Preparing for the new season

As the new season rapidly approaches, welcome to our first update of the year on the progress of Halesowen Cycling Academy. We’re continuing our sponsorship of the Academy for the next two years and are proud of our involvement with the club. Now in its 10^th year, the academy supports junior and under-23 riders in pursuing their ambitions in road and track cycling. Our help supports the Academy in areas such as coaching, nutrition, clothing and travel so that all riders are better equipped to realise their potential.

As part of their preparations for the 2026 season and in anticipation of the first race of the season, the Evesham Vale road races, the Academy squad set up camp in the Peak District for a training weekend at the end of February. After weeks of heavy rain the weather was a little kinder – at least for the first few hours of Saturday morning’s session – as the riders headed out for a 66km tour from Darley Moor, up and down the west side of the Peaks.

This was followed in the afternoon by some drills on the track involving team time trial training and attack and chase simulation to replicate racing conditions. The afternoon finished with practicing more essential skills, this time passing and collecting water bottles while riding at speed. By this time the rain had returned – in large quantities – but a few members of the squad still insisted on riding the 25km return trip to the group’s accommodation, which included 500m of elevation!

Sunday brought fresh challenges in the form of a 134km loop out to the north through Buxton to Castleton and back, taking in 22 climbs and some 2,500m of elevation. These included iconic names such as Dove Holes and Mam Tor, as well as the descent of Winnats. The under-23s completed the full distance, while the juniors covered just over 120km. As an extra surprise, former Academy rider Rose Lewis dropped by to join the group ride after completing a training week in Spain with her new cams-majaco team.

First race preview

The traditional season-opener in the West Midlands, the Evesham Vale road races on March 8, has drawn a strong team from local squad Halesowen Academy, with Ben Arey, Luke Mannings, Harry Howlett and Kaleb Herbert lining up in the main race for senior riders in the morning, and first-year juniors Malachi Bailey, Xander Brandon-Higgs, Wilfred Franklin and James Saunders in the support race in the afternoon.

The Evesham races take place on a 14-mile undulating circuit not far from Stratford-upon-Avon – centred upon the village that is the model for Ambridge in the Archers – and the main race for elite, first and second category riders has a rich winner’s list going back to 1998, with a host of former professional riders on the roll of honour.

The race will have a new winner with 2025 victor George Kimber now plying his trade in France. In 2018 the best Halesowen rider was junior Ryan Oldfield in 18th, with Mannings 23rd and Arey 28th, all to the front of the main group.

“This will be a good test for our senior riders as they build towards the Ras Mumhan at Easter. It’s always a key moment as the first race gives the riders a chance to measure where they are,” said team manager William Fotheringham. “And for our first year juniors, the afternoon race should prove a good way to begin racing on open roads, without too much pressure.”

Photos by Gary Main