GRETTON, APRIL 26, 2026 – On a day defined by clear blue skies and almost still air, the N&DCA series continued its journey through the rolling Northamptonshire countryside. While the picturesque village of Gretton and the grand arches of the Harringworth viaduct provided a stunning backdrop, the real story was written on the tarmac, where Paul Pardoe secured his second win of the season.

Pardoe at the Double
Paul Pardoe (Peterborough CC) proved once again why he is the defending champion. Tackling the significant climb through Gretton with trademark efficiency, he stopped the clock at 22:14 to take the overall win. Despite the favourable weather, the rolling nature of the NY29 course kept times honest, with Pardoe finishing nearly 40 seconds clear of his nearest rival.

The podium was rounded out by a strong showing from George Fox Cycling Solutions. Dan Whitehouse-Smith took the silver medal with a 22:53, followed by teammate Jack Eastman-Nye, who secured third in 23:43, although lacking a third rider they were not in the running for the team prize won this week by Peterborough CC.

Road Bike Revolution
The event saw a record turnout for the Road Bike category, with nearly half the field opting for standard road setups over specialist TT machines.

Alex Whitmore (Ratae RC) led the road bike charge, finishing 7th overall with an impressive 24:15. He was followed closely by a phalanx of Rockingham Forest Wheelers, led by Chris Fowler (24:25) and Alex Barrowman (24:39), who secured second and third in the category respectively. This surge in road bike participation highlights the growing appeal of "traditional" racing in the district.

Women’s and Improvement Categories
In the Women’s race, Ruth Dempsey (Rockingham Forest Wheelers) delivered a masterclass, finishing in 26:05 to take a comfortable victory. Zoe Shepherd (Team M.I. Racing) and Lynne Wilkinson-Scofield (Rockingham Forest Wheelers) completed the podium.

The "Best Improvement" honours went to Richard Lamb (Peterborough CC), who defied the challenging Gretton hill to beat his Spindata prediction by 42 seconds—the only rider in the top 10 to significantly beat his projected time on a day where most found the course tougher than expected.

A Course with Character
The NY29 course is fast becoming a favourite among local riders, not just for its beauty but for its technical demands. Starting with the significant drag up through the limestone cottages of Gretton, riders then have to maintain focus through the high-speed sections passing under the Harringworth viaduct before the final push home.

With two wins from two events, Pardoe holds a maximum 200 points in the season-long competition, but with the road bike category booming and several new faces appearing on the podium, the 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.

Looking Ahead: The N3/10 Challenge
The series now shifts its focus to Saturday, May 16, for the third instalment of the N&DCA championship. Riders will move to the N3/10 course in Northamptonshire, a classic 10-mile "out and back" route known for its harder than it looks rolling profile.

Unlike the ascent through Gretton and technical descent, the N3/10 offers a more traditional test of sustained power, with approximately 112 meters of elevation gain. It is a course that rewards those who can maintain a high aerodynamic tuck across undulating terrain. With Paul Pardoe currently holding a perfect 200-point score, all eyes will be on whether the Peterborough CC man can make it a hat-trick of wins. More interestingly, will those who rode this event on road bikes come back and really make that the most open of the season long competitions?