Rebecca Durrell returns to the Chestnut Homes Lincoln Grand Prix this weekend, looking to add yet another podium finish to her impressive record at her home event.
Durrell has recorded two top-three results at the race in the last three years, including winning in the colours of Storey Racing last year.
Now riding for the newly-formed Brother-UK Tifosi p/b On Form, the 30-year-old will take to the start line this weekend looking to once again feed off the race-day atmosphere on the streets she knows well.
“Lincoln is a tough course with a great atmosphere,” she says. “Castle Square has a unique buzz about it on race day, and the crowds on Michaelgate help you push through the pain! It’s also a technical course with a punchy, cobbled climb, which means it’s not only a race of physical strength, but one of tactical judgement too.”
Following a second-place finish in 2016, the 2018 event saw Durrell involved at the front of the race from the start, before she established a lead on the final of the eight Michaelgate climbs and took the victory in front of her home crowd, ahead of now-team-mate, Anna Henderson.
“The pressure is on now to defend the title!” Durrell continues. “But I enjoy the pressure and it’s good to return with the confidence of previous results, and having friends and family there to share and enjoy the day is one of the most rewarding parts of it.”
Along with reigning national circuit race champion Henderson, Durrell calls the likes of Abbie Dentus, Emily Wadsworth and Gaby Shaw team-mates this season, and the team got off to a sensational start at round 1 – the East Cleveland Klondike – with Henderson registering the win and Leah Dixon, Durrell and Jessica Finney claiming third, fourth and fifth respectively.
Durrell is expecting that strong showing to be replicated across the series.
She adds: “As a team, we are aiming to win the team category of the HSBC UK | National Road Series, and also to make an impression in the UCI races we’ll be competing in this season. Individually, I am aiming to perform consistently on both the national and UCI stage.”
