Tom Simpson Junior Road Race

June 21, 2009, Harworth, South Yorkshire; Promoted by Dinnington RC
British Cycling Junior National Series
Report & pictures by Larry Hickmott ()

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 rider crossed the line inches ahead of Isle of Man rider Tim Kennaugh in a two up sprint finish which decided the race after 65 miles around the South Yorkshire mining town.

Riders line-up for the pre-race briefing by commissaire Bob Howden.

The Photo Album

To view a photo album from the race, go to the top of the page and click on the link or if you want to view them full screen, click here to view.

The race
The race began with around 80 riders 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 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 field lined out behind them in small groups all desperate to get across to the 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 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.

Joe Perrett and Tim Kennaugh lead the break that dominated the second half of the race and from which the race winner came.

There was no lull in the racing though and on lap 7, a group of around 10 riders 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 rider.

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.

Joshua Edmondson (right) gets his wheel in front on the finish to deny Tim Kennaugh the victory.

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.”

Result

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

Prime 1: Tim Kennaugh
Prime 2: Simon Yates
Prime 3: Tim Kennaugh

More Photos

Katusha professional Ben Swift who rode to a third place on a stage in the Giro recently, was at the end of the Junior event to present the prizes and flowers which were kindly donated by Bawtry Flowers & Plants. L-R David Nichols, Joshua Edmondson, Tim Kennaugh and Ben Swift.

The peloton was more or less intact as they came through to complete the first lap.

The Isle of Man's Chris Nicholson leads a chase in the peloton

Sam Harrison leads Tim Kennaugh and Felix English on lap 2

George Atkins and Sandy King lead the counter attack.

Another of the breaks lead here by Jon Mould. The break also included Jake Tanner, Ewan McDonald, Matt Bailey,  George Atkins and Sandy King.

Simon Yates and Matt Bailey out front for a few laps of the race on their own.

Not even halfway through the race and the riders were racing at full speed through the town to try and get up to the leading duo.

After the final break went with under half the race left, George Atkins knew it was the one and chased solo to try and get to it but unfortunately for him, failed to get across and went back to the bunch.

A lap to go and Tim Kennaugh attacks the break and Joshua Edmondson is on his wheel and the two of them went on to contest the sprint for the win.

Sandy King chases Kennaugh and Edmondson in vain.

David Nichols wins the sprint for third.

Conor Dunne gets sixth

And finally, after a lesson from Ben Swift on how to spary the champagne, Joshua Edmondson gave it a good shake...