Storey Racing’s Lucy Gadd took an incredible victory at Sunday’s Witham Hall Junior Road Race after a brilliant breakaway, in her second successive victory in the Junior and Under-23 Women’s National Road Series.
The 20-year-old crossed the line after 81.48km ahead of junior rider Grace Lister of Brother UK-Orientation Marketing, following a nail-biting sprint.
A break of Gadd, Lister and Liv Cycling Club-Halo Film’s Awen Roberts proved too strong on the final lap of the four-lap race, organised by Bourne Wheelers Cycling Club.
The trio got stuck in early on, forming a break in the first lap with Libby Smithson, Eilidh Shaw and Izzy Sharp, but were caught after several attacks from the bunch which put 16 riders off the pace.
Gadd continued to make attacks throughout the race, and almost managed a solo getaway with a great attack out of Witham Village in the second lap, but was unable to make it stick.
Gadd, Roberts and Lister continued to drive the pace and finally got away, gaining a 30 second lead off the bunch, which continued to almost two minutes as the race entered its final stages.
Entering Witham Village for the final time, the trio managed to add another minute on the peloton as they started to eye each other up for the final sprint.
An incredible kick from Gadd ensured she got the win, with Lister taking second and Roberts third.
Emma Jeffers of JRC-INTERFLON Race Team won the bunch sprint to take fourth place.
