VAN ZANDEN SPOILS ARMSTRONG’S PARTY IN OAKHAM THRILLER, 2026 Rutland CiCLE Classic.

VAN ZANDEN SPOILS ARMSTRONG’S PARTY IN OAKHAM THRILLER

In a dramatic finale that saw victory snatched away in the final 50 metres, Dutchman Otto Van Zanden (Azerion Villa Valkenburg) secured the first road race win of his career at the 2026 Rutland CiCLE Classic.

The opening round of the Rapha Super-League lived up to its reputation as "Britain's Belgian Classic," delivering a grueling five-hour test over the dusty farm tracks of Rutland and Leicestershire. Van Zanden triumphed from a three-man breakaway, narrowly beating Tom Armstrong (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) by half a wheel in a sprint on the Oakham finish line.

The race rolled out of Oakham High Street under dry conditions that quickly turned the course into a dust-bowl. The early stages were marred by a significant incident behind the leaders, with approximately 80 riders reportedly caught up in a major crash, forcing a temporary neutralisation of the race.

Once the action resumed, Van Zanden’s Azerion Villa Valkenburg squad asserted their dominance. The Dutch outfit controlled the front through the Stuart Shaw laps, with Van Zanden showing his strength early by sweeping both contested King of the Windmill sprints.

The race splintered for good with 65 kilometres remaining. Van Zanden and Magnus Lorents Nielsen (Atom 6) forced a gap, followed shortly by a solo bridge from Tom Armstrong. By the time the trio hit the final 15-kilometre circuit in Oakham, they held a commanding lead of over two minutes.

Inside the final kilometre, the cat-and-mouse games began:

Van Zanden led the group out, refusing to give up the front.

Nielsen was the first to jump, but was quickly covered.

Armstrong launched his move with 50 metres to go, appearing to have the win in the bag.

However, in a stunning display of late-race endurance, Van Zanden clawed his way back to Armstrong’s shoulder and surged ahead in the final bike-length.

Local Results and Standings

Behind the lead trio, Oliver Dawson (JAKROO Handsling) claimed a career-best fourth place by winning the bunch sprint, followed closely by Sam Walsham of BC East Midlands.

Top 5 Results

Pos	Rider	Team	Time
1st	Otto Van Zanden	Azerion Villa Valkenburg	05:06:03
2nd	Thomas Armstrong	Wheelbase CabTech Castelli	s.t.
3rd	Magnus Lorents Nielsen	Atom 6 - Cycleur de Luxe	s.t.
4th	Oliver Dawson	JAKROO Handsling Racing	+1′19″
5th	Sam Walsham	BC East Midlands	s.t.

While Van Zanden takes the early lead in the Rapha Super-League, Armstrong is effectively the "man to beat" for the overall title, as Azerion Villa Valkenburg are not scheduled to compete in the remaining rounds. The series moves next to the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix on May 10.

Rutland International CiCLE Classic Events Oakham Rutland 2026 Photos

Rutland International CiCLE Classic Event Oakham Rutland 2026 Photos

The race was started by The Lord Lieutenant of Rutland Sarah Furness, Rutland County Councils Leader Christine Wise, Rutland and Stamford MP Alicia Kearns and Oakham's Town Crier at 11am.

The race is due to finish back here in Oakham at 3.15pm +

Town Crier Speaking to Rob Persani 

Rutland and Stamford Sound

For More News, Jobs, What's On, Discover Oakham and More Visit: https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/