2025 Totnes Vire – Race Report

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Report

Stage 1 | Colin Lewis Velopark Criterium

Stage 1 of the 2025 Totnes Vire provided a fiercely contested opening act, marked by aggressive racing and tactical intrigue. The circuit, unusually raced in reverse direction this year at Torbay, featured a headwind finish that contributed to heightened tension in the peloton from the off.

Early attacks set the tone, with Thomas Doig (Primera-TeamJobs), Cameron McLaren (TAAP Kalas), and Pedro Hutchinson (trainSharp Development Team) quickly forging clear. The trio swiftly established a twenty-second gap, holding it for around half an hour before the bunch drew nearer. Hutchinson, sensing the break would be caught, drifted back, leaving Doig and McLaren out front. Undeterred, they pressed on, re-establishing their advantage.

With the front pair resolute, a dynamic counterattack formed behind, featuring Travis Bramley (Plymouth Corinthian CC), Harvey Lawson (TAAP Kalas), Spencer Corder (Beeston CC), and Ben Goodwin (Stolen Goat Race Team). George Kimber (Spirit Racing Team) bridged decisively across. Despite initial doubts that a move involving Kimber could succeed, given his marked presence in the peloton, the five joined McLaren and Doig to make it seven up front.

George Kimber. Image: PelotonPix / Dave Dodge Photography

This newly formed septet worked efficiently, maintaining a slender lead despite concerted chasing, notably from Primera-TeamJobs, who were focused on chasing Kimber, Doig enjoying a free ride at the back of the break.

In the finale, Lawson produced an outstanding late turn, setting the scene for a nail-biting sprint finish. Doig led it out, opting for the front position into the headwind, a decision that saw Kimber and McLaren surge past within the final metres. A tight photo finish ensued, ultimately awarding victory to McLaren, just ahead of Kimber and Doig.

Stephen Swindley (Royal Navy Cycling) managed a late effort from the bunch to secure eighth, while Thomas Bowden (Reflex Nopinz) and Piers Mahn (Halesowen A & CC) rounded out the top ten.

Image: PelotonPix / Dave Dodge Photography

Stage 2 | Ken’s Oddicombe Hill Climb

Stage 2 of the 2025 Totnes Vire revived a challenging hill climb stage from the race’s history, taking riders from picturesque Oddicombe Beach up the lung-bursting, double-digit gradient ascent to Babbacombe Downs Road. This short, sharp test provided a decisive shake-up to the General Classification (GC) established after the morning’s stage.

After a tight sprint finish on Stage 1 saw Cameron McLaren (TAAP Kalas) in yellow, all eyes turned to the steep slopes of Stage 2, where raw climbing power would redefine the standings. Riders tackled the climb individually at one-minute intervals, offering a spectacle beside the iconic cliff railway as the Torbay coastline provided a dramatic backdrop.

George Kimber (Spirit Racing Team), who had narrowly missed out in the Stage 1 sprint, seized the moment to showcase his climbing prowess. Kimber stormed up the climb in an impressive 1 minute and 56 seconds—the only rider to break the two-minute barrier—vaulting himself into the overall lead with a cumulative GC time of 1:28:37.

Cam McLaren. Image: PelotonPix / Dave Dodge Photography

Stage 1 winner McLaren found the steep gradients challenging, posting a time of 2:12 but maintaining second overall, now 11 seconds behind Kimber. Reflex Nopinz riders Samuel Nisbet and Ben Millar excelled, moving into third and fourth overall, with climb times of 2:00 and 2:01, respectively. Last year’s winner, Gabriel Dellar (Primera-TeamJobs), delivered a strong climb, moving into fifth on GC, just 27 seconds behind Kimber.

Notably, Jed Claxton (Wheal Velocity), a junior rider, punched above his category to record a joint ninth-fastest ascent alongside McLaren, marking himself out as one to watch.

Stage 3

The final stage of the 2025 Totnes Vire delivered precisely the kind of unpredictable and gripping racing that makes Devon roads legendary. With narrow lanes, relentlessly rolling terrain, and multiple opportunities to reshuffle the general classification, the stage set a perfect scene for high drama and tactical ingenuity. Heading into the day, George Kimber (Spirit Racing Team) held a slender lead, with several rivals close behind and ready to capitalise on any slip.

Image: Chris Godfrey

Rolling out from Hatherleigh, the peloton faced a challenging 109 km route, structured around two demanding large circuits followed by two shorter finishing loops. Initially, all eyes were firmly on Kimber, the overnight leader. Early attacks were quickly marked and neutralised, with Kimber and Cameron McLaren (TAAP Kalas), second overall, actively policing the moves.

The race took a critical turn when Piers Mahn (Halesowen A & CC) launched a sharp attack on one of the early climbs, swiftly gaining a gap. Sensing the opportunity, Luke Barfoot (Primera-TeamJobs), Ben Meek (Reflex Nopinz), and local rider James Piercy (Mid Devon CC) quickly bridged across. The four riders forged an effective alliance, rapidly pushing their advantage out to around a minute. As the breakaway settled into its rhythm, the chasing groups struggled to coordinate an effective response.

Image: Chris Godfrey

Disaster struck for GC leader Kimber midway through the race when he suffered an ill-timed puncture. With no neutral service available, Kimber’s challenge for the overall evaporated, and the peloton splintered in confusion behind, giving the escapees valuable breathing room.

Eventually, the relentless pace saw Piercy drop off, leaving Mahn, Barfoot, and Meek to press on. Realising they were now racing for overall honours, the trio maintained their advantage expertly, despite sporadic attempts from behind to bridge the gap. Approaching the final kilometres, the tension mounted.

With approximately 6 kilometres to go, Barfoot made his decisive move, launching a powerful attack that initially distanced Mahn and Meek. However, Mahn summoned impressive resilience to bridge back up to Barfoot, setting the stage for a tense two-man duel to the finish. In the closing moments, Barfoot unleashed a final surge on the last roundabout, about 600 metres from the line, holding off Mahn to secure the stage victory and claim the overall GC win. Mahn crossed the line moments later, satisfied with his weekend’s racing.

Results

Stage 1

PosBibFirst NameLast NameTeamTimeBonus
134CameronMcLarenTAAP Kalas01:26:5100:00:15
232GeorgeKimberSpirit Racing Team01:26:5100:00:10
337ThomasDoigPrimera-TeamJobs01:26:5100:00:05
417TravisBramleyPlymouth Corinthian CC01:26:51
52SpencerCorderBeeston Cycling Club01:26:51
621BenGoodwinStolen Goat Race Team01:26:51
722HarveyLawsonTAAP Kalas01:26:51
812StephenSwindleyRoyal Navy Cycling01:26:54
919ThomasBowdenReflex Nopinz01:27:01
105PiersMahnHalesowen A & CC01:27:01
1140SamuelNisbetReflex Nopinz01:27:01
1235PedroHutchinsontrainSharp Development Team01:27:01
131GeorgeSafranauskas360cycling01:27:01
1431BenMeekReflex Nopinz01:27:01
1538BenMillarReflex Nopinz01:27:01
1633AlexMurphyStolen Goat Race Team01:27:01
1742ThomasGardnerUniversity of Exeter Cycling Club01:27:01
183ElijahKwonEdinburgh Bike Fitting RT01:27:01
1941SteveLampierPrimera-TeamJobs01:27:01
2039DanielPiercyStolen Goat Race Team01:27:01
2130GabrielDellarPrimera-TeamJobs01:27:01
229SamBeatonPlymouth Corinthian CC01:27:05
2318MattyBeecherPrimera-TeamJobs01:27:10
2448HarveyThomasReflex Nopinz01:27:11
2510LukeBarfootPrimera-TeamJobs01:27:11
2646GeorgeWatchTeam PB Performance01:27:11
278HenryCadwalladerMid Devon CC01:27:11
2843SebastienTyriePrimera-TeamJobs01:27:43
2916EdwardFraile-WhysallMid Devon CC01:28:01
294AndrewWhittemoreExeter Wheelers01:28:51
3014BenFishTAAP Kalas01:28:51
3113JackBartholomewStolen Goat Race Team01:32:51
3211EdAyresReflex Nopinz01:32:51
3336JamesPearcyMid Devon CC01:32:51
3420DexterMansel-ThomasSchils – Doltcini Racing Team01:32:51
357GeorgeWhitlockMud Dock Racing01:32:51
3649BenjaminNealTeam Tor 2000 Kalas01:32:51
376NickMakinHubo-Scott Cycling Team01:34:51
3845JoshuaSnowMid Devon CC01:34:51
3947JedClaxtonWheal Velocity01:36:51
DNF29RobertHodgeMid Devon CCDNF
DNS15JamesWilliamsReflex NopinzDNS
DNS44JoeReevesReflex NopinzDNS
DNS28AshleyToweyTeam Tor 2000 KalasDNS

Stage 2

PosBibFirst NameLast NameTeamTime
132GeorgeKimberSpirit Racing Team00:01:56
240SamuelNisbetReflex Nopinz00:02:00
338BenMillarReflex Nopinz00:02:01
430GabrielDellarPrimera-TeamJobs00:02:03
51GeorgeSafranauskas360cycling00:02:04
639DanielPiercyStolen Goat Race Team00:02:06
733AlexMurphyStolen Goat Race Team00:02:09
842ThomasGardnerUniversity of Exeter Cycling Club00:02:11
934CameronMcLarenTAAP Kalas00:02:12
1047JedClaxtonWheal Velocity00:02:12
1148HarveyThomasReflex Nopinz00:02:12
1211EdAyresReflex Nopinz00:02:13
1349BenjaminNealTeam Tor 2000 Kalas00:02:13
1422HarveyLawsonTAAP Kalas00:02:14
158HenryCadwalladerMid Devon CC00:02:16
169SamBeatonPlymouth Corinthian CC00:02:16
1712StephenSwindleyRoyal Navy Cycling00:02:16
1831BenMeekReflex Nopinz00:02:17
197GeorgeWhitlockMud Dock Racing00:02:18
2010LukeBarfootPrimera-TeamJobs00:02:19
2114BenFishTAAP Kalas00:02:19
2235PedroHutchinsontrainSharp Development Team00:02:19
2317TravisBramleyPlymouth Corinthian CC00:02:20
2416EdwardFraile-WhysallMid Devon CC00:02:21
2546GeorgeWatchTeam PB Performance00:02:21
2618MattyBeecherPrimera-TeamJobs00:02:22
275PiersMahnHalesowen A & CC00:02:23
282SpencerCorderBeeston Cycling Club00:02:24
2943SebastienTyriePrimera-TeamJobs00:02:25
3037ThomasDoigPrimera-TeamJobs00:02:26
3141SteveLampierPrimera-TeamJobs00:02:27
3213JackBartholomewStolen Goat Race Team00:02:28
3336JamesPearcyMid Devon CC00:02:28
343ElijahKwonEdinburgh Bike Fitting RT00:02:30
3521BenGoodwinStolen Goat Race Team00:02:32
3619ThomasBowdenReflex Nopinz00:02:33
374AndrewWhittemoreExeter Wheelers00:02:36
3845JoshuaSnowMid Devon CC00:02:39
396NickMakinHubo-Scott Cycling Team00:03:03

Stage 3

PosBibFirst NameLast NameTeamStage 3 TimeBonus
110LukeBarfootPrimera-TeamJobs02:37:3400:00:15
25PiersMahnHalesowen A & CC02:37:4100:00:10
331BenMeekReflex Nopinz02:38:2400:00:05
442ThomasGardnerUniversity of Exeter Cycling Club02:39:09
540SamuelNisbetReflex Nopinz02:39:25
630GabrielDellarPrimera-TeamJobs02:39:59
738BenMillarReflex Nopinz02:39:59
833AlexMurphyStolen Goat Race Team02:40:00
913JackBartholomewStolen Goat Race Team02:40:46
1034CameronMcLarenTAAP Kalas02:40:46
114AndrewWhittemoreExeter Wheelers02:42:15
1221BenGoodwinStolen Goat Race Team02:43:09
1312StephenSwindleyRoyal Navy Cycling02:43:41
1443SebastienTyriePrimera-TeamJobs02:43:44
153ElijahKwonEdinburgh Bike Fitting RT02:43:49
1619ThomasBowdenReflex Nopinz02:43:49
1718MattyBeecherPrimera-TeamJobs02:43:49
1817TravisBramleyPlymouth Corinthian CC02:43:49
199SamBeatonPlymouth Corinthian CC02:43:49
2039DanielPiercyStolen Goat Race Team02:43:49
212SpencerCorderBeeston Cycling Club02:43:49
227GeorgeWhitlockMud Dock Racing02:43:49
2348HarveyThomasReflex Nopinz02:43:49
2437ThomasDoigPrimera-TeamJobs02:43:49
2522HarveyLawsonTAAP Kalas02:43:49
268HenryCadwalladerMid Devon CC02:43:49
2746GeorgeWatchTeam PB Performance02:43:49
2811EdAyresReflex Nopinz02:43:49
2914BenFishTAAP Kalas02:43:49
3036JamesPearcyMid Devon CC02:44:19
3141SteveLampierPrimera-TeamJobs02:44:19
3235PedroHutchinsontrainSharp Development Team02:44:19
DND47JedClaxtonWheal VelocityDND
DNF1GeorgeSafranauskas360cyclingDNF
DNF6NickMakinHubo-Scott Cycling TeamDNF
DNF32GeorgeKimberSpirit Racing TeamDNF
DNF16EdwardFraile-WhysallMid Devon CCDNF
DNF49BenjaminNealTeam Tor 2000 KalasDNF

General classification

PosBibFirst NameLast NameTeamGC Time
110LukeBarfootPrimera-TeamJobs04:06:49
25PiersMahnHalesowen A & CC04:06:55
331BenMeekReflex Nopinz04:07:37
442ThomasGardnerUniversity of Exeter Cycling Club04:08:21
540SamuelNisbetReflex Nopinz04:08:26
638BenMillarReflex Nopinz04:09:01
730GabrielDellarPrimera-TeamJobs04:09:03
833AlexMurphyStolen Goat Race Team04:09:10
934CameronMcLarenTAAP Kalas04:09:34
1021BenGoodwinStolen Goat Race Team04:12:32
1112StephenSwindleyRoyal Navy Cycling04:12:51
1222HarveyLawsonTAAP Kalas04:12:54
1339DanielPiercyStolen Goat Race Team04:12:56
1417TravisBramleyPlymouth Corinthian CC04:13:00
1537ThomasDoigPrimera-TeamJobs04:13:01
162SpencerCorderBeeston Cycling Club04:13:04
179SamBeatonPlymouth Corinthian CC04:13:10
1848HarveyThomasReflex Nopinz04:13:12
198HenryCadwalladerMid Devon CC04:13:16
203ElijahKwonEdinburgh Bike Fitting RT04:13:20
2118MattyBeecherPrimera-TeamJobs04:13:21
2246GeorgeWatchTeam PB Performance04:13:21
2319ThomasBowdenReflex Nopinz04:13:23
2435PedroHutchinsontrainSharp Development Team04:13:39
254AndrewWhittemoreExeter Wheelers04:13:42
2641SteveLampierPrimera-TeamJobs04:13:47
2743SebastienTyriePrimera-TeamJobs04:13:52
2814BenFishTAAP Kalas04:14:59
2913JackBartholomewStolen Goat Race Team04:16:05
3011EdAyresReflex Nopinz04:18:53
317GeorgeWhitlockMud Dock Racing04:18:58
3236JamesPearcyMid Devon CC04:19:38