Lincoln Grand Prix - 2024
Saint Piran secured all three podium places in last years event, so they were under intense scrutiny during the early stages. Eventually a breakaway of six riders formed on lap four with a classic move up Michaelgate. Under beautiful skies the famous hill was unusually warm for early May. We walked down to the bottom for those first few laps, it’s always a spectacle watching 120 riders try to squeeze between the curb stones as the road narrows to start the climb.
Heading up the hill towards the finish line, we stopped to grab a coffee from the Rapha waggon which had parked itself in the shadow of the Cathedral. The cobbled streets and medieval buildings are in stark contrast to the modern crowds, all hoisting smart phones and cameras over each other to capture the action. A wonderful place to host a bike race.
The riders come round so fast it’s impossible to believe they’ve just dispatched another 12.8km. John Archibald went solo with four laps to go after working well with Will Perrett, but ultimately deciding not to wait for the Spirit TBW rider as he extended his lead up the climb. One of my favourite places to watch the action is on Bailgate. Despite having just hurled themselves up the most difficult climb in the county, the riders soon tuck in and fly down this stretch. Still pathed with cobbles, carbon wheels echo and chains rattle as the riders jostle for position between the barriers. I remember back when my Dad raced here, this used to be the feed zone. I stood terrified as a kid watching Mum try to get a bottle handed off in the chaos.
The lone leader was reeled in with three to go. George Kimber and Adam Lewis were next to try their luck, being joined by Alexander Richardson, Matt King and David Hird. Both Matt Bostock and Matt Holmes gave chase, but only Holmes would make it to the leading pack. Due to a miscalculation Richardson attacked up the climb with one lap to go, before celebrated as he crossed the line, thinking he had won the race.
The leaders would regroup and decide to work together to the finish, but that mistake looked to have taken the most out of the defending victor. With 160km in the legs, Kimber took a swing on an early move but was caught as they hit the cobbles for the final time. It would be Matt Holmes who would finally distanced himself from the others, taking a well deserved victory.