Ellie wins Springtime Pursuit Race 1

Ellie first across the line - (c) Richard Owens 2013

Today 4 of the girls travelled to Devon for the first of the 3 race series of Springtime Pursuits, Ellie Gilham, Anna Fischer, Jenny Hudson, Laura Clode.  The race was intended to be a Handicap but with a small bunch of E/1/2 as the scratch group it was decided to scrap the handicap and start all the riders together.

Ellie, Anna and Jenny after the race

Here is Anna's take on it:

"The race started with a crash just in front of me after just 30 seconds! Luckily I could stay upright and I was reminded to stay near the front which I managed all day. The course was quite flat and no one was in attacking mode, so it was quite obvious it would all come down to the finish hill to decide the winner. Ellie and Jenny felt pretty good, so I decided to lead them out from the bottom of the hill. When we hit the front only one other rider could stay with us. The bunch was way back. When I slowed a little, Ellie came past going for the final metres and Jenny and the other girl followed. Ellie held on for an awesome win and Jenny made 3rd in her first ever race. I managed 4th despite proper slowing down as the gap to the rest of the riders was big! It was an awesome performance from everyone and I really enjoyed being back racing, staying upright and see the team get the win."

A great result for the team and again showed what team-work can achieve.  It was a shame that Laura punctured during the race as she had been riding very strong and contributed to the teams success.

Results:

1	Miss Ellie Gilham	VC St Raphael	Finished	2nd	01:25:17:000	10
2	Miss Natalie Grinczer	Birmingham University Cycling ...	Finished	4th		8
3	Miss Jennifer Hudson	VC St Raphael	Finished	4th		7
4	Miss Anna Fischer	VC St Raphael	Finished	2nd		6
5	Miss Claire Elworthy	Exeter Wheelers	Finished	4th		5
6	Miss Bryony Board	Glendene CC	Finished	3rd		4
7	Miss Georgina Snowdon-Brett	University of Bristol Cycling ...	Finished	4th		3
8	Miss Catriona Ross	PSUK Cycle Race Team	Finished	4th		2
9	Miss Stephanie Post	Cardiff Ajax CC	Finished	4th		1
10	Mrs Jennifer Edwards	Rhos On Sea Cycling Club	Finished	4th		1

The bunch all together -  (c) Richard Owens 2013