Hannah CX report for 19/20 January 2014

ury St Edmunds Saturday 18th January 2014

 

I got a good start off the first row of the grid in the women’s race which started a couple of minutes after the vets and was in third place going into the first corners. The course played to my strengths somewhat with some fast flat sections and some short sharp hills to negotiate. Riding them was crucial and Hannah and wise use of the practice laps helping to establish which lines were best to take. A bit of to-ing and fro-ing took place with my Chelmer CC mate Sherilyn Powell for second place and elbows were even brought out up a steep hill where a floundering vet in front of us forced us to both dismount, much to our dismay, and we both were audibly frustrated by the event! Eventually I managed to pass the Chelmer rider on a draggy incline and established a gap on her which grew as the laps went by.

 

Meanwhile, behind her as the race progressed another regular nemesis and ‘long-game’ player - Jayne Williams of Stowmarket and District was working her way up the field in her usual manner.   Mid-way through the race Jayne passed me and zoomed off into the distance.  However, on the final lap I had a clear run at the hills and obstacles which meant I rode my fastest lap of the race so that by the closing stages I could see Jayne and the race winner Francesca Morgans-Slader of Bike-Pure in the section up ahead as the course switched back on itself.

 

I pushed hard to get up to them in these final stages but the leading vet passed me, indicating that the race would now soon be over. Still, on the final bend Jayne was in sight but the bridge could not be made and Hannah crossed the line seven seconds down. The two girls were cut off from race winner FM-S who was not lapped by the leading vet and so Frankie rode a lap safe in the knowledge that the win was hers.  An exciting race on a great course, where I secured a podium spot of third in the women’s race of 14 and 34^th overall of 72 riders.

 

WGC Sunday 19th Jan 2014

Favouring the ‘high n’ dry’ line on the starting grid, which was on a camber on muddy ground, I ensured I got myself in the optimal position for the start. The riders were set off about two minutes after the vets to avoid any early bottlenecks. The whistle went and the riders charged ahead down the starting straight. I was second into the first corners behind Elanor Cadzow of Bonito Squadra Course. The field had already stretched out behind us and I sat ready on my rival’s wheel, letting her set the pace and watching the lines she took, seeing where time could be made up. In the opening stages of the lap was a tricky off camber section which then took a sharp right and headed up Stanborough’s steep bank. Unable to ride this in the warm up I was really happy to find a workable line during the race which allowed me to ride this section every lap, gaining valuable seconds each time on those who couldn’t. Being pretty hopeless running off the bike, this was now a bit of a game changer for me and a valuable weapon!

 

I followed the leader for a couple of laps and tactics were to stay on the bike and ride the whole course apart from a run up and a jump over a fallen tree which had been incorporated into the course. At the off camber right hander first place seemed to be in a bit of trouble and took a low line which forced her to dismount and run up the hill. I took the opportunity to get in the lead here and rode hard up the hill to establish a gap. Checking behind me I could see my lead was growing but, as in day’s previous, riders on the course sometimes mean you do not have a clear run at hills or obstacles and are forced to slow down or dismount. I got held up a couple of times on a short sharp climb and came off the bike at one point. The chainrings somehow went into the back of my leg at the exit of the muddy bowl feature as I slipped while trying to avoid clipping a vet’s wheel in the apex of the corner. Every now and then I snatched a quick look behind to see  

 

On the last lap I could see that my rival had had a mechanical and was now off the course walking back to the start. In the closing stages of the final lap I allowed myself a quick smile at the run up section where clubmates were on the sidelines cheering us on. It was nearly in the bag. Cyclocross is so changeable though that you can’t take anything as certain so I rode carefully trying not to make any mistakes but still maintain my buffer on the riders behind me. Safely round the last muddy corner I had a last look behind and crossed the line taking the win! 

Unfortunately this win was not enough for me to take the overall league victory but I am happy to have come second in the Central Cross League of 26 women, and first Senior woman behind league winner Christina White of Team Milton Keynes in the Vet category.