Top Results for Nova at Fenwicks Tour of the Mendips

The Harrogate Nova Junior Team put in a brilliant performance at this year’s Fenwicks Tour of the Mendips, a notoriously tough three-day event that combined high temperatures with some of the steepest climbs on the Junior calendar.

Despite lining up with a smaller squad, Isaac Oliver, Dexter Townsend, and Daniel Thompson delivered outstanding rides across all stages, showing resilience, tactical awareness, and real firepower.

Stage One: Time Trial

The race opened with a solo effort against the clock, and Nova’s riders came out swinging:

• Dexter: 4th

• Isaac: 8th

• Daniel: 16th

A strong start and the perfect platform heading into the road stages.

Stage Two: The Sprint

Day two was billed as a sprinters’ stage, but racing rarely sticks to the script. A two-rider breakaway stayed clear for 1st and 2nd, leaving the bunch to battle for the remaining top positions. Nova’s trio held their nerve, all finishing comfortably in the chase group.

Stage Three: The Climb

If there was one word echoing around HQ before the final stage, it was “steep.” With a brutal climb of over 10% repeated five times, the peloton was quickly whittled down.

Isaac made the early breakaway and held strong all the way to the line, securing an impressive 4th place. Dexter showed great racecraft, bridging across with fellow GC contender Leon to take 5th place.

Final GC Standings

• Dexter Townsend: 2nd Overall (up from 4th after the TT)

• Isaac Oliver: 4th Overall (moving up from 10th after day one)

• Daniel Thompson: strong and consistent rides across all three stages

This consistency was the story of the weekend, proving that even with a smaller team, Nova can mix it with the very best juniors in the country.

A huge congratulations to Isaac, Dexter, and Daniel for their efforts, and a big thank you to our team sponsors for making these moments possible.