Triumph and Tenacity in the Mountains: Harrogate Nova at the Vuelta a Cantabria
Our Harrogate Nova Race Team closed out their penultimate European race of the season in style at the Vuelta a Cantabria UCI 2.1 MJ.
Set in the stunning mountains of northern Spain, the three-day race tested every aspect of our riders’ abilities, climbing legs, and sheer resilience.
Building the Team Spirit
The full Nova race team of Dexter Townsend, Harry Hudson, Magnus Denwood, Isaac Oliver, and Oscar Saxton arrived in Cantabria with bikes, kit, and even a rice cooker packed into the team car. Helpers Mike Cross (DS), Phil Oliver, Eloisa Townsend, and Mark Saxton provided crucial support throughout the weekend, ensuring logistics ran as smoothly as possible.
A last-minute crash had left Dexter scrambling for parts, but a heroic bike shop turnaround kept him in the game. Spirits were high at team presentation night, with Nova lining up alongside National Teams from Greece, Turkey, and Israel.
Stage 1: Vioño - 118km | Friday 6 September
The opening stage was brutal, with four categorised climbs and a savage 20% gravel kicker in the finale.
Harry bridged into the day’s breakaway, joined by Matty Peace, and despite two crashes, including one on the final corner, Harry dug deep to take an extraordinary stage win. Isaac Oliver impressed with 9th, while Dexter Townsend fought hard for 13th. Magnus and Oscar rode smartly to finish safely in the peloton.
Stage 1 Results: Harry Hudson (Winner), 9th Isaac, 13th Dexter
Stage 2: Saron - 115km | Saturday 7 September
Stage 2 was chaos from the gun. A 35-man move went clear, scattering Nova riders across chase groups. Oscar battled through a Di2 fault but recovered. Harry, still carrying the scars of Stage 1, eventually had to sit up after heroic solo efforts. Dexter showed his class, attacking on the run-in and finishing 7th, moving into 4th on GC.
Stage 3: Santander Uphill TT - 800m | Sunday 8 September
The final showdown was short but savage with a wall-like 800m time trial through the streets of Santander.
Isaac Oliver posted the early benchmark and finished 6th. Harry Hudson, battered but determined, stormed to 2nd place. Dexter Townsend delivered once more, securing 4th overall on GC.
With all five Nova riders completing the tour, the team finished 4th in the overall team standings, which is a rare achievement in such a demanding race.
Teamwork was at the core of our success, with everything from ferry crossings to feed-zone bottle hand-offs made possible by every helper playing their part.
Resilience was also the theme of the weekend with Harry’s crashes and comeback, Dexter’s consistency, and Magnus and Oscar’s selfless riding.
