Matt Cronshaw takes victory at Leicester Castle Classic
One Pro Cycling win team classification in the Elite Road Series but Matt Cronshaw wins the Leicester Castle Classic for Madison Genesis

Leicester Castle Classic 2014
Matt Cronshaw (Madison Genesis) edged to a thrilling sprint victory at the end of the Leicester Castle Classic, final round of the British Cycling Elite Road Series on Sunday.
The 26-year-old’s victory was well deserved by the Madison Genesis team, who had dominated almost every move in the 80-kilometre Kermesse-style race.
The result left the commissaires frantically working out the final overall placings, but Evan Oliphant (Raleigh GAC) was named as the Grand Prix Series winner, while his team-mate Steve Lampier was the Elite Road Series winner.
One Pro Cycling edged to victory in the team standings, while Eddie Dunbar (NFTO) was the best Under-23 rider of the Series.
Madison Genesis had four riders in the first major break of the day, a 12-rider break which never really gained more than 30 seconds on the bunch before being reeled in.
Four rider attacked again at around half distance – including two Madison Genesis shirts – and when another three got across to form the decisive seven-man break, there were three distinctive orange Madison Genesis helmets in there.
Each of them attacked, first Erick Rowsell and then Mark McNally, but after they were both pulled back it was left for Cronshaw to come round Alex Paton (Pedal Heaven) in the sprint to take the win.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“It was an incredible race today - the first group that went away had four Madison Genesis guys in it,” said Cronshaw. “Most of the team have just come back from a training camp in the Pyrenees so we thought they may be a bit tired, but that wasn’t the case which was amazing.
“Erick [Rowsell] had a few digs, but with a lap and a bit to go Mark [McNally] attacked and stayed away. Jon Mould brought him back and it all went pear-shaped, but in the sprint I came round Alex Paton with a few metres to go.
“I’ve really enjoyed my season with Madison. This race epitomises the team’s season, everyone just gets stuck in and it worked out.”
Results:
1 Matt Cronshaw (Madison Genesis)
2 Alex Paton (Pedal Heaven)
3 George Atkins (One Pro Cycling)
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
I rode my bike outside for the first time in four months after a winter cycling indoors - did riding 2,000 miles in my shed prepare me for outdoor reality?
Steve has taken on indoor challenges long and short over winter, but would 15-miles on the road prove a pedal stroke too far?
By Stephen Shrubsall Published
-
Mavic Syncros SL MIPS Helmet review: a jack of all trades but master of none?
Designed for road, gravel, and even XC MTB, the Syncros SL is a feature-packed multi-use helmet, but does it hit the allrounder sweet spot?
By Neal Hunt Published
-
Why Sunday’s stage of the Tour de Yorkshire might be the hardest ever on British soil
Yorkshire is known for its testing roads and demanding climbs, but stage four of this year’s Tour de Yorkshire could well be the hardest ever laid out on British soil. We previewed part of the course with Madison-Genesis to see what lies ahead on Sunday - Photos by Luke Webber/Madison
By Paul Knott Published
-
Madison Genesis and One Pro Cycling teams unveil their new bikes for 2018
British teams Madison Genesis and One Pro Cycling reveal their bikes and the kit they will be riding in during the 2018 season
By Nigel Wynn Published
-