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London Women’s Cycle Racing League Round 1

Sunday 28th March; from Maria David; Photos: Gavin Percy

Sherwell storms to victory from record women’s field in new League opener

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A record field of around 40 riders took the start line at the Surrey League Goodwood races for the opening round of the London Women’s Cycle Racing League, sponsored by Look Mum No Hands. With the first lap of the 2.4-mile circuit being neutralised, this helped to bring the numerous novice riders up to speed, before proper racing action got underway.

While the novice riders were chaperoned around the course, the experienced racers battled it out at the sharp end of the bunch. The front group of racers from Pearson Cycles, Twickenham CC, Kingston Wheelers and others set a high pace which quickly fragmented the field into various chunks. Several women attempted to attack, in particular Rebecca Slack (London Dynamo) Lise Soerensen and Emily Bagnall (both Kingston Wheelers) but the windy conditions wouldn’t allow any successful breakaway.

Throughout the race, Elise Sherwell tussled with Hannah Bowers (Team Mule-Bar Girls/AnaNichoola), notably during the two prime laps which were both won by the Pearsons lady. Meanwhile, the mid-field of the race was still hotly contested for valuable points by the likes of Donna Le Blancq (Velo Sport Jersey), Ann Marshall (South Western RC), Bridget Malarkey (Addiscombe CC) and Liz Rice (London Phoenix).

Coming into the final lap, the front group, now whittled down to 10 riders, still had everything to play for. With help from her Pearson Cycles clubmate Mathilde Pauls, Sherwell was able to launch an intense sprint for the finish line, which proved too strong for Bowers who had been marking the ex-rower during the 28-mile the race. Pauls completed the podium, while Astrid Wingler (London Phoenix) who finished in fifth place, was the highest placed 4th category racer.

Rider Reactions:
Elise Sherwell (Pearson Cycles): "I thoroughly enjoyed my first race of the season. Although the wind was blowing, the rain was not falling, so it was a great day to have a bike race. Lots of people were working hard on the front trying to make breaks happen but because of the wind and various other reasons, these were never really successful. In the end it came down to a sprint and I dug deep to stay ahead! The  next London Women's League race will have all categories so I expect some tougher competition, but I am pretty happy with winning the first ever London Women's League race."

Rebecca Slack (London Dynamo): “It was a massive day for women's cycle racing. I'd particularly like to thank the chaperones today who provided such an important role to the rookie riders. The three London Dynamo racing virgins who took part absolutely loved it.”

The Surrey League organisers and the promoting club, Dulwich Paragon were delighted with how the race went and were very impressed with the quality of the racing.

Round 2 of the Women's League is on April 10th at the East London Velo Spring rumble.

Result

1. Elise Sherwell Pearson Cycles 3W  1:18:00
2. Hannah Bowers Team MuleBar Girls 3W  
3. Mathilde Pauls Pearson Cycles 3W  
4. Emily Bagnall  Kingston Wheelers 3W  
5. Astrid Wingler  London Phoenix 4VW  
6. Lise Soerensen  Kingston Wheelers 3W  
7. Lauren Whitmore London Dynamo 4W
8. Rebecca Slack London Dynamo 3VW  
9. Tina Reid Twickenham CC 4W
10. Vikki Filsell VC de Londres 4VW
11. Jayne Rendall Hannan Twickenham CC 4W
12. Donna Le Blancq Velo Sport Jersey 4W  
13. Sabine Homrighausen  Kingston Wheelers 4W
14. Edie Bassy Abergavenney RC 3W
15. Clare Chambers Twickenham CC 4W
16. Sol Findley Twickenham CC 4W
17. Alexandra Marzec London Phoenix 3W
18. Tamar Vanderhaas Brighton Mitre 4W
19. Claire Summers Dulwich Paragon CC 4W
20. Melissa Brand Pearson Cycles 4W
21. Kyle Lindsey London Dynamo 4W
22. Charlotte Roberge Dulwich Paragon CC 4W
23. Charmaine Brown Pearson Cycles 4W
24. Anna Glowinski Team MuleBar Girls 4W
25. Jessica Mitchell London Dynamo 4W
26. Amy Jacobs VC Jubilee YA
27. Helen Keaton Pearson Cycles 4W
28. Ann Marshall South Western RC 3VW
29. Antonia de Barton Watson London Dynamo 4W
30. Liz Rice London Phoenix 3W
31. Lisa Deefholts Redhill CC 4VW
32. Bridget Malarkey Addiscombe CC 4W
33. Nancy Gibson Rollapaluza CC 4W  
34. Maria Balbi  Redhill CC 4W
35. Francesca Farran-Lee Twickenham CC 4W
36. Joanna Le Cocq Velo Sport Jersey 4W  
37. Lydia Boylan London Dynamo 4W  
dnf Danielle Archer A3CRG 3W