Chain reaction ruins Wood’s winning chance

A frustratingly ill-timed mechanical problem ruined Harrison Wood’s chances of pulling off a big result in only his second race for his new Portuguese cycling team (writes Dave Thomas).

Wood, who has joined the SabGal-Anicolor squad after two years with French WorldTour outfit Cofidis, was one of the strongest riders in a six-man breakaway heading into the closing stages of Spain’s GP Premio Castellon at the weekend.

But Wood’s chain came off at a key moment, he was caught as he tried to adapt to a replacement bike from the ‘neutral service’ vehicle and eventually finished down the field.

Wood, 24, from Torquay said: “I was still feeling good. I had planned to go solo on the final climb and then go deep into the finale when the chasers caught me.

“But the service bike was nowhere near my set-up. I did my best, but it was over for me.”

Former Mid-Devon CC starlet Wood raced three times over the weekend in Spain, his best result a 26th, just over a minute down on the winner, in Friday’s Classica Camp de Morvedre (178K).

Sunday’s Classica Comunitat Valenciana (184K) was won by UAE Team Emirates’ Tour de France stage and Classics winner Marc Hirschi, with Wood coming in with a large group at nine minutes down.

“My legs were feeling it from the days before, to be honest, which was a shame as I had hoped to do something,” he said.

“But overall I’m feeling good and looking forward to the races coming up.”

Wood is expected to ride in Majorca and a one-day race in Portugal before the Vuelta a Algarve in the middle of next month.

Paignton’s Torbay Velopark will not stage a round of the National Trophy Cyclo-Cross Series next year, despite hosting successful two-day meetings in November 2023 and 2024.

Co-organiser Rob Woodger said: “We thought we might have been asked again, but there are plenty of other venues that want to put on National Trophy rounds.

“It does involve a lot of work, but we’ll be putting in for another round in 2026 and we’re optimistic that we’ll get it then.”

Meanwhile, significantly improved entries continue to reward several changes to the MDCC’s flagship Dartmoor Classic sportive (June 22).

The 2025 Classic, the 17th edition, will feature redesigned routes for all three rides (Grande, Medio and Piccolo) and a range of new benefits and offers.

Well over a thousand riders have already signed up, with five months still to go.