Crit Report: PDQ Race Series #4 (ladies)

Jennifer Lemen the winner of the final round of the PDQ series on July 9 in Bath at the Odd Down Cycling Circuit; Miriam Whitehurst the series winner

Crit Report: PDQ Race Series #4 (ladies)

Event press release: I think Jen Lemen may have been pleased to finally taking a victory, and when better to do it than in the finale of the PDQ Race Series!

After taking the first intermediate sprint, Jen ended up chasing down her rival Louise Hart of FTP Racing in the Sprints Competition who attacked straight after the sprint. These 2 worked together while the bunch were chasing hard behind with Lucy Driver of Bridgwater Cycling Club doing the majority of the work trying to bring them back.

The duo stayed away to contest the next intermediate sprint, Louise Hart had to win that one to draw level on sprint points. Jen again took up the sprint early and held on to take the second prime and finish 4 points clear to take the Sprints Competition and win the Stimulus Sport Green Sprints Winners Jersey.

The 5 laps to go board came out shortly after that sprint and thoughts then turned to the finish, with this duo also tied for 2nd place in the series. They both tried several times to shake off their opponent. Neither could get away so it was looking like they would come together to the finish line. And again, an early sprint from Jen saw her distance Louise Hart who conceded before the line was reached.

The bunch had splintered through the course of the race with only 5 rider left in the bunch to contest the sprint, which was taken by Lucy Driver followed by Claire Ablett of PDQ Cycle Coaching Property Elite. The series leader Miriam Whitehurst of Reflex Racing had had a quiet race, concentrating on protecting her series lead. She did just enough to secure the series win by taking 5th place on the night and winning the series by just 1 point!

I have to say, this was such a tense and exciting finale to the Women’s series. It was exciting to watch it all unfold and really showcased women’s racing and how far it has come at local races. The best 4th cat in the series went to Esther Frawley of PDQ Cycle Coaching Property Elite. The best Over 40’s in the series went to Miriam Whitehurst of reflex Racing.

A huge thank you has to all our volunteers who we cannot run these races without and to our sponsors for donating such fabulous prizes:

– Medals and Trophy donated by Fantastic Finds
– Kit bag to the winner and aero gloves and water bottles for further paced riders donated by AeroCoach Ltd
– Vouchers donated by 73Degreesbicycleshop and Pronto Bikes Ltd
– Coffee donated by Wimborne Coffee Roasters
– Winners and Leader jerseys donated by Stimulus Sport

Race Results Round 4:

1: Jennifer Lemen – PDQ Cycle Coaching Property Elite
2: Louise Hart – Royal Dean Forest CC
3: Lucy Driver – Bridgwater Cycling Club
4: Claire Ablett – PDQ Cycle Coaching Property Elite
5: Miriam Whitehurst – Reflex Racing
6: Alice Connor – London Academy
7: Vivienne Tomlin – FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing
8: Alexandra Palotai-Avella – Poole Wheelers CC
9: Yana Polyak – Velo Club Venta
10: Esther Frawley – PDQ Cycle Coaching Property Elite
11: India Landy – NLTCBMBC
12: Kathryn Thompson – Somer Valley CC
13: Angela Simpson – PDQ Cycle Coaching Property Elite

Series Final Standings:
1: Miriam Whitehurst – Reflex Racing – 72 pts
2: Jennifer Lemen – PDQ Cycle Coaching Property Elite – 71 pts
3: Louise Hart – Royal Dean Forest CC – 70 pts
4: Claire Ablett – PDQ Cycle Coaching Property Elite – 53 pts
5: Alexandra Palotai-Avella – Poole Wheelers CC – 40 pts
6: Ester Frawley – PDQ Cycle Coaching Property Elite – 38 pts
7: Lucy Driver – Bridgwater CC – 38 pts
8: India Landy – NLTCBMBC – 34 pts
9: Vivienne Tomlin – FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing – 31 pts
10: Ashia Reeder – Pronto Bikes – 29 pts

Sprints Competition Final Standings:
1: Jennifer Lemen -28 pts
2: Louise Hart -24 pts