This year marks the 40th edition of the Jock Wadley Memorial Road Race, this year kindly sponsored by award-winning Colchester-based engineering consultancy Cahill Design Consultants. Over the last 40 years, the National B road race and has become an early season classic for UK racing cyclists and a ride in the starting peloton is sought after. This year we received 110 entries for a start list of 80 riders.
The event pays tribute to Jock Wadley, Colchester Rovers member and influential cycling journalist who played a significant role in introducing British audiences to European cycle racing through his work with publications like The Bicycle, Sporting Cyclist, and International Cycle Sport. Jock’s working life as a cycling journalist and writer lasted over 40 years.
The race is made up of 12 laps, 134 kms in the anti-clockwise direction around the Abberton Reservoir, one of Europe’s top wetland sites.
Previous winners include Luke Rowe (now INEOS Grenadiers ) who won it in 2008 and Jonathan Tiernan-Locke (formally Team Sky) in 2010, other noteworthy riders over the years have been Ed Clancy OBE, Yanto Barker and 2-time winner Andy Lyons, now team boss of Richardson Trek.
The Jock Wadley course over the years has produced some exciting racing, especially the 2023 edition which was won at a record speed by Alexandar Richardson of team Saint Piran. Alexandar returns again with his St Piran UCI Continental teammates.
Race organiser this year is Nick Swainston, Colchester Rovers vice chairman, who was handed the reigns by Malcolm Hargreaves who stepped down after last year’s race following a very successful 24 years in the role of race organiser. Without Malcolm’s dedication, the Jock Wadley Road Race wouldn’t be the early-season British classic that it has become.
Given the prediction of rainfall and the enthusiasm of 80 participants to demonstrate their skills after the winter break, the competition is expected to be intense. Riders leave the race HQ in Layer de la Haye at 11 am on Sunday.10th March.
A preview of the event, published in the national cycling media, can be found on the following link.
