Noemie Thompson takes record win in Melton cycling Classic

With a winning margin of over three minutes, established incredibly over just the last 20 kms of the race, Thomson (DAS-Hutchinson) romped home to finish alone in Melton town centre and take the £1,000 first prize.

With overcast skies after a week of sunshine the 120 woman field set off from Melton to cover the 105 kms route taking in the most challenging hills and farm tracks that the local area has become famous for.

The pace was on from the start and after only the first passage of Owston there were noticeably several groups of riders spread over several minutes,

With several regroupings taking place and new groups reforming, Thomson first went clear with only one other rider able to match her as the race reached Leesthorpe and the first of two circuits of Cuckoo Hill and Stapleford Park which would decide the race.

Powering clear of her companion on the first ascent of Cuckoo Hill, Thomson proceeded to push home her advantage and despite the efforts of 2025 winner, Lucy Harris (Draft Racing) to lead the chase, Thomson was in a class of her own pushing on her advantage which would be in excess of three minutes at the finish line.

A group of 20 riders, which contained what represented the best of the rest, entered Melton to contest the sprint finish from which surprisingly 17-year-old Melanie Rowe, a Junior rider from the CAMS-Majaco Team took second place on the line from Thomson’s DAS-Hutchinson teammate Morven Yeoman.

After having worked hard to bring back Thomson, last year’s winner, Harris finally finished 12th. There were 70 finishers in total.

Resplendant in her race winner's jersey Thomson also received the large pork pie presented to the winner by Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe, for which the race has become famous.

She also became the first leader of British Cycling’s Women’s road race series for 2026 of which the CiCLE Classic was once again the first counting event.

Earlier in the day 120 junior men had set out on the 12th edition of the ANEXO/CAMS Junior CiCLE Classic over the same 105 kms course.

While there were plenty of riders wishing to forge a gap, on this occasion none were able to match the achievement of now World Junior Road Race Champion Harry Hudson in 2025 and ride alone into Melton.

Instead a group of around 20 riders remained in contention on the approach to the town.

With several minor crashes splitting the group before entering Sherrard Street, it resulted in a win for William Coles (Cannibal B- Victorious) in the same time as William Brown (Shibden Apex RT) ahead of the remainder of the group all within seven seconds with 57 finishers in total.

The events once again proved a great sporting success and spectacle, placing Melton as a major centre of top class cycle racing.

The events were sponsored by ANEXO/CAMS with the Queen and King of the Hills competitions supported by Ribble Cycles and the Team competition in the Women’s event supported by Pearces jewellers of Melton and Oakham.

Colin Clews, executive race director, said, “ The level of competition and quality of the riding that we are now seeing from younger age group riders is amazing, and it is a tribute to events like the CiCLE Classics that our budding future Olympic hopefuls are able to experience closed road racing in Britain.

“We are grateful to Melton for enabling us to provide such high quality of races.

“Following this further success, we can now look forward to the landmark 20th edition of the Sigma Sports/Schwalbe UK International men’s CiCLE Classic on 26th April.”

Clews added that they are always on the lookout for additional helpers interested to get involved in the organisation of the events - contact him via [email protected] or 07979 856262.​​​​​​​