): “I’m very pleased with that win, it shows my form is good. I just got it on the line and that was a hard last few k with Tim. We worked well together and then it was a fair sprint up the hill. There were three of us (from Glendene CC) in the break so we had a good chance. We helped keep the break away and then I managed to get away with Tim. I have to thank Bob (Downs) because his advice like how to work in the break helped me win.”
Tim Kennaugh (2nd, Isle of Man): “It was hard on the hills so I thought I’d have a little bit of a dig early on. I was going to sit up but Sam Harrison came across to me and I knew he would work hard so we kept going. Then I went for a prime and Sam had gone back to the bunch so I awaited.”
“After that I followed wheels and a group that looked dangerous got away. I waited for Joe Perrett to make a move and we got away together to get across. I attacked with a lap to go up the hill here (near the finish) and then got beaten in the sprint. That was a hard sprint with that hill in it – 11 times up there and it got harder towards the end.”
“It was a really attacking race and it was hard to know what was going to stick and what wasn’t so you had to go with a fair few of them. The legs weren’t too bad – I’ve just come out of a Olympic Development Camp (doing team pursuiting) and I was a bit tired but no complaints as the legs were good.”
David Nichols (3rd, Glendene CC): “When I saw the three of us (from Glendene CC) up there, I knew we had a pretty good chance. We were going to take it in turns to attack and it was a good win for Josh. Once he got away, there were constant attacks and we were just marking them. Sandy went a few times and each time some one went, Joe and I were jumping on them. We’re really looking forward to the nationals now and I think one of us can bring home the jersey.”
Junior Results
1. Joshua Edmondson, Glendene CC
2. Tim Kennaugh, Isle of Man
3. David Nichols Glendene CC
4. Joe Perrett, Glendene CC
5. Simon Yates, Maxgear
6. Connor Dunne, Hemel Hempstead
7. Sandy King, Twickenham CC
8. Matthew Gee, BC West Midlands
9. Matt Bailey, BC West Midlands
10. Perry Bowater, BC West Midlands
11. Adam Yates, Max Gear RT
12. Robert Hasan, Rock Hard racing
13. Jon Mould, Agiskoviner
14. Chris Whorral, Team Manx
15. Daniel McLay, Univega.co.uk
race report and photos from British Cycling
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