Capernwray Women's Road Race

 

Sunday 15th June 2008

A round of the British Cycling National Series

Report and Photos from Ian McVety

Leanne Thompson (Lune RCC) 3rd, Joanna Rowsell, (Team Halfords Bikehut) 1st and Katie Colclough (Team Halfords) 2nd.

 

World Champion Joanna Rowsell, (Team Halfords BikeHut) returned to Capernwray in Lancashire after a year of absence from when she came 3rd to take an emphatic victory in the 5th round of the Women’s National Series of road races. Notable absentees from the start sheet were Lizzie Armistead (recovering from surgery) and Sharon Laws, also Team Halfords BikeHut which reduced the potential team domination by the Ladies in orange, but the sheer class of both Rowsell and her team mate Katie Colclough gave the spectators a display of brilliance.

 

The Capernwray circuit is a tough undulating one, with little let up and dominated by one major climb of Sunny Bank just under a mile long. It was on the first ascent of this climb that Rowsell put the hammer down and caused a split in the group for 10 riders to go clear and very soon they had opened a gap of 31 seconds. The group contained most of the main contenders, but not everyone wanted to contribute so early on and so by the time the race had reached the Borwick Road at the end of lap 2 the peloton was together again.

The next time the race had ascended Sunny Bank, Rowsell made another determined effort and only team-mate Katie Coleclough was able to go with her. The winning duo ascended the short Docker Park Farm climb 43 seconds ahead and were now looking very determined. A second group had formed who initially chased, though all in vain. These consisted of Leanne Thompson, (Lune RCC), Ella Sadler-Andrews, (Leisure Lakes), Corrine Hall, (Twickenham CC), Sarah Cramoysan, (Team Swift), Katie Fearnhough, (G.S. Surosa), Loise Eadon, (Seamons C.C.), Kate Calvert and Dani King both (I-Team), Hannah Mayoh, (Longstaff Cycles) and Clare Thomas, (Edinburgh R.C.).

 

Following, were smaller groups of one and two riders, who to their credit persevered with the circuit on what was becoming an increasingly hot day with a rising wind. The third ascent of Sunny Bank saw Rowsell and Colclough crest the climb 1’47” ahead. A few attempts at breaking free from the group were made, notably by Thompson, Thomas and Mayoh, but each time they were thwarted by the remainder of the group.

Rowsell and Colclough now seizing the opportunity pressed on, climbing in very contrasting styles. Rowsell more favoured to standing on the pedals, whilst Colclough remained seated in the shadow of her rangy team-mate. As the race progressed, the two riders consolidated their lead, increasing the gap to 5 minutes by the end of lap 5.

 

Some of the riders who had tried to help chase the two Team Halfords BikeHut duo in the preceding laps were now starting to suffer and a natural process of attrition saw them drift off the back, reducing the size of the chasers. The final climb up Sunny Bank, Joanna Rowsell astonished everyone with the speed at  which she finished the gruelling ascent, putting 30 metres between her and Colclough in a magnificent Team Halfords BikeHut 1-2.

 

The spectators had plenty of time to discuss their choice for third place. A few knowing members of the promoting club; Lune RCC were confident in their rider Leanne Thompson and she proved them right, taking a convincing sprint to Catherine Hare, also Team Halfords BikeHut, and a seasoned international rider. After the race a clearly pleased Joanna commented on her liking for the course.

Coming 3rd to Tanja Slater and Melissa Mather in 2006, the course clearly suited her. Katie Colclough who had not previously ridden the course found it to her liking as well; remarking on how the course found out the strong riders and separated them, rather than in some of the women’s races in which she has competed in, where it was so much more difficult to form breaks.

 

The tactically astute Rowsell explained later how when the initial break had formed -- she quickly noticed how not everyone was contributing to its success, even though it gained a sizeable lead. Preferring to let things come back, she attacked again and when her team-mate Katie Colclough came with her, who better to work with to ensure a Halfords win?

 

Third placed rider Leanne Thompson was understandably relieved to have gained a result on home soil in front of her club mates. Having trained on the circuit over the proceeding weeks it had all paid off. Team Halfords head to Brittany soon for a stage race there and Rowsell has a string of races lined up for the summer culminating hopefully for her, in the Olympic Games in Beijing – Good Luck Jo!

Leanne Thompson (Lune RCC) wins the sprint for 3rd place.

 

Results
1. Joanna Rowsell, Team Halfords Bikehut
2. Katie Colclough, Team Halfords
3. Leanne Thompson, Lune RCC
4. Catherine Hare, Team Halfords
5. Jessica Booth, Halesowen A&CC
6. Clare Thomas, Edinburgh RC
7. Julie Mann, Altura
8. Sarah Reynolds, Team Swift
9. Charlotte Colclough PM
10. Hannah Mayho, Longstaff Cycles

Alex Greenfield leads a small group.