Round 2 winner Hattie Harnden says that she hopes to continue to excel in the HSBC UK | National Trophy as she looks to make her mark internationally this cyclo-cross season.
Harnden claimed victory in the elite women’s category at Westmorland Showground in Milnthorpe, Cumbria, earlier this month, as the domestic season gets into full swing.
The junior national champion believes that the standard of racing in Britain will prove the perfect preparation as she attempts to enhance her burgeoning reputation in Great Britain colours later on in the season.
She says:
“I was super happy with my performance in Westmoreland, as I’d just had my break and time off the bike after world championships. Also, because the standard of women’s cyclo-cross is constantly rising, with so many juniors and under-23 riders on the podium, you have to be at your best to compete with the standard here in Britain.
“This season I hope to qualify for the European and world championships, as well as race a handful of the World Cups. Racing lots throughout the season will really help, especially with the tough competition with have domestically.”
Harnden was also full of praise for the Westmorland course, which was incorporated into the HSBC UK | National Trophy for the first time.
She adds:
“The course was the best course we’ve ever had in the UK, I think. It reminded me of the course in Valkenburg at the 2018 world championships, with all the mud, running and banks - my favourite kind of course!”
The HSBC UK | National Trophy continues with round 3 at Beach Park, Irvine, over the weekend of October 26 and 27.