Cat Ferguson, Rob Scott and Jim Brown nudged off podium at Otley Cycle Races

By Nick Westby
Published 27th Jun 2024, 13:55 BST
Updated 27th Jun 2024, 13:56 BST
Yorkshire cyclists did a good job of filling out the podium spots at a sun-drenched Otley Cycle Races on Wednesday night, but none of the home riders could actually take the top step.

That is because the honours in the two National Circuit Series season-opening races for men and women went to the Isle of Man’s Matt Bostock and Loughborough’s Frankie Hall respectively.

Bostock won the men’s race in 57 minutes 42 seconds, knocking into second place 25-year-old Rob Scott of Halifax who was riding for Tekkerz CC and Jim Brown, 23, of Holmfirth, a Ribble Rebellion team-mate of race winner Bostock.

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“I felt good all race,” said Bostock. “I spent a few pennies early doors and then I felt it wasn’t really going to be a breakaway today.

The senior men compete in the Otley Cycle Races Rayner Foundation GP (Picture: Tony Johnson)The senior men compete in the Otley Cycle Races Rayner Foundation GP (Picture: Tony Johnson)
The senior men compete in the Otley Cycle Races Rayner Foundation GP (Picture: Tony Johnson)

"So from there I sat back, the other boys did a great job following everything and I got to wait for the finish.”

In the women’s race, Skipton teenager Cat Ferguson underlined her growing reputation by earning a podium spot for the second successive year as she finished third in the colours of her Shibden Apex RT team, behind Hall and Danni Watkinson.

The teams and riders have little time to rest on the results of the Otley Cycle Races as the National Circuit Series now moves onto Ilkley on Friday night and the second round of seven in the summer season.

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The women’s race starts at 7.30pm and the men’s at 8.30pm, with 32 metres of climbing on each 1.5km lap.

Competitors race down Gay Lane in the Otley Cycle Races Santini Womens GP (Picture: Tony Johnson)Competitors race down Gay Lane in the Otley Cycle Races Santini Womens GP (Picture: Tony Johnson)
Competitors race down Gay Lane in the Otley Cycle Races Santini Womens GP (Picture: Tony Johnson)

The start-finish line is on The Grove before riders hang a right onto Riddings Road, then onto Albany Walk, Parish Ghyll Drive and then up to Wilton Road before cutting back onto The Grove.

It is the 10th anniversary of the Ilkley Cycle Races, with the first winner being local favourite Tom Pidcock who on Saturday takes to the startline of the Tour de France for the third time.

Pidcock also holds the lap record at Ilkley of 1m59s.

Related topics:YorkshireTom PidcockIlkley