Report: Win for Charlotte Berry in British Team Cup Zwift Race

The final British Team Cup race in the Zwift Series took to the London Pretzel course where Charlotte Berry won from Bexy Dew and Gail Robinson

Report: Win for Charlotte Berry in British Team Cup Zwift Race

by Jon Miles: The final British Team Cup race in the Zwift Series took to the London Pretzel course with its ascents of Fox Hill and Box Hill to really hit the legs on the final run in to London. A fast start saw Charlotte Berry, (Pro Noctis) lead the bunch out with Jenny Hill (Army Ladies) close by.

With the first 5 kms covered, the race settled down but still a fast pace for this final race in what has been an exciting series thanks to the fantastic effort by Lisa West of Twickenham CC for getting this Series up and running.

With the race passing past Trafalgar Square out of London, Emma Cadoux-Hudson (Cowley Road Condors) then Zwift sensation Gail Robinson, (TW1) were front of the bunch as they passed Westminster Abbey. With 20 kms covered it was Robinson at her normal position on the front with a noticeably lessened bunch as riders were not able to hold the fast pace that was set . Tackling Fox Hill, Bexy Drew (St Piran) and Charlotte Berry were riding strongly. The bunch stayed together through the rolling course as they gradually came back towards London maintaining a strong pace.

After 50kms covered as the race hit the tough Box Hill, Robinson fastest on the climb and the now reduced lead bunch of three had a 22 second gap to Laura Senior (St Piran). Dashing towards the finish, with major team points on offer, Charlotte Berry crossed the line ahead of Bexy Dew for a fine sprint, Gail Robinson a close 3rd to close a thrilling Zwift Series for the British Team Cup.

However, with a strong team performance, St Piran took the overall team win for this event and also the overall Zwift series and we look forward to seeing how their Zwift performance transitions to racing for real as we excitedly look forward to the first Team Cup Race at Banbury 23rd May.

None of this virtual racing though would have happened without Lisa West. Within a few days of her talking through the plan with Jon Miles to replace the early season races that had to be cancelled due to Covid restrictions, she had it all worked out and continued to put on four exciting Zwift races to give the teams an opportunity to compete against each other before the real racing was due to resume. A remarkable effort and I am sure all who have been involved will give a huge vote of thanks to Lisa.

TEAM RESULT
1. Saint Piran Womens Race Team – 365 points
2. TW1 Racing – 242 points
3. Cowley Road Condors – 234 points
4. Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen – 199 points
5. Army Ladies Road Team – 146 points
6. Will Houghton Race Team – 135 points
7. RFDA – 47 points

INDIVIDUAL RESULT
1. Charlotte Berry – Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen
2. Bexy Dew – Saint Piran Womens Race Team
3. Gail Robinson – TW1 Racing
4. Laura Senior – Saint Piran Womens Race Team
5. Bekki Seal – Saint Piran Womens Race Team
6. Katie Greves – Cowley Road Condors
7. Rebekah Kearney – Will Houghton Race Team
8. Ileia Spyropoulou – Will Houghton Race Team
9. Anastasia Bowler (Stassi) – Cowley Road Condors
10. Emma Cadoux-Hudson – Cowley Road Condors
11. Gabriella Nordin – TW1 Racing
12. Millie Skinner – Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen
13. Sarah Briggs – RFDA
14. Gemma Sargent – Saint Piran Womens Race Team
15. Victoria Strila – TW1 Racing
16. Jenny Gunning – Army Ladies Road Team
17. Helena Coker – Cowley Road Condors
18. Caroline Nottage – Army Ladies Road Team
19. Beccy Graves – Army Ladies Road Team
20. Jenny Hill – Army Ladies Road Team
21. Alexandra Hamilton – TW1 Racing
22. Mairi Brookes – Cowley Road Condors
23. Kate MacLeod – TW1 Racing
24. Shelly Coker – TW1 Racing
25. Sue Chittock – Army Ladies Road Team
26. Kimberley Pickett – Cowley Road Condors