Mitchell and Clayton Take Victory at Inaugural Dalby Grit

Forget Glastonbury, the real action was on the gravel trails of North York Moors National Park last weekend

The inaugural Dalby Grit took place last weekend, drawing hundreds of passionate cyclists to the stunning North York Moors National Park for an unforgettable day of racing over 110 kilometers of the finest gravel terrain England has to offer. The event showcased not only the spirit of competition but also the camaraderie and thrill of gravel riding.

Damien Clayton claimed victory in the men’s elite race with an impressive time of 3:19:01, finishing a remarkable ten minutes ahead of his closest rival, Joel Hurt, who crossed the line in second. Sam Stephenson from Hope Factory Racing secured third place, rounding out a fiercely competitive podium.

In the women’s elite race, Amelia Mitchell emerged as the champion, clocking in at 3:45:45. She held off a strong challenge from professional triathlete Kat Matthews, who finished in second place, while Amy Henchoz from Torq Performance took third.

Mitchell and Clayton Take Victory at Inaugural Dalby Grit

The open men's race saw Andrew Hastings take the top spot with a time of 3:32:41, followed by David Bone from RC Ravenna in second and Jonathan Pugh in third. In the women’s open race, Louise Hart from FTP - Fulfil The Potential Racing Team led the pack with a finish time of 4:01:03, ahead of Helen Jackson and Claire Jones, who took second and third respectively.

“We were thrilled to see such a fantastic turnout for our first Dalby Grit event,” said Bryan Singleton, Founder and Co-Director at Focal Events. “The riders truly embraced the spirit of gravel racing, and the stunning backdrop of the North York Moors made it an unforgettable experience. Congratulations to all our winners and participants!”

Focal Events extends heartfelt gratitude to its event partners, whose support helped make the day truly special. These include fi'zi:k, Maxxis, Wahoo, Chamois Butt'r, Enduro Bearings, Orange Seal, Ride with GPS, TORQ Performance Nutrition, and the North York Moors National Park.

For those who missed out, the next event in the Focal Events series is Gravel Rocks, scheduled for July 11th, 2025. This long weekend celebration promises to blend the excitement of gravel racing with the vibrancy of a festival atmosphere, making it a must-attend for cycling enthusiasts.