Top 20's, 10's second cat and Track Nationals

Me and Mel after a muddy crit in Buith Wells

I’ve been meaning to write a blog for quite some time, although it has been put to once side as I have been totally absorbed in my preparation for the National Hill Climb Championships.

I started performing better after a break in racing around June, after a few DNF’s, with a top 15 at Naseby – providing the boost in confidence I needed. A couple of weeks later, I travelled to Wales with Mel and her family to the Auchterloine Memorial stage race in Wales, which consisted of a time trial, rather muddy criterium and road race. I was dreading the crit, as it was round the Welsh Royal show ground, it was raining hard and there was a lot of mud and standing water. Once I got racing I absolutely loved it – probably the most fun race I’ve done all year! The main field was quickly whittled down to about 15 riders. After a crash split the main group, I found myself in the second group but recognising the other riders weaknesses managed to break away from them finishing 11th – my best result yet.
The second day I almost got dropped on a steep descent on the first lap (didn’t make that mistake twice). I went for a long one with 1km to go, but it wasn’t to be and finished mid bunch. With consistent results I finished 8th on the GC! Absolutely brilliant circuits to race on – will definitely be going back next year.

Following this I raced some crits at Tameside, getting a top ten in one of the mens races and also at Darley Moor Women’s Team Series. I would have liked to be in the break at Darley Moor but guest team mate Jo Smith got there first! I worked to control the bunch to allow them to get away, as Jo is a top class sprinter and I knew she wouldn’t let us down and she didn’t, finishing a close 2nd to none other than Lucy Garner soon to be double Junior World Road Race Champion! I look forward to having Jo guest for us again in the future!

I also made some progress in city centre criteriums at the Newport Nocturne, despite starting at the back due to being gridded base on category I was still in the main bunch on the final lap (containing about 25/60 starters) – something which I have never done before.

Not long after I also earned my 2nd Cat licence – a move up 2 categories in one year!

Track nationals were next on the list. I’d never competed in the National Track Championships before, so I was just riding for experience (aiming to peak for the hill climb rather than the track nationals). I didn’t have any problems keeping up whatsoever, although rode rather conservatively. Wish I had done a bit more in the points race, but came 10th in the scratch race which concluded in a sprint finish – total surprise, as I’m not the best of sprinters. All good progress ready for the hill climbs...