New signings for 2013

With the 2012 season coming to a close and our sights firmly set on the next road and track season, we have had the inevitable rider movements that always happens at this time of year.
Leaving us will be Jo Tindley, who has made a great impression this season and helping seal many team successes, off to join Matrix-Prendas.  Also leaving will be Bex Heath as her aspiring medical career takes her to Australia.  Hannah Layland is taking a break from the sport so will not be racing for the team next season.
Joining the team will be two young track and crit specialists in Hannah Manley and Jackie Garner.  Hannah joins us from For Viored, she is based in Bath for her first year at uni. Jackie returns to the racing scene having been out with illness.  We also welcome established road and cyclo-cross rider Nikola Butler, previously raced for Inverse.  Our last signing is a new talent in Jenny Hudson who is based at Bristol Uni in her 3rd year, next season will be her first and should prove to be a successful one.
These riders join our already established road and track teams within which we have a World Masters medallist in Adel Tyson-Bloor and returning Elite rider Marianne Britten to captain the team.

Original riders:
Marianne Britten
Adel Tyson-Bloor
Ellie Gilham
Eleanor Jones
Nicci Meadows
Caroline Harding
Vanessa Whitfield
Rusine Heald
Laura Clode

New signings:
Jenny Hudson
Hannah Manley
Jackie Garner
Nikola Butker

Team Training Weekend - 17/18th November 2012

The first of the winter training weekends got under way last weekend at Bristol, hosted by team captain Marianne Britten.

 

 



After recent bad weather the weekend was blessed with sunshine, especially on the sunday.  Covering 6 hours of hills over the two days was great in lovely weather.

Adel wins World Masters Bronze in Pursuit

Adel rode the World Masters Pursuit yesterday and narrowly misssed out on qualifying for the gold-silver ride off.  She beat her opponent in the Bronze medal ride off to claim the medal.  A gutsy ride for her first time at World level.

Adel Bronze in Pursuit

Team Pursuit gold and Team Sprint silver and bronze at Welsh open track champs

Well done to the girls racing at Newport this weekend, gold in the team pursuit and silver and bronze in the team sprints. 

Team Pursuit gold
 

The team pursuit consisted of Adel Tyson-Bloor, Caroline Harding and Eleanor Jones.  Their next event in the National Track champs at Manchester at the end of september.

Team sprint podium

The silver team sprint team consisted of Adel Tyson-Bloor and Jo Tindley.  They beat Eleanor Jones and Laura Clode into bronze by a mere 1000th of a second.  Their next outing again comes at the track nationals in Manchester next weekend, the teams will remain the same.  Good luck to all the girls!

Bex 2nd overall in National Womens Series

In just her first season of racing, Bex has managed an unbelievable 2nd place overall in the Womens National Road Race Series, beaten only by Paralympian Sarah Storey.  This is a massive achievement for Bex, especially as she is so new to the sport.  This was even more impressive as she didn't score in the first 2 rounds of the series due to punctures.


Bex on the attack at Essex Giro

Bex's result in the series include:
4th - Capernwray
5th - Curlew Cup
3rd - Blackpool Surf n Turf 2day
8th - Essex Giro 2day

 Jo finished just outside the top ten overall in the series, her best result being 4th in the Blackpool Surf n Turf 2day.

National Womens Road and Circuit Race Series final overall standings:

Pos   Rider                  Team                                Total Points
1.      Sarah Storey        For Viored RT                 268
2.      Rebecca Heath  VC St Raphael                165
3.      Tamina Oliver      Abergavenny RC            161
4.       Laura Massey     Abergavenny RC             132
5.       Molly Weaver     Scott Contessa Epic        105
6.       Penny Rowson    Matrix Fitness Prendas   104
7.       Lowri Bunn         Abergavenny RC            83
          Emily Kay           Scott Contessa Epic        83
9.       Lucy Garner        Node4 Giordana             79
          Nicola Juniper     Corvida Allpress Coffee 79
11.   Jo Tindley             VC St Raphael              77
36.   Adel Tyson-Bloor VC St Raphael              17
54.   Ellie Gilham          VC St Raphael              5 
70.   Vanessa WhitfieldVC St Raphael              1

For full report and results:
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roa20120812-road-Road--Storey-clinches-double-in-Essex-0

Jo promoted to 1st cat

Jo's win at Abergavenny this weekend is enough to secure her enough points to gain her 1st cat licence. This is an amazing achievement as she started the season as a 3rd cat. Well done Jo, keep up the good work.

Ellie crowned South Division Circuit Race Champion

 Ellie rode the South Division Circuit Race Championships at Castle Combe this weekend, under very challenging race conditions.  Ellie broke away from the rest of the girls on the final lap of the race, winning by a clear 50m.  Well done Ellie.

Ellie leading 2 other girls

Jo wins Abergavenny 2-day Womens Team Series

Abergavenny road club hosted the latest round of the Womens Team Series, ably assisted by Bex, Vanessa and Nicola Butler, guesting for us for this round.  The format of the stage race was a prologue individual time trial, followed by a circuit race on the saturday.  The final stage was a road stage on the sunday.  The stage race was run under a points scoring system like an omnium rather than overall times as is normally expected of stage races, which provided a twist to the racing.

The Team!! - (L to R) Nicola Butler, Vanessa Whitfield, Jo Tindley, Bex Heath

Jo started the event well posting a time that secured her 3rd place in the individual time trial and a solid start to the race.  Bex was unfortunate to puncture in this stage so was out of the running for the overall placing.  Team riding saw Jo consolidate her position overall by getting into a breakaway of 3 riders and securing a 2nd place in the circuit race.  This meant that Jo was in 2nd place overall over-night, going into the final road stage.
Vanessa also had a great ride coming in 9th in the ITT, 7th in the road stage and 13th overall.  An impressive set of results for the team.
The last stage saw some exceptional riding by the team, working on the front to chase any breaks going up the road.  This kept the bunch together and they were rewarded for all their hard work with Jo winning the bunch sprint and winning the stage race overall!  Excellent team-work again, and a well-deserved and long overdue win!  Well done girls.

Results:
Time trial:
1 Molly Weaver (Scott Contessa Epic) 15:22
2 Laura Massey (Abergavenny RC) 15:39
3 Jo Tindley (VC St Raphael) 15:49
4 Karla Boddy (High Wycombe CC) 15:51
5 Anna Grundy (Look Mum No Hands) 15:52
6 Suzanne Robinson (VC10) 1:58
7 Iona Sewell (GB Cycles.co.uk) 16:00
8 Anna Christian (Scott Contessa Epic) 16:10
9 Vanessa Whitfield (VC St Raphael) 16:11
10 Rebecca Hunt (Scott Contessa Epic) 16:17
Criterium:
1 Karla Boddy
2 Jo Tindley (VC St Raphael)
3 Molly Weaver
4 Siobhan McNamara (Look Mum No Hands)
5 Rebecca Heath (VC St Raphael)
6 Laura Massey
7 Anna Christian
8 Stephanie Magi (GB Cycles.co.uk)
9 Mary Evans (High Wycombe CC)
10 Elinor Winter (Abergavenny RC)
Road race:
1 Jo Tindley  (VC St Raphael)
2 Laura Massey
3 Siobhan McNamara
4 Karla Boddy
5 Gillian Taylor (Strada Cycles)
6 Joanne McRae (Look Mum No Hands)
7 Vanesa Whitfield (VC St Raphael)
8 Molly Weaver
9 Emma Craddock (Surrey League)
10 Elinor Winter
Overall:
1 Jo Tindley  (VC St Raphael) 6 points
2 Karla Boddy 9
3 Laura Massey 10
4 Molly Weaver 12
5 Siobhan McNamara 18
eq 6 Anna Christian, Elinor Winter 37
eq 8 Nicola Soden (Champion System/Maxgear), Gillian Taylor 39
eq 10 Stephanie Magri, Emma Craddock 40


Full report:
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roa20120806-road-Road--Tindley-on-top-in-Powys-Stage-Race-0

Ellie wins Raymond Brown Track League B



Ellie in action at Bournemouth track

Ellie wrapped up the Raymond Brown Track B League, held at Bournemouth track, in the final session last night.  Ellie was lying in 3rd place overall coming into the final round and then clinched victory in the last event, nail-biting stuff!  Brilliant riding by Ellie, who is up against men in this league, very impressive riding, well done Ellie!

Jo wins National Womens Grass Track 800m

Jo raced at Heckington show, which hosted the womens National Grass Track 800m Championships, plus other womens only races.  In the National 800m, 2 and a bit laps with a block head wind on the back straight and a fast tail wind finish, Jo rode a tactically astute race from the front.  Keeping the pace steady and policing everyone, she managed to keep former champion Sara Boyd (ne Wheelan) on the hip.  In the final straight she jumped as hard as she could to take the championship with Melissa Bury taking 2nd and Sara Boyd slipping back to 4th.


The Podium



Jo also won the womens Mile.  This was 5 laps of the circuit and with no-one wanting to take up the pace setting with the heavy going into the headwind, Jo attacked with a lap and a half to go and won by a clear straight.

Well done Jo, a very deserving champion :)



Victory Lap



Blog on Reading DernyFest - Eleanor Jones

At the end of the Dudley GP, Jace (super DS/mechanic/pit bitch) suggested I ride the Reading GP in preparation for the Derny Championships. Brilliant idea considering I have never raced behind a derny before!

SO Saturday saw me driving sedately (as if!) down to Reading, ready for a race or 2. Jace and Jamie were there competing in the National Endurance League, and I was joined by teammate Jo Tindley, making her comeback this season J We quickly claimed our spot, got the bikes and wheels ready and had a bit of a catch up chat.

There was a bit of a delay at the start – the organizers had brought the start forward by an hour, but half the field hadn’t got the news – so it felt like ages before we actually started warming up. I was coming off a heavier week for me (read: I actually trained this week, my legs felt like crap) and I could feel it as soon as I jumped on the turbo. Today was going to hurt!

After an age waiting for the sprinters, we finally got our heats and pacers sorted out. I was drawn in the first heat, along with the experienced Jan Birkmyre, Cassie Gledhill, Corrinne Hall and someone else! I definitely reckon Jo got the easier heat….

Anyway, I drew 1^st position and me and pacer Pip (thank you Pip!) set off on the front. For the first 14 or so of 20 laps. First mistake! The rest of the field had tucked in and watched me working on the front and then came past with seemingly no effort. We tried to lift the pace but my legs weren’t in it and we let them go. Fortunately the lovely Pip kept me in the race and I qualified for the final in 4^th place, not bad for a first attempt!

Els in action behind her pacer

Jo was up next and qualified easily for the final. In her heat were Katie Archibald (this girl is going places! Awesome breakaway partner from Dudley GP), Harriet Owen and 2 Welwyn Wheelers girls.

Jo in action in the final

Several hours later (did I mention there were sprinters there?!) we lined up for the final. This time we had decided to sit at the back and keep out of trouble which was a great plan. But again, when the attack went, my legs just couldn’t cope with the increase in pace. No biggy, still a massive learning curve and I’ll be rested for Herne Hill.

Corrinne and Harriet were the 2 riders lifting the pace and quickly got off the front, followed by Jo and Jan Birkmyre. Unfortunately with 4 to go Jo’s derny decided to have a mechanical and with that went her 3^rd place. L

Massive thanks to Jace and Jamie again for their help.

Blog on Dudley GP womens omnium - Eleanor Jones

Held over the first weekend in July, the weather promised us rain for the entire weekend. BUT the sun came good and a full race programme was held over 2 days, including a round of the women’s National Omnium on the Sunday.

Halesowen is a 10 minute drive from my house so I rolled out of bed and got there in good time. Not so my team mates Adel and Jo, who decided not to risk it with the weather. Jo I believe went for a rainy road ride instead (unlucky hun!). I was joined by team mate Laura Clode and super DS and mechanic Jason Streather and his brother Jamie.

Unfortunately the promise of poor weather had drastically reduced the field to only 11 riders, with a good mix of experienced races and exciting newbies – take note of Katie Archibald, Rachel James and sprinter Lauren Quenby.

First event – the scratch – Katie Archibald quickly got a half lap lead from the gun (apparently the men start faster than the women do!) which I’m sure she regretted relinquishing. The bunch came back together and despite a few attacks it stayed together. I had told myself I would go with 6 to go, so when the lap board said 2 I decided I didn’t want to hang around for the sprint finish! A quick dig saw me get some space, followed by Katie Archibald. Coming through the line, I checked my shoulder, saw the bunch (Katie) and decided to swing up. Katy came through, kept going, and I missed her wheel. Now I had a whole lap in no man’s land, whoops. School girl error there. I held on and was overhauled on the line, finishing 6^th overall.

Next up – pursuit. This one’s pretty easy – PLF for 5 laps. I can do that. With Jase’s super fast wheels I lined up with Hannah Manley and Jan Birkmyre. I was pretty psyched for this one – I like pursuiting, and I had had a rubbish race at Welwyn. Final result – second, behind Jan.

Points next. An early, promising looking attack went that included Jan B but the bunch was vigilant and didn’t really want to let her go. First sprint went, people were out of breath and a little earlier than id like I find myself off the front with Katie Archibald again. This time a look, a wink and we had decided to work together. Et voila, one lap up and while I sat in, Katie just kept on going! Did I mention she was one to watch?!

I went into the sprint in 4^th place, racing Rachel, Jan and Katie. The format of the sprint is that the first 4 overall race for 1-4 in the sprint, then the next four for 5-8 etc. So I couldn’t get any lower. Bonus. So, Jan and Rachel (sprinters!) race off, and me and Katie roll in behind. All good.

Last event was the TT, just one lap at Halesowen. I watched the first four riders on my station get a push at the start (yay!!! But no!!!) before the commisaire told the pusher that it was a held start – just before I was going to go! So up I go and round I race, a bit wbbly at the start but finish 5^th in the TT, enough to hold on for 3^rd overall.

Was massively chuffed with my results and massive thanks for all the advice and encouragement and equipment (Jase and Jamie), breakaway partners (Katie Archibald), and organizers. See you next year.

Result:

1 Miss Rachel James  Abergavenny Road Club 

2 Ms Janet Birkmyre  Torq Performance 

3 Mrs Eleanor Jones  VC St Raphael 

4 Miss Katie Archibald  Edinburgh Racers 

5 Miss Ellie Coster  Bush Healthcare CRT 

6 Miss Hannah Manley  For Viored 

7 Miss Lauren Quenby  Newcastle Racing Club 2001/Modern Glass.com 

8 Miss Laura Clode  VC St Raphael 

9 Miss Victoria Kinrade  Team Royal London 360

10 Miss Melissa Bury  Champion System/Maxgear/Kyklos 

11 Miss Sara Gent  VO2 Development Team 

Naseby Team Series

The team consisted of Jo, Bex, Ellie, Nicci and Vanessa on sunday for another round of the Womens team series, held at Naseby.  This proved to be a disappointing race as the race was halted for approximately 10 minutes to allow the mens race, being held on the circuit at the same time, to pass through in entirety.  This happened 5 miles from the finish, blamed by the organisers on the slow pace of the race!  This was contradicatory to their own report of it being an aggressive race with many attacks lasting several miles each.  It was a shame that this occurred as we had 3 riders in a break up the road at the time of stopping the race and they were restarted with the bunch. 
Needless to say there were a lot of unhappy riders after the race.
For what it is worth (as the result really is marred by the decisions of the officials during the race), here are the results:

Result
1. Elinor Barker Scott Contessa Epic
2. Hannah Barnes Impsport Team A
3. Karla Boddy High Wycombe CC
4. Amy Roberts Scott Contessa Epic
5. Lowri Bunn Abergavenny RC
6. Penny Rowson Matrix Fitness
7. Molly Weaver Scott Contessa Epic
8. Jessie Walker Matrix Fitness
9. Gabriella Shaw Viored RT
10. Tamina Oliver Abegavenny RT
11. Lara Massey Abergavenny
12. Rebecca Heath VC St Raphael
13. Nicola Soden Champion Systems/Maxgear RT
14. Vanessa Whitfield VC St Raphael
15. Stephania Magri GB Cycles
16. Anna Fischer Champions Systems/Maxgear RT
17. Sarah Byrne Abegavenny RT
18. Eve Dixon Champion Systems/Maxgear RT
19. Ellie Gilham VC St Raphael
20. Lauren Brown Champion Systems/Maxgear RT
21. Louise Mahe Mulebar Girls
22. Harriet Owen Node 4 Giordana
23. Linda Young GB Cycles
24. Jo Tindley VC St Raphael
25. Iona Sewell GB Cycles
26. Nikola Butler Impsport Team A
27. Sian Findlay Team Zappi
28. Chantelle Rothe Impsport Team A
29. Emily Kay Scott Contessa Epic
30. Jessica Hill Cardiff Ajax
TEAM
1. Scott Contessa Epic 344 points
2 Abergavenny RC 236 points
3 Impsport Team A 182 points
4 VC St Raphael 158 points
5 Champion Systems/Maxgear RT 158 points
6 Matrix Fitness 145 points
7 High Wycombe CC 115 points
8 GB Cycles 101 points
9 For Viored RT 60 points
10 Mulebar Girls 32 points
11 Node 4 Giordana 31 points
12 Team Zappi 26 points
13 Cardiff Ajax 23 points

Laura wins Team Tor 2000 Circuit Series

Laura Clode won the Team Tor 2000 womens series held at Ilton throughout this summer.  Laura also won the overall points competition held on the points accumulated based on the primes during the races.  Laura is a first year junior so adding a series win to her name so young shows a bright future ahead.  Well done Laura.

3rd and 4th at Blackpool Surf n Turf

Going into the final stage of the National Series Blackpool Surf n Turf 2day stage race, Bex was lying in 1st place and Jo in 6th.  Riding to protect their GC positions Jo controlled the pace by riding hard on the front.  Unfortunately when two riders attacked later on in the stage Jo ran out of legs to chase it back.  Drilling it on the front again after a brief breather, Jo again wound up the pace on the front of the bunch with Bex on her wheel.  They managed to get a gap from the bunch which they decided to capitalise on and managed to get a gap of 40s over the bunch.  They did not bridge to the 2 riders up the road but had done enough to secure 3rd and 4th in the stage and 3rd and 4th in the GC.  Vanessa also assisted the girls in their efforts to retain GC position and rode brilliantly to finish in the bunch in both the crit and the road race.  She ended up 20th which is brilliant for her first National Series race.  An excellent result for the team which will see Bex and Jo build on their positions in the National Series.  Good to see great teamwork rewarded.



Jo on the attack stage 3



Podium for GC

Stage 2
1 Emily Kay Scott Contessa Epic
2 NICOLA JUNIPER EAGLE RC
3 Jo Tindley VC St Raphael
4 Rebecca Heath VC St. Raphael5 Laura Masey Abegavenny Road Club
6 Lucy Garner Node4 Giordana
7 Harriet Owen Node4 Giordana
8 Sarah Austin Abergavenny Road Club
9 Amy Hill Abergavenny Road Club
10 Tamina Oliver AbergavennyRC
11 Lowri Bunn AbergavennyRoad Club
12 KEIRA MCVITTY BUZZCYCLES.CO.K
13 Lauren Brown Champion systems Maxgear
14 Eve Dixon championsystems/maxgear/kyklos
15 Brit Tate Dirtwheels
16 Louise Borthwick Edinburgh RC
17 Hannah Manley for viored
18 Adele Martin GB.cycles.co.uk
19 Rebecca Hunt Scott Contessa Epic
20 Elinor Barker Scott Contessa Epic
21 Zoe Armstrong Scott Contessa Epic
22 Molly Weaver Scott Contessa Epic RT
23 Gillian Taylor Strada Cycles
24 Kayleigh Brogan Team Ibis Cycles
25 Gemma Neill Team Leslie Bike Shop
26 Vanessa Whitfield VC St Raphael
27 Laura Murray Velocity44stirling
28 Anna Fischer Wilier Live2Ride
29 Joanne Blakeley Seamons CC
30 Louise Mahe Mule Bar Girls
31 Elinor Winter Corvida Allpress
32 Rebecca Keogh Solihull CC
DNF Hannah Shenton Node4 Giordana
DNF Nicola Soden Champion System/Maxgear/Kyklos
DNF Hayley Edwards ChampionSystems/Maxgear/Kyklos
DNF Racheal Bamford Dirtwheels
DNF Sarah Brook MuleBar Girl
DNF Karen Poole Squadra Donne - Shutt VR
DNF Anna Christian Team Scott Contessa Epic Cycle
DNS Sarah King Node4 Giordana
DNS Frances White Champion System/Maxgear/Kyklos
DNS Laura Wasley Manx Viking Wheelers
DNS Victoria Annis VC Bradford/Pennine Cycles
DNS Ellie Gilham VC St Raphael

General Classification
1 Emily Kay Scott Contessa Epic 02:55:36
2 NICOLA JUNIPER EAGLE RC @ 00:00:10
3 Rebecca Heath VC St. Raphael @ 00:00:26
4 Jo Tindley VC St Raphael @ 00:00:305 Laura Masey Abegavenny Road Club @ 00:00:38
6 Kayleigh Brogan Team Ibis Cycles @ 00:01:09
7 Lucy Garner Node4 Giordana @ 00:01:10
8 Tamina Oliver AbergavennyRC @ 00:01:12
9 Harriet Owen Node4 Giordana @ 00:01:13
10 Anna Fischer Wilier Live2Ride @ 00:01:13
11 Louise Borthwick Edinburgh RC @ 00:01:13
12 Lowri Bunn AbergavennyRoad Club @ 00:01:13
13 Elinor Barker Scott Contessa Epic @ 00:01:14
14 Molly Weaver Scott Contessa Epic RT @ 00:01:14
15 Zoe Armstrong Scott Contessa Epic @ 00:01:14
16 Eve Dixon championsystems/maxgear/kyklos @ 00:01:14
17 Laura Murray Velocity44stirling @ 00:01:15
18 Amy Hill Abergavenny Road Club @ 00:01:15
19 Rebecca Hunt Scott Contessa Epic @ 00:01:16
20 Vanessa Whitfield VC St Raphael @ 00:01:1621 Hannah Manley for viored @ 00:01:16
22 Lauren Brown Champion systems Maxgear @ 00:01:16
23 KEIRA MCVITTY BUZZCYCLES.CO.K @ 00:01:19
24 Joanne Blakeley Seamons CC @ 00:02:06
25 Gillian Taylor Strada Cycles @ 00:02:33
26 Gemma Neill Team Leslie Bike Shop @ 00:02:35
27 Brit Tate Dirtwheels @ 00:03:01
28 Adele Martin GB.cycles.co.uk @ 00:04:37
29 Sarah Austin Abergavenny Road Club @ 00:08:47
30 Louise Mahe Mule Bar Girls @ 00:10:32
31 Elinor Winter Corvida Allpress @ 00:12:00
32 Rebecca Keogh Solihull CC @ 00:39:51
DNF Hannah Shenton Node4 Giordana DNF
DNF Nicola Soden Champion System/Maxgear/Kyklos DNF
DNF Hayley Edwards ChampionSystems/Maxgear/Kyklos DNF
DNF Racheal Bamford Dirtwheels DNF
DNF Sarah Brook MuleBar Girl DNF
DNF Karen Poole Squadra Donne - Shutt VR DNF
DNS Sarah King Node4 Giordana DNS
DNS Frances White Champion System/Maxgear/Kyklos DNS
DNS Laura Wasley Manx Viking Wheelers DNS
DNS Anna Christian Team Scott Contessa Epic Cycle DNS
DNS Victoria Annis VC Bradford/Pennine Cycles DNS
DNS Ellie Gilham VC St Raphael DNS

For full report and results:
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roa20120716-road-National-Women-s-Series-continues-with-Surf-and-Turf-Weekend-0

Adel Silver in womens National Masters Road Race

Adel rode the National Masters Road Race today and claimed the silver medal.  After a tough aggressive race Natalie Creswick managed to escape the bunch.  Adel worked to try and gether back but Natalie won by over a minute in the end.  Coming into the finish Adel managed to overcome a gap of 200m on 2 other girls to take the sprint for the line for Silver.



Podium for the National Womens Masters Road Race

Result Women: +30
1: Natalie Cresswick: Mule Bar Girls
2: Adel Tyson- Bloor: Vc St Raphael
3: Elise Sherwell: Look Mum No Hands

Bex Heath wins Prologue at Blackpool Surf n Turf 2day

Bex Heath won the prologue today for the first stage of the Blackpool 2Day Surf n Turf.  The prologue was a 1km lap of the Preston Circuit.  Bex was the penultimate rider to set off and smashed the current leading time by 0.5sec on the short circuit.  Jo also posted a fast time placing her 6th overall going into stage 2, a crit round Preston circuit.


Bex starting her winning Prologue

In the second stage, the crit round Preston circuit, Jo rode an aggressive race and placed 3rd in the first prime and 1st in the second prime.  Both Jo and Bex finished in the bunch in the crit, after covering attacks and therefore lie in their positions after the TT.  Bex leads the stage race going into the final stage, a road stage of 55miles around the Balshall Eaves circuit.


Bex and Jo cornering in the crit - stage 2

It has been a strong showing by VC St Raphael women today with Vanessa Whitfield making her National Series race debut and finishing in the bunch in the stage 2 crit.


Vanessa in action in the crit, stage 2

Results:

Prologue Time Trial
1 Rebecca Heath VC St. Raphael 01:23.62 Kayleigh Brogan Team Ibis Cycles 01:24.0
3 Lucy Garner Node4 Giordana 01:24.8
4 Tamina Oliver AbergavennyRC 01:26.8
5 Emily Kay Scott Contessa Epic 01:26.8
6 Jo Tindley VC St Raphael 01:27.57 Laura Masey Abegavenny Road Club 01:27.5
8 Brit Tate Dirtwheels 01:27.5
9 Harriet Owen Node4 Giordana 01:27.6
10 Racheal Bamford Dirtwheels 01:27.7
11 Anna Fischer Wilier Live2Ride 01:27.8
12 Louise Borthwick Edinburgh RC 01:28.0
13 Lowri Bunn AbergavennyRoad Club 01:28.1
14 Elinor Barker Scott Contessa Epic 01:28.5
15 Molly Weaver Scott Contessa Epic RT 01:28.7
16 Zoe Armstrong Scott Contessa Epic 01:28.8
17 Nicola Soden Champion System/Maxgear/Kyklos 01:28.9
18 NICOLA JUNIPER EAGLE RC 01:29.1
19 Eve Dixon championsystems/maxgear/kyklos 01:29.1
20 Hayley Edwards ChampionSystems/Maxgear/Kyklos 01:29.3
21 Anna Christian Team Scott Contessa Epic Cycle 01:29.4
22 Laura Murray Velocity44stirling 01:29.5
23 Gillian Taylor Strada Cycles 01:29.5
24 Louise Mahe Mule Bar Girls 01:29.7
25 Gemma Neill Team Leslie Bike Shop 01:29.7
26 Sarah Brook MuleBar Girl 01:30.0
27 Amy Hill Abergavenny Road Club 01:30.1
28 Adele Martin GB.cycles.co.uk 01:30.1
29 Joanne Blakeley Seamons CC 01:30.6
30 Rebecca Hunt Scott Contessa Epic 01:30.7
31 Vanessa Whitfield VC St Raphael 01:30.832 Hannah Manley for viored 01:31.1
33 Lauren Brown Champion systems Maxgear 01:31.1
34 Elinor Winter Corvida Allpress 01:31.6
35 Sarah Austin Abergavenny Road Club 01:32.2
36 KEIRA MCVITTY BUZZCYCLES.CO.K 01:34.2
37 Karen Poole Squadra Donne - Shutt VR 01:35.9
38 Hannah Shenton Node4 Giordana 01:36.5
39 Frances White Champion System/Maxgear/Kyklos 01:36.5
40 Rebecca Keogh Solihull CC 01:37.8
DNS Sarah King Node4 Giordana DNS
DNS Laura Wasley Manx Viking Wheelers DNS
DNS Victoria Annis VC Bradford/Pennine Cycles DNS
DNS Ellie Gilham VC St Raphael DNS

Stage 11 Lucy Garner Node4 Giordana
2 Kayleigh Brogan Team Ibis Cycles
3 Harriet Owen Node4 Giordana
4 Emily Kay Scott Contessa Epic
5 Racheal Bamford Dirtwheels
6 Lowri Bunn AbergavennyRoad Club
7 KEIRA MCVITTY BUZZCYCLES.CO.K
8 Lauren Brown Champion systems Maxgear
9 NICOLA JUNIPER EAGLE RC
10 Tamina Oliver AbergavennyRC
11 Anna Christian Team Scott Contessa Epic Cycle
12 Laura Masey Abegavenny Road Club
13 Louise Borthwick Edinburgh RC
14 Rebecca Hunt Scott Contessa Epic
15 Rebecca Heath VC St. Raphael
16 Zoe Armstrong Scott Contessa Epic
17 Amy Hill Abergavenny Road Club
18 Sarah Brook MuleBar Girl
19 Eve Dixon championsystems/maxgear/kyklos
20 Elinor Winter Corvida Allpress
21 Louise Mahe Mule Bar Girls
22 Jo Tindley VC St Raphael
23 Elinor Barker Scott Contessa Epic
24 Joanne Blakeley Seamons CC
25 Vanessa Whitfield VC St Raphael
26 Laura Murray Velocity44stirling
27 Molly Weaver Scott Contessa Epic RT
28 Hannah Manley for viored
29 Anna Fischer Wilier Live2Ride
30 Nicola Soden Champion System/Maxgear/Kyklos
31 Gillian Taylor Strada Cycles
32 Gemma Neill Team Leslie Bike Shop
33 Brit Tate Dirtwheels
34 Adele Martin GB.cycles.co.uk
35 Karen Poole Squadra Donne - Shutt VR
36 Sarah Austin Abergavenny Road Club
37 Hannah Shenton Node4 Giordana
38 Rebecca Keogh Solihull CC
39 Frances White Champion System/Maxgear/Kyklos
DNF Hayley Edwards ChampionSystems/Maxgear/Kyklos

Sprint 11 Tamina Oliver AbergavennyRC
2 Louise Mahe Mule Bar Girls
3 Jo Tindley VC St Raphael
4 Amy Hill Abergavenny Road Club

Sprint 2
1 Jo Tindley VC St Raphael
2 Amy Hill Abergavenny Road Club
3 Elinor Barker Scott Contessa Epic
4 Louise Mahe Mule Bar Girls

For full article:

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roa20120716-road-National-Women-s-Series-continues-with-Surf-and-Turf-Weekend-0

Laura leads the Team Tor womens series

Laura Clode leads the womens series at Ilton, run by Team Tor.  She has placed consistently 2nd and 3rd in each race and leads the series going into the penultimate race this thursday.  Good luck Laura!

Category promotions

Eleanor Jones and Laura Clode have both been promoted to 2nd cat.  Eleanor has secured hers by performing well locally and claimimg a race win and some impressive track racing.  Laura likewise has performed well locally and due to her consistency in the Team Tor womens series is now leading the womens series.

El Jones 3rd at Dudley GP National Womens Omnium

El rode Dudley GP National Womens omnium today and placed consistently well in all events to claim 3rd overall.  El did a brilliant pursuit, where she was beaten into 2nd place by just 1s.  She backed this up with a 2nd place in the points race after she attacked after the 1st sprint and broke away with another girl.  The pair managed to stay away and clear up the remaining sprints.  A 3rd and 6th place in the sprint and scratch race respectively and a solid TT meant El had done enough to secure 3rd overall.  A brilliant, strong performance by El, well done.
Well done to our junior rider Laura who finished 7th overall.

Oakley Team Series Race

Jo, Bex, Adel, Nicci and Ellie raced at Oakley Womens Team Series race today.  This is a flat course of 6laps over 50miles.  Jo managed to win the second prime and Adel was 3rd in the first one.  The girls rode an aggressive race, putting in many atacks, but on a flat course like this, nothing was getting away.  A very wet night before the race meant that the race suface wasn't ideal, leading to many punctures, claiming both Nicci and Ellie.  In the bunch for the finish we had Jo, Adel and Bex and they positioned themselves brilliantly to claim 4th, 6th and 9th respectively.  The team finished 2nd overall, without losing 2 of our riders to punctures we would have secured the win for sure.

Bunch kick

Top 10 Result:
1 Claire Galloway (For Viored RT)
2 Emily Kay (Scott Contessa-Epic)
3 Harriet Owen (Node4 Giordana)
4 Jo Tindley (VC St Raphael)
5 Anna Christian (Scott Contessa-Epic)
6 Adel Tyson-Bloor (VC St Raphael)
7 Gabby Shaw (ForViored RT)
8 Tamina Oliver (Abergavenny RC)
9 Rebecca Heath (VC St Raphael)
10 Nicola Juniper (Corvida All Press)

For full results and report:
http://www.velouk.net/2012/07/07/results-oakley-village-races/

Eurosport to televise JHT series

It has been confirmed that Eurosport will broadcast two dedicated highlight’s shows from the five-round Johnson Health Tech Series.

Programme schedule:
Thursday 5th July    18:00       
Highlights One (Rds 1,2 & 3)

Sunday 8th July        19:30       
Highlights Two (Rds 4 & 5)

Friday 20th July        17:15       
Highlights One (Rds 1,2 & 3)

Saturday 21st July    18:45       
Highlights Two (Rds 4 & 5)

Monday 23rd July    16:30       
Highlights One (Rds 1,2 & 3)

Monday 23rd July    17:00      
Highlights Two (Rds 4 & 5)
    
Tuesday 24th July    14:30       
Highlights One (Rds 1,2 & 3)

Tuesday 24th July    19:00       
Highlights Two (Rds 4 & 5)

Wednesday 25th July    08:45       
Highlights One (Rds 1,2 & 3)

Wednesday 25th July    11:00       
Highlights Two (Rds 4 & 5)

For full details:
http://www.tourseries.co.uk/ArticleView.asp?Id=508

Adel gains 1st cat licence

With the aid of her points from the National Track Masters results, on top of her consistent results at National races and 5 race wins, Adel has been promoted to 1st cat.  Well done Adel, an upgrade each year.....Elite next year?!

Bex 5th at Curlew Cup

Bex Heath raced the 4th round of the National Series, the Curlew Cup.  This was an undulating circuit over a distance of 55miles.  After a couple of laps, Bex managed to get in a very well represented break of 5 riders: Sarah Storey, Catherine Williams, Eileen Roe, Helen Wyman and Bex.  This break was the winning move and Bex managed 5th.  This puts her in a strong position in the National Series rankings, in the top ten, thanks to an impressive 4th at Capernwray too.  Well done Bex!


Bex in the Break going through the start/finish line



Post-Race interview with Sarah storey:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dw39ENpEcTK0%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&h=VAQG91CFd
Results:

1 Sarah Storey OBE (Escentual For Viored) 55 miles in 2:28:31
2 Catherine Williams (Bizhub SCF)
3 Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Racing)
4 Eileen Roe (Team Ibis Cycles) all @ same time
5 Rebecca Heath (VC St Raphael) @ 4sec
6 Annie Simpson (Matrix Fitness Prendas) @ 2:47
7 Corinne Hall (Node 4-Giordana)
8 Siobhyn McNamara (Inverse)
9 Tracy Vest (Shutt Squadra Donne)
10 Iona Sewell (GB Cycles) all @ same time

Report and photos:

http://www.velouk.net/2012/07/01/live-beaumont-trophy-curlew-cup/

Adel and Caroline Medal at the National Masters Track Champs

Adel and Caroline competed in the National Masters Track Champs this weekend at Newport, both in the 35-39 category.  Caroline raced the sprints on friday and finished 4th, a warm-up for the weekend.  Saturday morning was the 500mmTT and Adel did a good time riding 40s and clinching Bronze.

Saturday afternoon saw the girls take to the boards in the Scratch Race.  This was an aggressive race over 40laps.  Both Adel and Caroline made it into the front split of 7 riders, which was to be the winning break.  Caroline claimed Silver and Adel Bronze.


Scratch race - Caroline Silver, Adel Bronze

Sunday morning was the pursuits.  Adel was first up out of the two and managed a storming ride, considering how few pursuits she has done.  She did a storming pb of 2.40.  Caroline was up in the final round up against last years champion.  Caroline went out hard and was up on Siobhan all the way, but Siobhan came back strong in the last 2 laps to win out of the pair, but it wasn't enough to topple Adel.  Siobhan beat Caroline by 1s, Caroline doing a pb by 6s from lats year to get a 2.45.  Adel claimed Gold and Caroline Bronze.  Brilliant rides by both girls.


Pursuit - Caroline Bronze, Adel Gold

The last event, 8pm on sunday evening was the Points race.  Gallant efforts by both girls to get into break-aways and Carolines incessant attacking meant that it was a tough race for everyone.  Adel claimed a 2nd place in one of the sprints and Caroline two 4th places meant during the race.  Adel claimed Bronze in this race.  A brilliant weekends racing! 

3rd Team Overall in Johnson Health Tech GP series

Stoke-on-Trent hosted the final round of the Johnson Health Tech series.  The team conisted of Jo Tindley, Adel Tyson-Bloor, Bex Heath, Hannah Layland and Eleanor Jones  An excellent ride by the team saw them clinch the 3rd place prize overall by scoring 24pts, with Jo 7th, Adel 11th and Bex 16th.  The team ended up clear of Mule Bar girls in 4th by a massive 23pts. 
On the night, Jo ran Annie Simpson close for the overall sprints competition.  With Helen Wyman away by herself, there was only 4pt up for grabs in the intermediate sprints.  Jo managed to win the bunch sprint for each, ably assisted by Bex leading her out, scoring 8pt on the night and coming in just 1pt off Annie overall.  Jo ended up 7th overall in the series and Adel 11th.
The team has done an exceptional ride in the whole series and has certainly put VC St Raphael in the mix as one of the top teams in the country. 

Hannah Walker and Jo Tindley battle for sprint points 

Round Five Individual Result
1)    Helen Wyman, Kona Factory Racing
2)    Laura Massey, Vivelo Bikes / Inverse / Cyclaim
3)    Jessie Walker, Matrix Fitness - Prendas
4)    Harriet Owen, Node4 - Giordana Racing
5)    Hannah Walker, Matrix Fitness - Prendas
6)    Lucy Garner, Node4 - Giordana Racing
7)    Jo Tindley, VC St Raphael
8)    Penny Rowson, Matrix Fitness - Prendas
9)    Ruth Winder, Team VanderKitten
10)    Alice Barnes, Twenty3c.co.uk - Orbea
11)    Adel Tyson-Bloor, VC St Raphael
12)    Annie Simpson, Matrix Fitness - Prendas
13)    Grace Garner, RST Racing Team Trigon
14)    Louise Mahe, Mule Bar Girls
15)    Corrine Hall, Node4 - Giordana Racing
16)    Rebecca Heath, VC St Raphael
17)    Miriam Freemantle, Team Hope Factory Racing
18)    Hayley Edwards, Champion System / Maxgear / Kyklos
19)    Sarah Brook, Mule Bar Girls
20)    Nicole Walters, Team Hope Factory Racing

Final Overall Individual Standings, post Round Five (top ten)
1)    Annie Simpson, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 77pts
2)    Helen Wyman, Kona Factory Racing, 72pts
3)    Corrine Hall, Node4 - Giordana Racing, 62pts
4)    Penny Rowson, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 58pts
5)    Laura Massey, Vivelo Bikes / Inverse / Cyclaim, 57pts
6)    Harriet Owen, Node4 - Giordana Racing, 54pts
7)    Jo Tindley, VC St Raphael, 50pts
8)    Hannah Walker, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 45pts
9)    Alice Barnes, Twenty3c.co.uk - Orbea, 31pts
10)    Lydia Boylan, Look Mum No Hands!, 28pts
11)    Adel Tyson Bloor, VC St Raphael, 27pts

Final Overall Team Standings, post-Round Five
1)    Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 202pts
2)    Node4 - Giordana Racing, 175pts
3)    VC St Raphael, 105pts
4)    Mule Bar Girls, 82pts
5)    Look Mum No Hands!, 45pts

Bex 16th at National Road Race

Jo and Bex travelled to York for the Women's National Road Race Championships today.  As per usual years the pattern of the race was set by the European based pro-riders.  After having been on antibiotics all week after a nasty bit of road rash gor infected from a crash in the JHT series, Jo struggled with form for the race.  Bex however rode a very valiant race and managed an impressive 16th place, finishing in a groups with most of the top domestic riders in country and beating many of them in the sprint for the line.  Well done Bex, brilliant effort considering this is her first season road racing!

Women’s Race Result
1. Sharon Laws AA Drinks
2. Lizzie Armitstead, AA Drinks @ 1.36
3. Emma Pooley, AA Drinks, @ 1.41
4. Nikki Harris, Telnet @2.43
5. Sarah Storey, For Viored @3.52
6. Nicole Cooke, Faren @9.02
7. Catherine Williamson, Bizhub
8. Katie Colclough, Luliemon
9. Emma Trott, Dolmans @9.44
10. Natalie Creswick, Mulebar @9.51
11. Sarah Bryne, For Viored
12. Claire Galloway, For Viored
13. Penny Rowson, Matrix Fitness Prendas
14. Annie Simpson, Matrix Fitness Prendas
15. Gemma Niel, Leslie Bikeshop
16. Rebecca Heath, VC St raphael
17. Corrine Hall, Node 4
18. Eileen Row,
19. Laura Massey,
20. Hannah Barnes
21. Lowri Bunn
22. Delia Beddis
23. Nicola Juniper
24. Keyliegh Brogan
25. Karla Boddy

Ellie wins again Thruxton

Ellie took another win last night in really windy conditions at Thruxton race circuit. She managed to outsprint her nearest rival for the win. Well done Ellie, good to see you winning a sprint :)

Ellie Wins at Portsmouth

Ellie Gilham took on a wet and windy race at Portsmouth today. This was a stage race with a prologue followed by a crit, where the women rode in with the 3rd cat men. Ellie did a strong TT to win by 2seconds and also won the crit by managing to stay in the bunch with the men and lap the other women riders. A very strong performance by Ellie, well done

Johnson Health Tech Round 4 - Woking

Jo Tindley, Bex Heath, Adel Tyson-Bloor, Ellie Gilham and Laura Clode all took on the highly technical circuit in the fourth round of the Johnson Health Tech series at Woking.
Going into this round as second in the sprints competition, behind Annie Simpson wearing the overall jersey, meant that Jo would start in the sprints jersey again. Jo rode an aggressive race, taking 3rd place in one of the sprints, edging her closer to Annie in the overall sprints competition. 

Jo stringing out the bunch

Bex was also in the front group with Jo, made up of just 14 riders. An unfortunate crash by Jo within the last lap cost her a high placed finish, but she got up and finished before the chasers, to finish in 15th place. Bex finished strongly in the front group in 13th. Adel lead home the chasers in a very respectible 17th place. Ellie and Laura worked in small groups chasing and is to their credit to have ridden such a technical course as juniors on this stage. Well done to the team for retaining their 3rd place in the team competition.



Pre-Race faces!



Going into the final round at Stoke on thursday the team lie in 3rd place, with a slim advantage over 4th placed Mule Bar Girls 3pts behind. Jo also retains her 2nd place in the sprints competition 8pts adrift of Annie Simpson and with a cushion of 3pts over 3rd place. Jo also lies in 9th place in the overall standings, within 2pts of 5th place, while Adel lies 13th in the overall standings.

For full report:
http://www.velouk.net/2012/06/13/report-johnson-health-tech-grand-prix-series/

Overall Team Standings, post Round 4 - Woking
1) Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 155pts
2) Node4 - Giordana Racing, 145pts
3) VC St Raphael, 76pts
4) Mule Bar Girls, 73pts
5) WyndyMilla UK Youth, 7pts

Sprints standings, post Round 4 - Woking
1) Annie Simpson, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 24pts
2) Jo Tindley, VC St Raphael, 16pts
3) Hannah Walker, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 13pts
4) Ruth Winder, Team VanderKitten, 12pts
5) Hannah Barnes, Team Ibis Cycles, 12pts
6) Lucy Garner, Node4 - Giordana Racing, 8pts
7) Harriet Owen, Node4 - Giordana Racing, 8pts
8) Helen Wyman, Kona Factory Racing, 5pts

Overall Individual Standings, post Round 4 - Woking
1) Annie Simpson, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 68pts
2) Corrine Hall, Node4 - Giordana Racing, 56pts
3) Helen Wyman, Kona Factory Racing, 52pts
4) Penny Rowson, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 45pts
5) Laura Massey, Vivelo Bikes / Inverse / Cyclaim, 38pts
6) Louise Mahe, Mule Bar Girls, 38pts
7) Harriet Owen, Node4 - Giordana Racing, 37pts
8) Hannah Barnes, Team Ibis Cycles, 37pts
9) Jo Tindley, VC St Raphael, 36pts
10) Hannah Walker, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 29pts
11) Lydia Boylan, Look Mum No Hands!, 28pts
12) Alice Barnes, Twenty3c.co.uk - Orbea, 20pts
13) Adel Tyson-Bloor, VC St Raphael, 17pts
14) Jo McRae, Look Mum No Hands!, 16pts
15) Adele Carter, Team Hope Factory Racing, 13pts
16) Lyndsey Glazier, Team Hope Factory Racing, 8pts
17) Emily Bagnall, WyndyMilla UK Yout, 7pts
18) Grace Garner, RST Racing Team Trigon, 5pts

Bex 4th at Capernwray

Bex Heath and Ellie Gilham travelled to the testing circuit of Capernwray for the 3rd round of the Womens National Road Race series. The small field of 30 riders that took to the start line is testament to the challenging nature of a circuit that suits the climbers. The group split on the very first time up the climb, which they were to tackle 5 times, and Bex was in the select few that made the cut of about 10 riders. A couple of attacks on the hill saw 3 riders go the road with Bex chasing to try and bridge the gap over the top of the climb. Up the hill on the final climb and Bex attacked the group she was with to claim 4th place and a silver medal in the North West Regional Road Race champs.

Bex Silver in NW Regional Road Race Champs

Result
1. Sarah Storey, For Viored
2. Tamina Oliver, Abergavenny RC
3. Sarah Byrne,
4. Rebecca Heath, VC St Raphael
5. Penny Rowson, Matrix Fitness/Prendas
6. Lowri Bunn, Abergavenny RC
7. Laura Massey, Vivelo-Bikes/Inverse Cyclaim RT
8. Molly Weaver, Scott Contessa
9. Claire Galloway, For Viored
10. Laura Murray, Velocity 44 Stirling

For full report and pictures:
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roa20120610-road-Road--Sarah-Storey-wins-Capernwray-0

Eleanor wins at Shrewsbury

Eleanor Jones and Heather Bamforth both rode the womens race in the Shrewsbury Sports Village Circuit Races. The pair worked well together having formed a break away of 6 riders that they drove. Their teamwork paid off as Eleanor came away with the win, with Heather in 6th. Great result and great teamwork.

Results:
1 Eleanor Jones (VC St Raphael)
2 Nikola Butler (Vivelo-Bikes/Inverse Cyclaim RT)
3 Manon Lloyd (Towy Riders)
4 Katie Evans (Team Type 1)
5 Tracy Dresch (Squadra Donne - Shutt VR/Bikefood)
6 Heather Bamforth (VC St Raphael)

Hillingdon

Fresh from riding the tour series at Colchester this week, Nicci raced at Hillingdon in the womens only race. Having chased down many attacks in the latter stages of the race and keeping the bunch together, Nicci finished well to place 6th in the sprint. A great result.

Johnson Health Tech Round 3 - Colchester

Colchester hosted the 3rd round of the Johnson Health Tech series and it turned out to be a wet and windy race. The length cut down from 45mins to 35mins and the weather conditions meant all attacks were neutralised and no riders managed to escape the bunch. Jo scooped more points in the sprints competition by placing second in both primes. This means that she lies 2nd overall with a slim margin of 1pt over Hannah Barnes in 3rd. An unfortunate crash where Louise Mahe took out Bex going into the last sprint prime 3 laps before the finish meant that she would never regain contact with the lead bunch. Bex did however manage to finish well in 13th, while Jo finished in the lead group in 9th. Adel finished high up in the 2nd group on the road to take 15th, Caroline in 25th and Nicci in 27th. This was a very strong ride by the team and they claimed 2nd place on the night. The team go into the penultimate round at Woking on tuesday night in 3rd place overall in the series. Jo will wear the sprinters jersey at Woking, earned by her 2nd place to Annie Simpson in the overall standings for that competition.

Start of race

Overall Team Standings, post-Round Three
1) Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 108pts
2) Node4 - Giordana Racing, 108pts
3) VC St Raphael, 58pts
4) Mule Bar Girls, 50pts
5) Look Mum No Hands!, 45pts
6) WyndyMilla UK Youth, 6pts

Sprints standings, post Round Three1) Annie Simpson, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 24pts
2) Jo Tindley, VC Raphael, 13pts
3) Hannah Barnes, Team Ibis Cycles, 12pts
4) Harriet Owen, Node4 - Giordana Racing, 8pts
5) Lucy Garner, Node4 - Giordana Racing, 5pts
6) Hannah Walker, Matrix Fitness - Prendas, 5pts
7) Helen Wyman, Kona Factory Racing, 5pts

For full report and results:
http://www.velouk.net/2012/06/08/report-johnson-health-tech-gp-colchester/

Jubilee Road Race - Womens Team Series

A wet and hilly race saw our 5 riders of Jo Tindley, Adel Tyson-Bloor, Bex Heath, Ellie Gilham and Eleanor Jones tackle 4laps of an undulating circuit...with a killer climb. The hill split the bunch into 3 groups on the road from the first lap, Jo and Bex in the front group and Adel and Ellie in the second. Valiant efforts of all our riders on the hill and at the finish meant they took 5th team on the day with Jo finishing in 8th, Bex 11th, Adel 27th, Ellie 48th and Eleanor Jones 54th. Well done to all the girls on such a tough circuit in miserable
conditions!

Jo at the top of the 14% climb

For more details and full results:
http://www.velouk.net/2012/06/03/report-womens-team-series-banbury/

Hillingdon GP - Womens National Series

Riding this race we had Jo Tindley, Adel Tyson-Bloor, Eleanor Jones, Bex Heath, Ellie Gilham, Caroline Harding and Nicci Meadows.

The brief for this race was to be aggressive and attack to force a break-away, that would be our best chance to win the race as Lucy Garner, the world junior road race champion was riding. The girls did just this and there were several moves that went up the road with one of our riders featuring in each of them. Bex Heath was away with a group early on in the race but the other riders she was with weren't working so it was doomed to fail. Adel did a brilliant lead-out for Jo who took one of the primes.



Jo taking Prime, lead-out by Adel

 A move just over half way through the race saw Adel, and 3 other riders clear of the bunch. They were soon joined by Lucy Garner and Elinor Barker. With the major teams represented this move stuck and saw them clear of the bunch by over a minute. Adel ended up 6th and Jo did a very respectable sprint to come in 4th in the bunch gallop and take 10th overall!



Adel in the 6-(wo)man break!

The girls worked brilliantly as a team, putting in work for team-mates when required. Great team work!

Post race hug, Ellie, Adel, Bex, Caroline, Jo

Having taken 10th place at the Cheshire Classic, the first round of the National series back in April, Jo now lies in 10th place in the standings. Adel lies in 17th overall having been away racing the Tour of Korea when Cheshire was on.

For full report and results:
http://www.velouk.net/2012/05/27/report-hillingdon-grand-prix/