- Published: 16 December 2019
- Images: Huw Williams/Andy Whitehouse
- Written by: Ben Goddard
Welsh women round out a very successful Cyclo-Cross season at the final round in York in some very challenging conditions.
Under-23 rider Harnden showcased her technical ability once again on a York course which she thrived on.
The T-MO Racing rider, from Malvern, showed her mountain bike skills to gap her rivals on the opening off-camber technical section on the first lap.
Harnden then powered through the mud to grow out a gap of 50 seconds after the opening lap which kept growing throughout the event.
Fresh from a spell of racing on the continent Crumpton powered away for second place while James took third.
James’ third place was enough to take the overall series title off the shoulders of local rider Sophie Thackray (Scott Racing).
However, Thackray’s seventh place was enough to secure the under-23 overall series victory.
A sixth place finish for under-23 rider Katie Scott (Garden Shed UK-Scott) saw her take third overall and second under-23 in the series.
Winning junior rider Josie Nelson (RST/Cycle Division RT) was amongst the podium places in the senior riders before falling away for a fine fourth place on the day.
Second junior was Maddie Wadsworth (Beeline Bicycles RT) while Lotta Mansfield (RST/Cycle Division RT) took third.
Despite leading the overall series going into the final round an absent Anna Flynn (Edinburgh RC) was pushed down into third as Nelson clinch the victory and Mansfield second.
“It was great to be back and it was very similar conditions to last year,” said Harnden.
“It was cool that they did the course kind of the other way around, so it was very different and I’m looking forward to hopefully coming again.
“I like the mud and technical aspect and I’m getting into my running as well so I thought that was a good bit for me.”
Meanwhile James took the overall title on the final round, she said: “I’m super happy and have came really close over the last few years. Last year and the year before it came down to the final round, so to get it this year feels really good.
“I always want to win a race, I can’t help it I’m competitive so it was all out for the win if I could do.
“You had to ride your own race and it was really tough, the time gaps were big and you just had to pace it.
“Hattie (Harnden) went from the start and she was absolutely flying. I got into second and tried to go for her, but she was just gone.
Women’s race result
1 Harriet Harnden (T-MO Racing)
2 Beth Crumpton (Tarteletto- Isorex)
3 Ffion James (Hope Factory Racing)
Overall senior women
1 Ffion James (Hope Factory Racing)
2 Sophie Thackray (Scott Racing)
3 Katie Scott (Garden Shed UK-Scott)
Under-23 race result
1 Harriet Harnden (T-MO Racing)
2 Katie Scott (Garden Shed UK-Scott)
3 Sophie Thackray (Scott Racing)
Overall under-23
1 Sophie Thackray (Scott Racing)
2 Katie Scott (Garden Shed UK-Scott)
3 Harriet Harnden (T-MO Racing)
It was business as usual in the under-16 age category as the only thing noticeable about Zoe Backstedt’s (Storey Racing) fifth straight win was the apparent ease with which she completed it.
She needed less than half-a-lap to open a gap which kept growing to the line for a convincing win and she never looked under threat.
As in previous rounds, Backstedt’s Welsh compatriot Ella Maclean Howell (Cardiff Jif) took second with Niamh Murphy (Pedalon CC) continuing to show that she is a fast-emerging talent taking her second straight National Trophy series podium in third.
A brilliant display of technical bike handling at the head of the race saw East Bradford RT’s Florence Greenhalgh floating over the boggy terrain, staying poised and balanced where others were rolling around in the mud to take a maiden National Trophy win, ahead of Lucy Wollaston (VC Londres) who also took second in the series overall and another emerging talent, Imogen Wolff (Holmfirth Cycling Club) in third.
