National Circuit Series Round 4
Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli’s 2025 National Circuit Series defending champion Tom Armstrong got the monkey off his back at the Guildford Open Grand Prix, by winning the sprint from a breakaway group of four riders.
Tom doesn’t like to stand out in a crowd.
Last season Tom had secured the overall series win without taking victory in any individual round, in a show of consistency which reflected his years of experience of racing fast, technical crit circuits. This year he was keen to get a win under his belt and Guildford was the race he could finally put his hands up in the air.
Tom and Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli teammate Joe Griffiths.
Armstrong, who took fourth place at the same race last year found himself in the move of the night forming part of a small but collaborative break of four riders who took advantage of the short, technical nature of the course stay away from the chasing pack.
Tom’s superior bike handling skills paid back handsomely on such a technical course.
A fantastic bike handler, honed from his early years as a cyclocross racer, this technical circuit with multiple tight turns and short, sharp climbs was brilliantly suited to Armstrong. Those skills combined with his light frame and explosive riding style played to his advantage with Tom jumping away from his breakaway partners on the final climb, crossing the line clear of the others with enough time to celebrate.
Tom crossed the line with a victory celebration imitating getting the monkey off his back.
Tom Armstrong on the podium, celebrating his win.
Despite fielding a reduced team of three riders at Guildford the Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team came away with a strong hold on the overall team standings with Armstrong’s win along with Aaron King in 11th place and Joe Griffiths in 27th also giving them the team prize on the night.
The Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli continue to lead the team standings.
All race photos by Mark James