Sam Culverwell takes the win at the Portsdown Classic

What a great day! The positivity shown by the riders of our Continental Team and our USKIS Development Team prior to the race was fantastic. Sadly, USKIS were without Finn Mason who was unfortunately sick but nevertheless all riders were raring to go in the opener to the British Road Race calendar. Each of the riders had what I call the Musketeer ethos, "One for all and all for one". They were at the race to win it but if they didn't, they wanted their team mate to do so and so it played out during the race with each culminating with a great win by Sam Culverwell and finishing off the podium with Rowan Baker in 3rd place. Jamie Whitcher (Bournemouth Cycleworks) who rode well throughout finished in 2nd.

An interesting 'aside' for me was that of the four Conti riders and two USKIS riders in the race, only our Conti Road Captain, Alex Richardson (whose leadership came to the fore before, during and after the race) rode for the Saint Piran family last season.

I also reflect on that this great day and excellent racing wouldn't have happened though without the organiser, Seb and his team of willing volunteers, including marshalls (both mobile and static) commissaries and the rest of the organisation in the convoy including medical so, a big shout of thanks to them."

John Trott- Director of Cycling Saint Piran

Sam Nancarrow13 February 2024