Inaugural Isle of Wight Road Race a cycling success, say organisers

The event — the brainchild of Jerry Cooper, inspired by the Tour of Britain and in bringing a major event to the Island following the disappointment of its cancellation last year — attracted a top field of cyclists.

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The event itself comprised separate Regional A races for Category 2, 3 and 4 women (70km) and men (80km), on a sporting course around the scenic roads of the West Wight.

Action from inaugural the Isle of Wight Road Race 2023. (Image: Paul Taylor/Wightlink Wight Mountain CRT)

Riders rolled out in convoy from Chessell Pottery Cafe, a big Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Race Team (WWMCRT) supporter, and started racing once they hit the Military Road — continuing circuits via Chale, Shorwell and Brighstone.

The final loop took them over Brook Shute, finishing at the top of the gruelling steep climb at Freshwater Bay.

The event, organised by Jerry and wife, Julie, who are used to running cycling events on the Island, could not have been more pleased by how well it went.

Paul Bernard (Precise Performance RT) proved too strong for Max Fleming (LAKA Pedal Mafia RT) — powering home to take the win after more than two hours of racing, averaging 27mph for the 54-mile course. 

Action from inaugural the Isle of Wight Road Race 2023. (Image: Paul Taylor/WWMCRT)

Julie said: "A fantastic day for our inaugural road race — and we’ve had some really positive feedback from the production team and riders. 

"The sprint on the Military Road and the KOM (King of the Mountain) at Hunny Hill were highly-contested on all three laps, before the riders peeled off at Brook for the last five-mile loop to the finish.

"It was a tough day of racing on a challenging course, which saw half the field dropped by the second lap."

George Cottrell (Poole Wheelers CC) held off the chasing bunch to take third, while Charlie Abraham (Lee Valley Youth Cycling Club), who just missed out on a podium place, won the Best Junior trophy.

Action from inaugural the Isle of Wight Road Race 2023. (Image: Paul Taylor/WWMCRT)

Barnard also dominated the sprint competition to pick up another title, and Nick Rhodes (Portsmouth North End CC) was a deserving winner of the KOM trophy. 

The best Island rider on the day was James Spencer (NAUT Cycling Club and Race Team), while Elvis Belton finished as first WWMCRT rider across the line. 

Julie, who paid tribute to sponsors and volunteers, added: "After a year of planning, we’re so pleased the event was such a success.

"It was an absolutely brilliant day of racing. We couldn’t have wished for better conditions for our first road race, and we’re now looking forward to doing it all again next year!"

WWMCRT’s charity partner, Mountbatten, will benefit from funds raised from the event.