The former UCI WorldTour pro, who is coming back from a serious leg break last September, won the National B open 2/3 shootout ahead of Danylo Riwnyj (Foran CT) and Matthew Gilmour (Nopinz CT).
Emma Leslie of FTP-Fulfil the Potential Racing also went alone to win in the women’s 2/3, just 12 days after signing for her new team.
The former University of Bath rider crossed the line two minutes ahead of teammate Phoebe Roche before Karolina Zydelyte (Dulwich Paragon) rounded off the podium.
There were also some great results for London Dynamo as this year’s race featured six laps of a rolling 21km loop on Sussex lanes, taking the peloton through Balcombe, Cuckfield, and Handcross.
The warm and dry conditions made it the perfect day for some great racing and that proved to be the case.
Open Race
The open race featured a move of ten riders go up the road when Riwnyj attacked on a climb. Rootkin-Gray (Le Col Racing Team) went with him before deciding to reshape the leading group.
It was whittled down again to just Rootkin-Gray, Riwnyj, Gilmour, Nathan Levitt (Foran CT) and Oliver Mangham (DAS-Richardsons) with two laps to go.
The decisive move arrived when Riwnyj attacked in the latter sections of the final lap, prompting Rootkin-Gay to respond.
Five quickly became two before Rootkin-Gray decided to go alone for the win.
Speaking to the British Continental after the race, he said: “I’m mainly just trying to come back, to build my confidence again. Obviously with that comes not only a lack of fitness, which is fairly easy to regain, but mostly it’s in your head. Regaining that confidence – both riding in a group and in your ability to win.”
Rootkin-Gray rode for EF Education-EasyPost prior to his injury and has since featured as a guest rider for the Jakroo Handsling squad at Paris-Troyes.
The 23-year-old has claimed some strong performances this season, including victory at the Timmy James Memorial Grand Prix on 3 May before following that up with second at the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix just a week later.
He added: “I’m aiming to get back to where I was at WorldTour. That’s just another step. From the National Bs, National As to UCI, [they] all have different tests.”
Conor Williams took ninth for London Dynamo, while Tim Lynch crossed the line in 13th as George Baritsch got around well.
Women’s Race
Half a dozen riders broke away in the opening lap to set the scene of what was to come. The group worked together before thinning out on the climbs to the finish.
Summarising the race, Leslie told the British Continental: “Six of us were working together through the trees. The group thinned again on the climb to the finish line.
“Three of us got away at the top of the climb. We worked together for a little bit, and then I pulled away over one of the descents.”
Charissa Turner and Anna Wignall of London Dynamo both came away with a handful of points, finishing 12th and 14th respectively.
