Laura Trott ensured that the Surf n Turf two-day title remained in her team’s trophy cabinet by winning the 2014 event, round four of the British Cycling Women’s Road Series.

The Wiggle Honda pro followed up team-mate Amy Roberts’ win of 12 months ago with victory in a hotly contested head to head sprint with her closest GC contender, Katie Archibald (Peral Izumi Sportstours International) to complete a hat-trick of wins in the three-stage event.

 

Day one

Laura Trott dominated the opening day of round four of the British Cycling Women’s Road Series, the CDNW Surf ’n’ Turf 2-day, in Preston, Lancashire.

The Wiggle Honda pro carries an 11 second lead into Sunday’s road race stage after wins in both the 1.6km prologue time trial and the 45-minute criterium on day one. Series leader Nicola Juniper finished the day in a solid ninth place on general classification, mindful that many of the riders finishing ahead of her are not contenders in the series overall.

Returning to Preston’s UCLAN Sports Arena after the 2013 event was held in Blackpool, the riders made the most of the warm, dry conditions on the very short 1.6km narrow circuit delivering close, competitive race action which was always compelling to watch.

With so many track pursuit specialists on the start line the prologue was always going to favour one of the Olympians, and Trott didn’t disappoint as she won the TT ahead of her track cohorts Katie Archibald (Pearl Izumi-Sports Tours International) in second while Dani King was fourth. The other step on the podium was filled by British road racing’s fast rising star in every sense of the word, Grace Garner (RST Racing Team), herself no slouch on the boards.

“I like this course,” said Trott after her win, revealing that she is no stranger to its technical demands. “I had a national circuit series race here a while back so I know it. You think you can go flat out and not brake but when you race it, you realise it’s a bit more technical.”

Trott completed the course in 2:05 at an impressive 45.76kmph average. Archibald, who won the prologue 12 months ago, was happy enough in second given that she’d made a couple of technical errors. “Bad line through one corner and started on the hoods not the drops, so not very pro,” she admitted.

Garner was justifiably elated: “That’s the first time I’ve gone up against riders of that standard so I’m really happy,” revealed Garner who, as a first year junior, is riding on restricted gearing.

After a two-hour break it was on to a 45-minute criterium on the same circuit. With 10, five and three second bonuses up for the first three across the line respectively, plus a couple of national series points primes and cash primes, there was plenty of incentive for attacking racing - and the riders didn’t disappoint, putting the hammer down from the gun and dragging the 61-rider train around the circuit in a high speed snake of colour.

With races within races going on, Pearl Izumi-Sports Tours readily admitted to the fact that they were working to get Gabriella Shaw as many points as possible to contest Juniper’s lead in the series overall).

Trott, in the light blue jersey of GC leader, could relax and let her team of King and Elinor Barker police any moves that were likely to occur. Sure enough, King led Trott into the final straight where she delivered the win in a clean, tightly-contested sprint with Archibald, and Garner again finishing impressively in third.

“We’ve looked at the course and the teams and can’t see anyone getting away,” Trott had predicted prior to the afternoon race, and despite several attempts by many teams, which kept the pace high and the race exciting to watch, so it proved.

Velosport Pasta Montegrappa and particularly Matrix Vulpine in the latter stages were all active but in the end the Wiggle Honda trio got a fairly straightforward strategy just right.

“Stay near the front and try to get a good lead-out,” was all Trott would offer of their tactics. King delivered her to the front along the final straight and Trott finished in style.

On Sunday the race concludes with 81km around 13 laps of a tricky road race circuit, and although Trott’s lead on GC gives her some breathing space, time bonuses on the line means it will almost certainly go down to the wire.

Day two

The final stage, an 81km road race near Clitheroe in Lancashire was characterised by a four-rider break which went away at roughly half distance and stayed clear of the main peloton of 20 or so riders, the initial 60-strong field having been decimated by tricky road conditions in the early laps.

The problem was down to farm-vehicle deposited oil on parts of the tight circuit, exacerbated by overnight and early-morning rain. Riders smart and strong enough to be on the front of the group in the early exchanges were easily able to power away from riders still picking their way carefully around the bends, with the result that after just two of 13 laps of the short circuit, there were four separate groups on the road with substantial gaps already existing between them.

All the main contenders for GC were in a front group of 40 or so riders for the first half of the race, notable only for the riders trying to stay upright and avoid the many riders who didn’t, crashing or sliding off-line on the many slippery patches. As the roads dried, conditions improved markedly and the inevitable attacks started to come, firstly from Sarah Storey (Peral Izumi Sportstours International) then by Dani King (Wiggle Honda) and Jo Tindley (Matrix Fitness/Vulpine). Nothing stuck until Laura Trott herself marshaled her two teammates, and launched a powerful surprise attack from the rear of the lead group, which was by now reduced to around 25 riders.

“It was annoying me that the group wouldn’t split, so I decided we had to make it happen,” explained Trott after the race, “we attacked hard on the uphill drag thinking we’d bring a few away but I looked behind and it was just me, Elinor (Barker, Wiggle Honda) and Dani, and that was it.”

Archibald, stuck in mid-pack had to react. “I was riding in the group and all I could hear from the others was, ‘there go the three Wiggles’” said Archibald, “I was thinking ‘well chase them then,’ but they couldn’t close it so I had to get myself out of there and go after them.”

Impressively she did, and rode solo across to the break. For the next 4 laps the pockets of spectators and marshals lining the course were treated to a master class of how to ride in a small break by four of the world’s finest pursuit riders. It was flawless and when the four pushed the time gap out to around two minutes, it clearly wasn’t going to be brought back as not enough riders in the main group were committing to the chase.

With two laps to go the three Wiggle riders had to get rid of Archibald as the time bonuses on the line meant she was still in with a chance of the overall win. King and Barker repeatedly tried the classic attack and counter attack moves that forced Archibald into a chase each time. Amazingly she did, somehow managing to retain enough energy to go for the long sprint to the finish and effectively leading out Trott who just about came round her on the line to secure the GC and a clean sweep of stage victories.

With the first four places in the race and GC secured, Grace Garner (RST Racing Team) won the bunch sprint to secure 5th and first junior on GC while series leader Nicola Juniper rolled in close behind in 7th.

The British Cycling Women’s Road Series continues on the 22 June at the Curlew Cup, a challenging and hilly single day road race in Northumberland.

Results

Final overall

1 Laura Trott Wiggle Honda 03:00:53

2 Katie Archibald Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International 00:00:12

3 Danielle King Wiggle Honda 00:00:23

4 Elinor Barker Wiggle Honda 00:00:31

5 Grace Garner RST Racing Team 00:02:21

6 Lydia Boylan Velosport - Pasta Montegrappa 00:02:27

7 Nicola Juniper Private Member 00:02:28

8 Jo Tindley Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 00:02:29

9 Megan Barker M and D Cycles/Scimitar Sports/ Fusion Sports RT 00:02:29

10 Rebecca Womersley WyndyMilla - Reynolds 00:02:30

11 Emily Nelson Fusion Development Racing Team 00:02:30

12 Elizabeth Malins Fusion RT Gearclub Bike Science 00:02:30

13 Lauren Creamer Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International 00:02:31

14 Abigail Dentus Team De ver 00:02:31

15 Melissa Lowther Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 00:02:31

16 Gabriella Shaw Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International 00:02:32

17 Lucy Shaw Solihull CC 00:02:32

18 Rebecca Rimmington Merlin Cycles 00:02:33

19 Eve Dixon Team 22 00:02:34

20 Jane Barr Velocity 44 Stirling 00:02:34

21 Julie Erskine Velosport - Pasta Montegrappa 00:02:35

22 Abby-Mae Parkinson RST Racing Team 00:02:35

23 Bethany Hayward Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 00:02:36

24 Hannah Payton WyndyMilla - Reynolds 00:02:40

25 Penny Rowson Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 00:04:59

26 Dame Sarah Storey Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International 00:05:21

27 Jessie Walker Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 00:05:26

28 Amy Gornall RST Racing Team 00:13:43

29 Tamiko Butler WyndyMilla - Reynolds 00:13:44

30 Gina Riley Chester RC 00:13:44

31 Louise Borthwick Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 00:13:45

32 Vanessa Whitfield VC St Raphael 00:15:07

33 Ruth Taylor Manchester Whlrs Club 00:15:12

34 Lucy Harper Bike Pure-LeMond-Aspire Velotech 00:18:34

35 Chloe Weller Norwood Paragon CC 00:18:39

36 Anna Marie Hughes Bike Pure-LeMond-Aspire Velotech 00:20:30

37 Laura Cheesman RP Racing Team 00:21:31

38 Jennifer Edwards Team 22 00:25:05

39 Elanor Cadzow Bonito Squadra Corse 00:27:50

40 Alexandra Sheehan Merlin Cycles 00:28:08

41 Hester Stembridge Bike Pure-LeMond-Aspire Velotech 00:29:02

42 Rosemary Homer Newport Shropshire CC 00:29:15

43 Flora Gillies Speg - Project 51 00:29:18

44 Jessica Evans New Brighton CC 00:30:42

Stage two

1 Laura Trott Wiggle Honda 02:07:08

2 Katie Archibald Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International 02:07:08

3 Danielle King Wiggle Honda 02:07:10

4 Elinor Barker Wiggle Honda 02:07:13

5 Grace Garner RST Racing Team 02:09:08

6 Megan Barker M and D Cycles/Scimitar Sports/ Fusion Sports RT 02:09:08

7 Nicola Juniper Private Member 02:09:08

8 Rebecca Womersley WyndyMilla - Reynolds 02:09:08

9 Abigail Dentus Team De ver 02:09:08

10 Lauren Creamer Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International 02:09:08

11 Lucy Shaw Solihull CC 02:09:08

12 Gabriella Shaw Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International 02:09:08

13 Jane Barr Velocity 44 Stirling 02:09:08

14 Lydia Boylan Velosport - Pasta Montegrappa 02:09:08

15 Eve Dixon Team 22 02:09:08

16 Jo Tindley Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 02:09:08

17 Emily Nelson Fusion Development Racing Team 02:09:08

18 Elizabeth Malins Fusion RT Gearclub Bike Science 02:09:08

19 Hannah Payton WyndyMilla - Reynolds 02:09:08

20 Rebecca Rimmington Merlin Cycles 02:09:08

21 Bethany Hayward Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 02:09:08

22 Melissa Lowther Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 02:09:08

23 Julie Erskine Velosport - Pasta Montegrappa 02:09:08

24 Abby-Mae Parkinson RST Racing Team 02:09:08

25 Penny Rowson Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 02:09:26

26 Dame Sarah Storey Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International 02:12:04

27 Jessie Walker Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 02:12:04

28 Tamiko Butler WyndyMilla - Reynolds 02:08:37

29 Lucy Harper Bike Pure-LeMond-Aspire Velotech 02:08:37

30 Chloe Weller Norwood Paragon CC 02:08:37

31 Louise Borthwick Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 02:08:37

32 Amy Gornall RST Racing Team 02:08:37

33 Ruth Taylor Manchester Whlrs Club 02:08:37

34 Gina Riley Chester RC 02:08:37

35 Vanessa Whitfield VC St Raphael 02:08:37

36 Anna Marie Hughes Bike Pure-LeMond-Aspire Velotech 02:15:14

37 Jennifer Edwards Team 22 02:15:14

38 Laura Cheesman RP Racing Team 02:16:17

39 Elanor Cadzow Bonito Squadra Corse 02:18:34

40 Jessica Evans New Brighton CC 02:18:34

41 Hester Stembridge Bike Pure-LeMond-Aspire Velotech 02:18:40

42 Alexandra Sheehan Merlin Cycles 02:18:50

43 Flora Gillies Speg - Project 51 02:07:33

44 Rosemary Homer Newport Shropshire CC 02:08:11

Stage one

1 Laura Trott Wiggle Honda 00:51:50

2 Katie Archibald Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International 00:51:55

3 Grace Garner RST Racing Team 00:51:57

4 Danielle King Wiggle Honda 00:52:00

5 Dame Sarah Storey Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International 00:52:00

6 Elinor Barker Wiggle Honda 00:52:00

7 Lydia Boylan Velosport - Pasta Montegrappa 00:52:00

8 Claire Thomas Velosport - Pasta Montegrappa 00:52:00

9 Nicola Juniper Private Member 00:52:00

10 Jo Tindley Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 00:52:00

11 Megan Barker M and D Cycles/Scimitar Sports/ Fusion Sports RT 00:52:00

12 Rebecca Womersley WyndyMilla - Reynolds 00:52:00

13 Emily Nelson Fusion Development Racing Team 00:52:00

14 Elizabeth Malins Fusion RT Gearclub Bike Science 00:52:00

15 Jessie Walker Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 00:52:00

16 Lauren Creamer Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International 00:52:00

17 Abigail Dentus Team De ver 00:52:00

18 Melissa Lowther Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 00:52:00

19 Gabriella Shaw Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International 00:52:00

20 Lucy Shaw Solihull CC 00:52:00

21 Rebecca Rimmington Merlin Cycles 00:52:00

22 Amy Gornall RST Racing Team 00:52:00

23 Eve Dixon Team 22 00:52:00

24 Tamiko Butler WyndyMilla - Reynolds 00:52:00

25 Sophie Faulkner Fusion RT Gearclub Bike Science 00:52:00

26 Gina Riley Chester RC 00:52:00

27 Jane Barr Velocity 44 Stirling 00:52:00

28 Julie Erskine Velosport - Pasta Montegrappa 00:52:00

29 Louise Borthwick Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 00:52:00

30 Abby-Mae Parkinson RST Racing Team 00:52:00

31 Mary Costelloe WyndyMilla - Reynolds 00:52:00

32 Bethany Hayward Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 00:52:00

33 Jasmine Dotti Velosport - Pasta Montegrappa 00:52:00

34 Bethany Taylor Fusion Development Racing Team 00:52:00

35 Paige Milward Bike Pure-LeMond-Aspire Velotech 00:52:00

36 Hannah Payton WyndyMilla - Reynolds 00:52:00

37 Laura Cheesman RP Racing Team 00:52:00

38 Anna Marie Hughes Bike Pure-LeMond-Aspire Velotech 00:52:00

39 Vanessa Whitfield VC St Raphael 00:53:22

40 Ruth Taylor Manchester Whlrs Club 00:53:22

43 Nikola Butler VC St Raphael 00:54:00

41 Chloe Fraser Deeside Thistle CC 00:54:04

42 Laura Wasley Fusion RT Gearclub Bike Science 00:54:04

44 Penny Rowson Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 00:54:04

45 Natasha Morrison MG Decor 00:54:07

46 Gillian Taylor Fusion RT Gearclub Bike Science 00:54:46

47 Adele Martin VC St Raphael 00:56:03

48 Elanor Cadzow Bonito Squadra Corse 00:56:03

49 Alexandra Sheehan Merlin Cycles 00:56:03

50 Rosemary Homer Newport Shropshire CC 00:56:03

51 Jennifer Edwards Team 22 00:56:47

52 Lucy Harper Bike Pure-LeMond-Aspire Velotech 00:56:47

53 Flora Gillies Speg - Project 51 00:56:47

54 Chloe Weller Norwood Paragon CC 00:56:47

55 Hester Stembridge Bike Pure-LeMond-Aspire Velotech 00:57:04

56 Rachel Murray VC St Raphael 00:57:18

57 Lauren Brown Team Jadan 00:57:37

58 Jessica Evans New Brighton CC 00:58:51

Prologue time-trial

1 Laura Trott Wiggle Honda 00:02:05

2 Katie Archibald Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International 00:02:07

3 Grace Garner RST Racing Team 00:02:09

4 Danielle King Wiggle Honda 00:02:09

5 Dame Sarah Storey Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International 00:02:10

6 Elinor Barker Wiggle Honda 00:02:11

7 Lydia Boylan Velosport - Pasta Montegrappa 00:02:12

8 Claire Thomas Velosport - Pasta Montegrappa 00:02:13

9 Nicola Juniper Private Member 00:02:13

10 Jo Tindley Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 00:02:14

11 Megan Barker M and D Cycles/Scimitar Sports/ Fusion Sports RT 00:02:14

12 Rebecca Womersley WyndyMilla - Reynolds 00:02:15

13 Emily Nelson Fusion Development Racing Team 00:02:15

14 Elizabeth Malins Fusion RT Gearclub Bike Science 00:02:15

15 Jessie Walker Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 00:02:15

16 Lauren Creamer Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International 00:02:16

17 Abigail Dentus Team De ver 00:02:16

18 Melissa Lowther Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 00:02:16

41 Chloe Fraser Deeside Thistle CC 00:02:16

51 Jennifer Edwards Team 22 00:02:16

19 Gabriella Shaw Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International 00:02:17

20 Lucy Shaw Solihull CC 00:02:17

21 Rebecca Rimmington Merlin Cycles 00:02:18

22 Amy Gornall RST Racing Team 00:02:18

46 Gillian Taylor Fusion RT Gearclub Bike Science 00:02:18

59 Laura Greenhalgh Twickenham CC 00:02:18

23 Eve Dixon Team 22 00:02:19

24 Tamiko Butler WyndyMilla - Reynolds 00:02:19

25 Sophie Faulkner Fusion RT Gearclub Bike Science 00:02:19

26 Gina Riley Chester RC 00:02:19

27 Jane Barr Velocity 44 Stirling 00:02:19

56 Rachel Murray VC St Raphael 00:02:19

28 Julie Erskine Velosport - Pasta Montegrappa 00:02:20

29 Louise Borthwick Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 00:02:20

30 Abby-Mae Parkinson RST Racing Team 00:02:20

39 Vanessa Whitfield VC St Raphael 00:02:20

42 Laura Wasley Fusion RT Gearclub Bike Science 00:02:20

31 Mary Costelloe WyndyMilla - Reynolds 00:02:21

32 Bethany Hayward Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 00:02:21

33 Jasmine Dotti Velosport - Pasta Montegrappa 00:02:21

44 Penny Rowson Matrix Fitness - Vulpine 00:02:22

45 Natasha Morrison MG Decor 00:02:22

52 Lucy Harper Bike Pure-LeMond-Aspire Velotech 00:02:22

34 Bethany Taylor Fusion Development Racing Team 00:02:23

35 Paige Milward Bike Pure-LeMond-Aspire Velotech 00:02:24

43 Nikola Butler VC St Raphael 00:02:24

47 Adele Martin VC St Raphael 00:02:24

36 Hannah Payton WyndyMilla - Reynolds 00:02:25

40 Ruth Taylor Manchester Whlrs Club 00:02:25

48 Elanor Cadzow Bonito Squadra Corse 00:02:25

53 Flora Gillies Speg - Project 51 00:02:25

60 Keira McVitty WyndyMilla - Reynolds 00:02:25

37 Laura Cheesman RP Racing Team 00:02:26

49 Alexandra Sheehan Merlin Cycles 00:02:27

54 Chloe Weller Norwood Paragon CC 00:02:27

38 Anna Marie Hughes Bike Pure-LeMond-Aspire Velotech 00:02:28

50 Rosemary Homer Newport Shropshire CC 00:02:28

61 Nicola Meadows VC St Raphael 00:02:28

57 Lauren Brown Team Jadan 00:02:29

58 Jessica Evans New Brighton CC 00:02:29

55 Hester Stembridge Bike Pure-LeMond-Aspire Velotech 00:02:30