The Dartmoor Classic Cycle a resounding success

The 15th Dartmoor Classic cycle marathon proved to be another memorable chapter of the long-running event, and thoughts are already turning to an improved 2024 edition.

Just over 2,000 riders from all over the UK entered the gruelling Mid-Devon CC test, held over three routes across the Moor and based at Newton Abbot Racecourse.

First held in near-monsoon conditions in 2007 and interrupted only by the Covid pandemic since, the Classic did not approach its peak (4,000) field this year, in line with most other cycling and running marathons across the country.

It's still the biggest not-for-profit 'sportive' in the UK.

But a combination of good weather, a buoyant field and the Classic's famed organisation backed by hundreds of volunteers, ensured that the 2023 version was another successful one.

There were only a handful of accidents, requiring medical attention, with the event support staff also dealing with the usual mechanical issues around the Piccolo (38m), Medio (67m) and Grande (107m) routes.

The return of the colourful two-day Depart/Finish 'village' at the Racecourse was also welcomed by everyone, and it's hoped to expand that area next year.

Cycle racer Harrison Wood has been put on standby for this season's third 'Grand Tour', Spain's Vuelta, after just missing out on selection for the current Tour de France.

The young Torquay pro earned widespread praise for his brave tenth place in the British National Road Race Championships in Yorkshire recently.

But his French team Cofidis have decided not to pitch him into the gruelling TdF in his first WorldTour year, despite an impressive six months of racing.

Instead, former Mid-Devon CC starlet Wood, 23, will have a short break, then a round of high-altitude training in the French Alps and a programme which includes the prestigious Tour of Poland later this month, possibly the Vuelta in August and a series of major Italian one-day classics in September.

At the 'Nationals', held over a hill-packed 189K near Redcar, Wood did well to mount a solo pursuit which carried him up to the winning attack of what turned into a brutal race.

When a select group, including eventual champion Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious), attacked again in the closing stages, Wood could not respond, but he still rode strongly into tenth place, six minutes down on Wright but the same time ahead of the next man.

Only 20 of nearly 150 starters finished the race, described by Wood as 'the hardest day I've ever spent on the bike', but there was bad luck for Newton Abbot's Harry Birchill (Saint Piran).

Birchill was still going well, despite puncture and mechanical problems, when he was pulled out on the last lap.

Bovey Tracey youngster Jacob Start, 14, won the second stage of the London Two-Day junior race, held at circuits in Kent and East London.

Start (MDCC) was eighth overall, only half-a-minute down on the winner, ahead of team-mates Matt Holmes and Bayley Woodger.