Alex Murphy claims victory at 2026 Portsdown Classic

The Portsdown Classic, the first domestic road racing event of the year, saw Murphy deliver a commanding performance throughout the race. His efforts earned him a place at the top of an all under-23 podium, underlining his status as one of the most promising young riders in the field.

Murphy is a member of Southampton Solent University’s Sport Excellence Programme, which supports talented student athletes in balancing academic and sporting commitments. In addition to his success on the road, he has recently been awarded funding through the government’s Turing Programme, further recognising his potential and commitment to development both on and off the bike.

Speaking after the race, Murphy said:

“I’m really proud to start the season with a win, especially at such a competitive event. The Portsdown Classic is always a tough race, so to come away with the victory and share the podium with other strong under-23 riders is a great feeling.

“The support I receive from Solent’s Sport Excellence Programme has made a huge difference to my preparation — having access to expert gym coaching and sport science support gives me real confidence going into races. I’m excited to build on this result as the season progresses.”

Southampton Solent University’s Sport Excellence Programme provides student athletes with expert practitioner guidance, dual-career support and access to a high-performance sporting environment.

The University offers three tiers of financial bursary for programme members, ranging from £1,000 to £5,000, alongside access to state-of-the-art sporting facilities. Selected athletes also benefit from comprehensive support services including dual-career support, strength and conditioning, sports therapy, psychology, nutrition and sport science testing.

Murphy’s victory at the Portsdown Classic highlights both his individual talent and the strength of the support network available to athletes at Solent, as he looks ahead to the remainder of the racing season.