Report: Tameside Season Starters Race 3

Look Mum No Hands rider Alice Miller with an excellent report on the Women’s race at Tameside in Manchester on Sunday

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The final in this women’s set!

Alice writes … The day the clocks go back = a nasty early morning start for work – I had what felt like a 4.30 am start today! But the money got earned and it was soon time to drive over to Manchester.

Maxgear were mostly absent (I believe on a team training camp) which left a field of eighteen, mostly individuals, at the start line this morning.

Despite somehow managing to position myself right on the line (front of race), the race began rapidly and I am far to quick to give up my position, so almost immediately slipped halfway down the field. Although the race began quick and a few solid solo breaks went out, they were soon brought back by the bunch.

At one point, a break formed as the bunch split from the high speed pressure being applied at the front. This looked like a solid break and had some strong riders in it, so I was keen to get with it. Unfortunately, after killing myself to catch the front group, it became obvious people weren’t too keen to work together to keep ahead of the second group, and the bunch was all back together again very shortly.

Unlike the previous races, the pace was possibly slower, with some very sedate sections. This was a bit nervy, and served to build suspense for when the next move might occur, but allowed for a nice breather every now and again.

The final laps were very slow. Somehow I ended up on the front whilst everyone was conserving energy for the final sprint. I slightly miscalculated the remaining laps and was happy to stay on front as I planned to attempt an early break for the line. But there were more laps than I expected and I missed the moment when everyone accelerated so I was soon much further down the bunch than was optimum.

A last effort to move up the bunch was reasonably succesful, but I was still barely within the front ten riders. Then, in the last bend, a nasty crash took two girls out and gave the remainder of the bunch a flying obstacle to avoid. The front three girls were far away but I aimed for Adela (Hope Factory Racing) and sprinted to come in for fifth position.

I am now one point away from becoming a third cat rider, but more importantly, I have had a great experience at these races and learnt lots. There are still many things to be worked on, but its the end of a four week training block and next week is set to be a lovely sunny rest week.

A huge thanks goes to Jenny Gretton who organised the Tameside races and was completely lovely all round.

Women
1. Louise Borthwick, Edinburgh RC
2. Rebecca Heath, VC St Raphael
3. Hannah Leyland, VC St Raphael
4. Adele Carter, Hope Factory Racing
5. Alice Miller, Look Mum No Hands
6. Nicky Shaw, Dinnington RC
7. Nikola Butler, Vivelo Bikes-Inverse Cyclaim RT
8. Liz Waterhouse, University of Manchester
9. Phoebe Snedden, Mulebar Girls
10. Catherine Wiggins, Liverpool Mercury CC

Category 4
1. Adam Blakeley, Pendle Forest CC
2. David Morris, Harrogate Nova CC
3. Michael Page, RAF CC
4. Lee Brown, Holme Valley Wheelers
5. Jonathan Caldwell, BC PM
6. Nick Guest, Slipstream RT
7. Will Glover, Sheffrec CC
8. Jonathan Dicks, Liverpool Century CC
9. Kevin McCann, Liverpool Century CC
10. Matthew Hacker, North Cheshire Clarion

VIDEO FROM SIMON WINSTON

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