Report/Result: Women’s Circuit Series 1

Sophie Lankford (Team Jadan Weldtite – Vive le Velo) topped the podium at the first round of the women’s National Circuit Series – the Bristol Crit.

Report/Result: Women’s Circuit Series 1

Sophie Lankford (Team Jadan Weldtite – Vive le Velo) topped the podium at the first round of the women’s National Circuit Series – the Bristol Crit.

Photo: John Pierce of PhotoSport International

This is the first year in which the women’s peloton has had a standalone circuit series, and Lankford ensured that she topped the early series standings by edging out Campinense -Velo Performance duo Elizabeth Bennett and Jo Tindley.

The race began in torrential rain, with the field soon being split across the 1.6km city centre course. As conditions brightened, a lead group of six formed, and that had reduced to three as the race entered its closing laps.

It was Lankford who had the legs to take victory, and afterwards, she said: “It absolutely bucketed it down at the start, and there was so much standing water that you couldn’t really see, and you definitely didn’t want to be behind riders because of the spray. It was crazy, but luckily because it’s quite warm, it dried out and it wasn’t too bad in the end.”

“I knew I could win a sprint, but there I was up against two team-mates who were working together, and I thought they might take me. I just went full gas, thinking if I got beaten, it was fair and square, but when I looked behind me I couldn’t believe that I’d got it.”

Photo: John Pierce of PhotoSport International

The women now move on to the north east, for the Alexandra Tour of the Reservoir (round 4 of the women’s National Road Series) next weekend.

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1 Sophie Lankford Team Jadan Weldtite-Vive le Velo
2 Elizabeth Bennett Campinense – Velo Performance st
3 Jo Tindley Campinense – Velo Performance st
4 Ella Barnwell Liv Cycling Club – Halo Cycles at 00:10
5 Charlotte Berry Campinense – Velo Performance st
6 Jennifer Powell Bianchi Dama at 00:11
7 Charlotte Broughton Liv Awol at 01:36
8 Emily Ashwood Liv Awol st
9 Amy King Team Jadan Weldtite-Vive le Velo st
10 Emma Cockcroft Bianchi Dama st
11 Charlotte Mitchell Team Jadan Weldtite-Vive le Velo st
12 Gina Ricardo Sydney University Staminade st
13 Caitlin Peters Storey Racing st
14 Lauren Johnston Avid Sport st
15 Natasha Reddy Bianchi Dama st
16 Alexandra Sheehan Bianchi Dama st
17 Bexy Dew Army Cycling Union at 01:42
18 Connie Hayes Liv Awol at 01:44
19 Gabriella Homer Cycle Team OnForm at 1 lap
20 Poppy Thompson Team Jadan Weldtite-Vive le Velo at 1 lap
21 Elizabeth Danckert Army Cycling Union at 1 lap
22 Melissa Baker Team Empella Cyclo-Cross.Com at 1 lap
23 Gemma Sargent Team Jadan Weldtite-Vive le Velo at 1 lap
24 Georgina Panchaud Bianchi Dama at 1 lap
25 Cecilia Hime Liv Awol at 3 laps