Harrogate Nova’s Youth Race Team continue to deliver wins and podium finishes across the United Kingdom

The team began the 2026 season with a series of fine showings in Wales, Scotland and then the Isle of Man on the National Youth Circuit Series.

And the stage and overall wins, plus podium finishes that were secured at those three events have kept on coming in recent weeks.

In late June, the Nova youngsters took part in the Youth Tour of Kent, where each of their team members rode strongly.

Leading the way were Bobby Whatmuff (Under-12s) and Dan Shipton (Under-16s), who each powered to a stage win and a second-placed finish in their respective age-group categories.

Erin Denwood (Under-14 girls) and Jake Thornton (Under-14s) also fared well, securing top-10 finishes.

There was very little time for the team to rest, as the next weekend saw them competing in the National Youth Championships on the punishing Oliver’s Mount circuit in Scarborough.

Whatmuff and Thornton got Nova off to a great start, with both riders placing fifth in their respective Under-12s and Under-14s categories.

Attention then turned to the Under-16s events, where the Harrogate club had no fewer than six competitors vying for honours.

In the end, sickness, mechanical problems and the heat impacted on the Nova riders, but despite this Josh Stewart did manage to deliver a storming ride to grab 12th spot, two places behind Shipton in 10th.

Attentions then turned to the Otley and Ilkley Criterium evening races, which saw some of the best youth riders from across the UK going head-to-head during 30 minutes of intense racing.

At Otley, the Nova contingent took control of the race early on. Shipton wasted little time in making his move and quickly established a three-man break.

His team-mates controlled the peloton, with Reuben Hart an imperious presence near the front of the bunch, helping the Shipton breakaway group establish a 30-second lead.

At the death, Shipton was however pipped to the post in the sprint, while Thornton came in third in the Under-14s category.

Two days later, Shipton was not to be denied at the Ilkley Criterium, racing clear and distancing himself from the entire field as he sped to a solo success in the Under-16s race.

Meanwhile, Thornton also produced another fine performance, taking runners-up spot in the Under-14s.