Elite racer and Sherwood course deigner...Kate Potter is a woman of many talents! Photo thanks to Lucke Webber
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“The biggest and strongest women's field the British Mountain Bike Series
has ever seen” is how organiser Martyn Salt describes the international
entry so far for round two of the Freerange Sports Optics XC, this weekend
at Sherwood Pines. The lure of big UCI points has been enough to entice two
riders who are top ten in the world, along with the best UK talent making up
over 100 female racers for the weekend.
Race favourite will be Kiwi Rosara Joseph who, after finishing 15th at the
first World Cup is sure to be chasing her first UK win after getting pipped
in Round One. America's Mary McConneloug will however be hoping to change
that; ranked fifth in the world it will be interesting to see if a flat race
at low altitude will suit.
Representing the Euro's will be Slovakian Janka Stevkova, who at UCI rank 21
will be a good outside bet to spoil the party.
Aussie Kate Potter will be hoping for a podium on the course she designed,
while Jenn O'Connor (New Zealand) is sure to be in contention.
Heading up the battle on the home front will be round one winner and rising
star Amy Hunt. After coming back to the mountain bike fold Amy has had some
exceptional performances and this weekend will be hoping to thwart the
foreign contingent once more.
Our other big hope comes in the form of national champion of everything,
Jenny Copnall. After a steady start to the season Jenny is ramping things up
with a better performance at the first World Cup and her eye on a place at
the World Champs later this year.
Alongside Amy and Jenny there are several other strong riders, including
Sophie Johnson, Liz Scalia, Tarja Owens and Ruth McGavigan - all will be
aiming for the podium on a course that promotes such close racing!
There really has never been a better race on English soil so come and see
how the fastest ladies on two wheels do, this Saturday, Sherwood Pines. The
Elite gun goes at 12noon, with racing and entertainment throughout the day -
full details on www.xcracer.com
Laurnix
