Cheshire Classic Women’s Road Race

 

Round 1 of British Cycling’s National Road and Circuit Series
Sunday 27th April 2008; Promoted by Weaver Valley Cycling Club.
Report and images:  Andrew Kennedy for British Cycling

Above: Team Halfords nearly managed total dominance at the Cheshire Classic.

 

Note: A new gallery of images has been added -- Gallery 2 -- of the road race. Prints of these photographs can be ordered from the photographer. See the gallery for contact details.

 

The National Women’s Road and Circuit series got under way this weekend with a two stage race based around the village of Weaverham in Cheshire. The start sheet promised cycling legend Nicole Cooke would be leading her new Halfords Team in the 3km morning time trial, followed with a strong Halfords line-up of nine riders for the 80km road stage.

Above: Cold and wet conditions greeted the Women at the 2 stage Cheshire Classic

 

With the sign-on closed just after 8am the assembled girls breathed a sigh of relief to discover Nicole Cooke and team mate Lizzie Armitstead had failed to show. Organiser Dave McKay was unable to give a reason for the missing star but with a ride in Fleche-Wallone last week and a heavy spring classic schedule Cooke could be forgiven for sitting this one out.

 

First lady off in the TT Victoria Ware (Keswick Bikes) rode through the village of Weaverham encountering disappointing early summer weather of driving rain and a cold temperature just above 10c.  The wet conditions were the same for all the riders and the 3km time trial was a good warm-up if a little damp, 43 starters safely completed the circuit.

 

Timekeeper Steve Thomas put his computer skills to good use and within minutes of the finish he had a full result spreadsheet displayed in the Race HQ.

 

The anticipated dominance of Team Halfords was dealt a severe blow when VC St Raphael rider Sarah Storey posted a time of 04.52 for the 1st stage, 8 seconds faster than joint 2nd placed riders Sharon Laws and Emma Trott (Halfords). With only 3 seconds separating the next three riders Joanna Rowsell (Halfords), Jessica Allen (Halfords) and Helen Clayton (CC Giro).

 

Above: Sarah Storey (VC St Raphael) gained an 8 second advantage in the 1st stage time-trial

 

Later in the morning the riders switched to road bikes and headed back out into the bleak weather. The temperature had risen slightly but the rain was constant. The 80km road stage featured a long drag up and down the A49 main road and then a short but severe climb of Acton Lane through the finish area. With 10 laps of Acton Lane to look forward to the early pace was quite steady. Emma Trott (Halfords) decided to test the legs of the other and took off on the 2nd climb of the day. With the remainder of her team moving to the front of the bunch, Trott soon had a lead of about 45 seconds.

 

Above: Emma Trott (Halfords) had a brave attempt brought back by her own team mates

 

The Halfords riders may have had the numbers to try and control the race but they had trouble holding back Gabby Day and Alice Monger-Godfrey of the Swift Racing Team. Gabby Day was a constant presence at the head of the bunch and her low final overall position was not a fair record of her efforts throughout the day.

 

Above: Gabby Day (Swift Racing Team) and Helen Clayton (CC Giro) are surrounded by Halfords riders on the climb of Acton Lane

 

With Emma Trott reeled in by the constant attacking of her own team it was time for Sharon Laws (Halfords) to try her luck. Laws easily rode off the front of the bunch and gained a gap of 20 seconds. Reaction came from Jessica Allen (Halfords) and Gabby Day (Swift Racing Team) who both crossed the gap to Laws. As the small break started to climb the strength sapping drag of the A49 Day had been dropped from the leading group. The Halfords duo of Laws and Allen knew they were in a good position and worked together to increase their lead.

Above: Jessica Allen and Sharon Laws (Halfords) begin their race winning break

 

Halfords team mates Emma Trott and Joanna Rowsell moved to the front of the bunch and controlled the pace allowing Laws and Allen to increase their lead to a maximum of 2 mins 50 secs.

 

Above: World Champion Joanna Rowsell (Halfords) rode for her team mates and controlled the bunch

 

As the bunch climbed through the finish area on Acton Lane with 2 laps to go Sarah Storey (VC St Raphael) and Emma Trott (Halfords) had gained a small lead on the bunch. It was clear that Laws and Allen wouldn’t be caught and the chasers were racing for 3rd place. The depleted bunch was led up the climb by Annie Simpson (Team Chance) with the harsh conditions beginning to take their toll on the riders.

 

Above: Jessica Allen shows the effort on her face as she climbs Acton Lane

 

At the bell Laws and Allen rode side by side as they climbed the full length of Acton Lane for the final time. They knew they had the win in the bag for the team and it was down to who had the strength and experience to snatch the win from the other. Storey and Trott were now only 1.05 behind and Storey shouted to her roadside helpers she’d left it too late to pull them back.

 

Above: Sharon Laws on the bell lap as she leads the race with Allen

 

Above: Sarah Storey climbs Acton Lane, but knows her chance of overall victory has gone

 

On the approach to the finish line it was seasoned road rider Sharon Laws who appeared at the foot of the climb first. Jessica Allen was valiantly trying to hold her wheel but Laws kept the pressure on as she approached the line. Totally spent of energy Laws crossed the line and came to a sudden stop. She waited the few seconds to congratulate her young team mate on a superb race.

 

Above: Winner Sharon Laws congratulates her young team mate on a great ride

 

Emma Trott completed the 1,2,3 for Halfords in the road stage with a strong final climb, leaving Sarah Storey to take 4th place.

 

Total domination by Halfords was avoided in the general classification, the strong ride by Storey in the time trial ensured she took 3rd place overall pushing Emma Trott into 4th place.

 

British Cycling briefly spoke to Sharon Laws on the finish line and asked if the race had gone to plan? "Well we were trying out some team tactics suggested by our coach Julian, personally I thought it was a bit early to attack but it worked out well, when Jess Allen came up to me we just worked together, it went really well and we stayed away until the finish. I've been in Australia for the past 18 months I'm back home now and enjoying the racing. Last week I rode the Fleche-Wallone my next race is the BC series race at Olveston, then we are going to France for a 10 day stage race.

 

We asked where her team leader Nicole Cooke was today, "Nicole is preparing for a time trial which she has in about 5 days time, and I think she's riding a Gran Fondo today"

 

The standard of Womens Road Racing has rocketed over the last couple of years and the Women's Road and Circuit Series promises to be an exciting competition this summer. The Halfords girls worked extremely hard to control the racing today and had great success. With Nicole Cooke on the start sheet for this race it promised to be fast and exciting, but with the standard improving so rapidly Nicole might be in for a shock when she lines up at the Nationals.

RESULTS

Final Overall
1. Sharon Laws, Team Halfords/Bikehut
2. Jessica Allen, Team Halfords/Bikehut
3. Sarah Storey, VC ST Raphael
4. Emma Trott, Team Halfords Bikehut
5. Jo Rowsell, Team Halfords Bikehut
6. Helen Clayton, CC Giro
7. Charlotte Blackman, London Dynamo
8. Rachel Osbourne, Newport Shropshire
9. Sarah Cramoysan, Team Swift
9. Lucy Martin, Dolan RT

 

STAGE 1
1. Sarah Storey, VC ST Raphael
2. Sharon Laws, Team Halfords
2. Emma Trott, Team Halfords Bikehut

STAGE 2
1. Sharon Laws, Team Halfords
2. Jessica Allen, Team Halfords/Bikehut
3. Emma Trott, Team Halfords Bikehut
4. Sarah Storey, VC ST Raphael