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Hannah Barnes took her second victory in a week in the Johnson Health Tech Grand Prix Series to open up a 14-point lead at the top of the standings following the Redditch event.
The MG Maxifuel rider continues to also lead the sprints competition, with her squad jumping from third to first in the team standings, ten points in front of defending champions Matrix Fitness Race Academy.
Barnes sprinted to victory from a group of around 15 riders who had stayed at the front throughout the 40-minute race on the tough Worcestershire circuit.
A late addition to the Johnson Health Tech Grand Prix Series calendar, Redditch proved a hit with spectators with thousands turning out under sunny skies to see the first ever women’s race at the town’s Pearl Izumi Tour Series event.
Active throughout was Team Hope Factory Racing’s Adela Carter, who grabbed both sprints on the evening and was rewarded with the combativity prize for her attacking riding. The two sprint wins weren’t enough to overhaul Barnes in the standings, with the MG Maxifuel rider watchful throughout to mark any threatening moves.
Several times riders tried to go clear, but on each they were brought back with no one team able to fire any riders up the road from the front bunch.
Come the final lap and it was Barnes who leapt clear, round the final to win by several lengths from Abergavenny Road Club’s Laura Massey, who equalled her best ever Johnson Health Tech GP Series result.
Charline Joiner’s third and Karla Boddy’s sixth helped MG Maxifuel take the team win on the night and into the overall standings lead, with Matrix Fitness Race Academy nipping at their heals with fifth, seventh and eighth on the night thanks to Hannah Walker, Gabby Day and Jessie Walker, all of whom were involved in the action at the front.
Round one winner Natalie Creswick finished 14th for Team MuleBar Girl – Sigma Sport, to keep the squad in the running for team honours, but dropping back to fourth individually.
Behind Barnes Louise Mahe is joint second with Gabby Day, before a trio of riders on 39 points also within striking range of the Johnson Health Tech white jersey.
Highlights of the Redditch race will be shown as a part of The Pearl Izumi Tour Series highlights programme on ITV4 at 10pm on Wednesday 5 June. Round Four of the Johnson Health Tech Grand Prix Series takes place at Woking on Tuesday 11 June.
Results
Round three Redditch, individual result
1. Hannah Barnes, GBR, MG Maxifuel
2. Laura Massey, GBR, Abergavenny Road Club
3. Charline Joiner, GBR, MG Maxifuel
4. Adela Carter, GBR, Team Hope Factory Racing
5. Hannah Walker, GBR, Matrix Fitness Race Academy
Round three Redditch team winner: MG Maxifuel
Round three Redditch combativity winner: Adela Carter, GBR, Team Hope Factory Racing
Round three Redditch sprints winner: Adela Carter, GBR, Team Hope Factory Racing
Individual standings, post-round three
1. Hannah Barnes, GBR, MG Maxifuel, 59pts
2. Louise Mahe, GBR, Team MuleBar Girl - Sigma Sport, 45pts
3. Gabby Day, GBR, Matrix Fitness Race Academy, 45pts
Team standings, post-round three
1. MG Maxifuel, 138pts
2. Matrix Fitness Race Academy, 128pts
3. Team MuleBar Girl - Sigma Sport, 116pts
Sprint standings, post-round three
1. Hannah Barnes, GBR, MG Maxifuel, 27pts
2. Louise Mahe, GBR, Team MuleBar Girl - Sigma Sport, 13pts
3. Adela Carter, GBR, Team Hope Factory Racing, 10pts
