2026 North Yorkshire Grand Prix, Season Finale
One small step for Armstrong, One Giant Leap for Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli.
Tom Armstrong completed a historic season for Wheelbase CabTech Castelli at the final round of the National Road Series in Ampleforth, North Yorkshire, claiming the overall title after a campaign characterised by outstanding consistency, race craft and determination.
Armstrong’s season-long success will not come as a surprise to those who have followed his career closely. The talent and potential have always been evident; this year, everything finally came together. The result capped a remarkable day for the squad. Armstrong not only secured the National Road Series crown but also overturned a 13-point deficit to win the season-long Rapha Super League competition. Team-mate Tom Martin finished second overall in the National Road Series standings, while Wheelbase CabTech Castelli’s strength in depth was further underlined by victory in the Overall Team Classification, completing arguably the most successful season in the team’s long racing history.
How the Race Unfolded
Armstrong knew attack would be the best form of defence when protecting his series lead and the moment a powerful early move containing many of the day’s key contenders formed Armstrong and teammate Tom Martin both made sure they were in the decisive selection. As the race unfolded across the undulating roads around Ampleforth, the Wheelbase CabTech Castelli pair remained at the sharp end while the chasing groups behind struggled to organise an effective response.
The front group repeatedly fragmented and reformed as attack followed attack. Riders came and went, gaps opened and closed, and with every lap the pressure increased. Throughout the chaos Armstrong stayed exactly where he needed to be, attentive to every dangerous move and never far from the front of the action. By the closing stages only the strongest remained and the select group entered the final lap knowing both the race victory and several season-long competitions would be decided within the next few kilometres.
On the final rise to the finish line TREK Future Racing rider Sebastian Grindley powered clear from the remaining escapees for an impressive solo victory; attentive until the last pedal stroke Armstrong remained locked in a battle for every point. Crossing the line in fourth place, five seconds behind the podium finishers, securing the result that mattered most. The 18 points Tom gained would prove decisive as Armstrong not only took the National Road Series but also claimed the season-long Rapha Super League title by just five points over Ollie Wood who finished outside the points after a difficult afternoon.
‘Big Tom’ Martin and ‘Little Tom’ Armstrong have been perfect teammates over the 2026 season, with the friends working together brilliantly in multiple breakaways including the tactical masterpiece which led to Armstrong’s win at the Lancaster GP earlier in the season. It was great to see Tom Martin’s outstanding consistency throughout the year rewarded with second place overall in the National Road Series standings, giving the team the top two positions.
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli also secured the overall team classification, underlining the collective strength that has been evident throughout the season and rewarding decades of commitment from the riders, staff and sponsors. As the team’s title sponsor, Wheelbase has invested heavily in the UK road racing for many years, helping to sustain what is recognised as the longest continuously sponsored road racing team in the United Kingdom. In an era when teams often come and go, the continued presence of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli is a testament to loyalty, camaraderie and a genuine commitment to supporting the racing community.
We would like to extend a huge thanks to Team Manager Stu Reid, Race Mechanic Tyla Loftus and the network of volunteers, supporters, friends and family members whose contribution is rarely recognised. They’ve organised logistics, washed kit, fed riders, maintained equipment, travelled thousands of miles and dedicated countless hours for the love of the Wheelbase team. The 2026 road race season belongs to them every bit as much as it belongs to the riders standing on the podium.
For Tom Armstrong, his National Road Series win was another significant milestone in an already impressive career. For Wheelbase CabTech Castelli, it represented the culmination of years of commitment, investment and belief. One small step for Armstrong, One Giant Leap for Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli.
Photos by James York
Tom photographed with Stu Reid. Photo by SW Pix