Lifeforce Development Team meet GB Stars

News Posted: 11 March 2008

Source: Lifeforce Development Team

The final race of the Cardiff JIF Lung Openers 4 "LungOpener" series at Maindy Track, Cardiff saw the Lifeforce Development team meet up with Halfords Bikehut team riders Nicole Cooke and Katie Curtis. (The team took time out from their training camp to compete at the Cardiff JIF Lungopener as a warm up before the racing season kicks off.)

BBC Wales were on scene to film the girls' meeting which so vividly illustrated the depth of cycling talent in Wales today.

Nicole and Katie took time out of their busy schedule to offer the girls advice and encouragement on their cycling careers. The Lifeforce girls, Ruby Miller, 15, Hannah Manley, 14, Sarah Crowley,13, Elinor Barker, 13, and Manon Morgans, 14, were thrilled to meet their heroes and took the opportunity to ride a few warm up laps with Katie.

Hannah said "It was great meeting Nicole Cooke as she is such an inspiration and a world class rider, and it was just great to see that she is such a nice person." Hannah recently came second overall at the Revolution Series in Manchester.

Above: Hannah Manley and Ruby Miller talk shop with the Halford Bikehut stars

The meeting clearly inspired Hannah when she rode at Thruxton just two days later. An excited Hannah Manley summed up the days racing:

"The race with 4th cat men and women saw about 10 women in the race and 50-60 in the whole race. The peloton raced along at 40km and it took us an hour. Along the back straight we were flying along with the wind behind us and I was in a tiny gear compared to all the men; and then we turned into the home straight with the wind in our faces going up a gradual incline."

"With one lap to go I started to move up the bunch and towards the first end of the group. Then about half a mile into the lap there was a sudden increase of speed and the group was strung out and there were two definite groups. Towards the end with about 1000m to go we all bunched up and because I am so small I maneuvered my way through the bunch. Then the sprint really opened up as we got to the top of the hill. I just tried to hang on to the men and only one woman finished ahead of me and only 9 men! So I was really pleased!!"

Right: Lifeforce and Revolution starlet Hannah Manley

Ruby Miller, 15, who is the current National Cyclo X Champion, was also thrilled at meeting Nicole and Katie. She said, "Both girls gave us some excellent advice on training and race tactics and were very encouraging - it was great to meet them!"

Above: The BBC film Ruby Miller

Sarah, Manon and Elinor were all equally pleased at meeting the girls and getting the chance to ride the warm up laps with Katie. They all agreed it was an "awesome" experience as Nicole and Katie are real role models in the cycling world.

Nicole and Katie were clearly impressed by the girls. Nicole said, "It was fantastic meeting the girls today - they are all so motivated and determined. It was nice to get the opportunity to encourage and support them."