13/08/2025
The UKAF Cycling Open Team got together first the first time in 2025 to race at the Sherpa Performance Stage Race in Colchester. Maj Tom Reynolds, Capt Ian McCaul, Sgt Rich Summerbell, Cpl Euan Campbell and Cpl Danny Hedley pulled on their NoPinz UKAF skin suits for the first time.
The first day of racing saw the riders tackle two, 60 minute crit races albeit in opposite directions of the purpose built cycle circuit.
Stage 1 was a mix of results. A crash at the half way point saw two UKAF riders hit the concrete. Both remounted their bikes but with a large gap to close and, after confirming they could stop riding to get treatment on their wounds and continue in stage 2, they pulled themselves from the race. The stage finished on a positive note with Danny putting in a well timed attack to get in the winning break and sprinting to fourth over the line.
Stage 2 was largely uneventful after a break of 5 riders broke away from the bunch quite early. Euan put in a large dig to bridge over the 20second gap but the effort to stay in the break combined with the effort to bridge took its toll and he sat up to recover in the chasing bunch. The break stayed away the entire race with the bunch contesting the remaining spaces, all UKAF riders opting to roll in safely.
Day 2 began with an iTT for Stage 3. The 8km course was generally flat with a 1km drag to the line meaning pacing to finish fast was important. With the efforts from the previous day, and an eye on Stage 4, the riders put in strong efforts to stay in contention for the General Classification (GC).
Stage 4 consisted of a 127km road race on the same roads of the iTT with the added bonus of some winding country lanes. It was in these lanes that a crash took down Danny early in the race and, despite completing a further 2 laps, he had the withdraw from the pain to his hand. Another break of 6 riders opened up a substantial gap and, with attacks coming from the peloton behind, the bunch slowly started to whittle down in numbers as riders couldn’t hold the pace. 35 riders started the stage and only 22 finished. Euan Campbell put in a strong effort to finish in the reduced bunch even finding
