Women's Team Road Race Series

Sprint for 2nd place

Amy Hunt of Impsport Composite A team, rode away from the rest of the main bunch in the final few hundred metres , at the end of a generally fast paced Women's Team Race Series held on the Ettington circuit near Stratford upon Avon; Melissa Mather led her Team Luciano - Everest collegues to another Team win.

Excellent organisation by Steve Faulkner and the Stratford CC, the heat of the previous week was missing as a breeze brooke out across the country; a kind way of describing the ciruit is 'undulating' with the 2 hills at Kineton proving to be tough for the less fit.

After 18 miles Jackie Bull (Fat Birds) unshipped her chain but was able to get back on after a chase; 21 miles covered and Lisa Parsons (Welland Valley CC) attacked as the race passed through Pillerton Priors but she was caught. 26 miles and Charlotte Blackman (London Dynamo) and Elizabeth Clayton (East Midlands) got back to the bunch having been dropped earlier on the 2 hills, excellent riding and spirit.

A mile later and it was Welland's Lisa Parsons who attacked again but the bunch was too large to let her gain any significant distance although she hung out there for 2 miles. 40 miles covered and the race was lined out through the forest as Hannah Bussey, Melissa Mather - Team Luciano with Jill Postlethwaite - Welland Valley CC attcked just being held yards in front of the bunch but again, it was doomed to failure. 45 miles and there was a tangle of wheels in the bunch with Carrie Beddingfield - Team Luciano and Suzie Scorer - Twickenham CC able to get up quickly and rejoin the race.

Still the attacks went and the one at 45 miles might just have been THE one, in the race headquarters later a rider said that just one more attack then and no-one could have responded, riders were taking deep breaths.

Jen Caldicott ( race number 13!) punctured with 56 miles covered but a smart change by Steve Wright, and after a hard chase for 3 miles, she was able to get back to the race.

6 miles to the finish and a hard attack by Katie Colclough (Fat Birds) with Jill Postlethwaite looked as if it might just stay the distance but the sprinters were not having that and they were gradually brought back.

Amy Hunt takes the win

Into the final uphill finish and it was going to be strength that decided the outcome as the large group of riders headed for the line - Amy Hunt leaving the rest to score a fine lone win, to be followed by Mather and Jessica Allen - Pinarello RT taking the places.

Lauren Davies (Agiskoviner) to the Third Category prize, Natasha Scrivens also of Agiskoviner the 4th Category prize; The Sprint prime was taken by Diane Moss (Team Luciano) with team mate Hannan Bussey the Hill Prime.

Results