Just 7 months after Lincoln was scene for the National Championships, the best of the British domestic riders were back in action for the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix presented by Pro-Noctis, the first of seven rounds of the British Cycling National Road Series for 2022.

The 166km Road Race which starts and finishes beneath the Gothic-style Lincoln Cathedral in Castle Square, included 13 ascents of the infamous Michaelgate cobbled climb up to the castle with an average gradient of 11% with ramps of up to 20%. Although only rising only 33 metres over it’s 300 metre length, it is often a decisive point for breaking up a race, especially as it is followed by a false flat as the riders pass the Cathedral.

1. Lincoln Grand Prix Circuit

WiV SunGod named 8 riders for this race in a field of 150: Toby Barnes, Jim Brown, Damien Clayton, Ben Perry, Jacob Scott, Rob Scott, Matthew Teggart & Josh Whitehead. Jacob Scott, Whitehead and Brown had finished in 14^th, 15^th & 16^th places respectively last October but would be looking to place higher without the contingent of British riders that ride at World Tour level being present.

Strong opposition was expected from two of Tim Elverson’s former riders Alex Richardson (Le Col) who had won this race in 2018 and Harry Tanfield (Ribble Weldtite) who had finished 4^th in last year’s National Road Race. Finn Crockett (Ribble Weldttite) was also a rider to watch having won the recent CiCLE Classic in Rutland.

With the race starting in fine & sunny conditions, WiV SunGod gathered in numbers towards the front of the peloton helping to keep the pace high and to discourage breakaways. Clayton was the first WiV SunGod rider to make an impression riding strongly towards the front for the opening laps and looking most likely to create a break and briefly escaped with Ed Morgan (Wales Racing Academy).

2. Damien Clayton and Ed Morgan lead up Michaelgate

3. Jacob Scott Perry and Brown control the peloton

Clayton later joined a more decisive break with Harry Birchill (Team Inspired), William Truelove (Wales Racing Academy) and Wiv SunGod team-mate Rob Scott achieving a maximum gap of around 1 minute.

4. Rob Scott leads the second breakaway

Their lead was slowly whittled away with Richardson and Luke Lamperti (Trinity Racing) being prominent in leading the chase.

5. Josh Whitehead gurns his way up Michaelgate

6. Toby Barnes in the peloton

The catch was made on the 11^th lap by the chasing group which included 4 Trinity Racing team members along with Crockett and two more WiV SunGod riders, Brown & Perry.

7. Jim Brown climbs the cobbles

8. Perry in a Trinity sandwich

Conor McGoldrick (Richardsons Trek DAS) made a break for it on the penultimate climb but was brought back by the persuing group which had grown to over 30 riders including Jacob Scott & Teggart. With Ribble Weldtite also present towards the front in numbers, the crowd was in for an entertaining grandstand finish.

9. Matthew Teggart leads Alex Richardson

With the leading group being stretched out on the return back to Lincoln, it would be the strongest riders up the final Michaelgate climb which would decide the finishing order.

It was the American Luke Lamperti (Trinity Racing) who proved himself to be the strongest in the finale followed by WiV SunGod’s Canadian Ben Perry and Scot Finn Crockett (Ribble Weldtite).

10. Ben Perry finishes 2nd followed by Crockett

Jim Brown (WiV SunGod) was 4^th finisher and first Under 23 rider.

11. Brown finishes 4th and top Under 23

Matthew Teggart was 11^th, Jacob Scott 16^th, Josh Whitehead 23^rd and Toby Barnes 39^th. After his strong ride in the breakaway Rob Scott was unfortunate to crash into a filthy ditch in the closing stages but fought on bravely to finish in 71^st and final place.

12. Rob Scott battles to the finish despite a crash which caused him to fall into a ditch

This was another impressive performance by the WiV SunGod team with that  elusive win just out of grasp!

13. Perry on the podium with Lamperti and Crockett

After the race Team Principal Tim Elverson said on Instagram: “2^nd from Ben Perry and 4^th by Jim Brown from a very good team effort. WiV SunGod tactics worked well, we gave ourselves every chance to win, just pipped by a great ride from Luke Lamperti of Trinity Racing.”

Race photo gallery available here.

Full results available here.

All Photos: Hugh McManus

Report: Paul & Marina Stedman