Omloop Van Strijen, 17 March 2012 | Report: Matt Winston | Event Website:
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Lucy Garner made a successful return to Road Racing, claiming an impressive second place in the Omloop Van Strijen, a 52km Dutch junior women’s race, where she came up against some top continental opposition.
The Olympic Development Programme team for the event was Lucy Garner, Amy Roberts, Elinor Barker, Emily Kay, Jessie Walker and Hannah Layland, with Matt Winston the team manager for the race.
In very windy conditions, the ODP team went to front early to set a brisk pace and they were vindicated tactically when the race began to split up on the second lap.
On the third lap Amy Roberts launched an attack and although she never got no more than 15 seconds lead, she nontheless stayed away for 7km before she was joined by a group of fourteen, including Lucy Garner and Elinor Barker. Also in there was Belgian world silver medallist Jessy Druyts, who was showing good form despite recovering from a recent operation.
Five kilometres from finish there was an attack from Nicky Zijlaard, but the ODP riders worked hard to bring her back and caught her 500 meters from the line. Amy Roberts then attempted to lead Lucy Garner out, but an early jump from Dutch champion Ashlynn Van Baarle and Silvie Haakman saw Lucy have to react.
In the end Haakman won the sprint with Lucy Garner happy with second in her first race in the World Champion’s jersey. Ashlynn Van Baarle was 3rd and Jessy Druyts fourth.
The Olympic Talent Team also had a team of riders racing at the event and for most of the riders it was their first race abroad. In their race, a group of three got away, but Kim English, Mel Lowther and Beth Haywood all finished safely in the lead chase group. Grace Garner and Megan Barker finished just off the back of the bunch and Emily Nelson, who is carrying a bit of an illness, finished in a big group at the back.
Related Content: Barker solos to victory
Results
Junior Race
1 Haakman, Silvie RRC de Pedaalridders
2 Garner, Lucy Great Britain CT
3 van Baarle, Ashlynn Restore Cycling
4 Druyts, Jessy Topsport Vlaanderen
5 Kuijpers, Evy RTC Buitenlust
other
9 Roberts, Amy Great Britain CT
13 Barker, Elinor Great Britain CT
15 Kay, Emily Great Britain CT
46 Walker, Jessie Great Britain CT
Youth Race
1 Gunst, Denise GRC Jan van Arckel
2 Korevaar, Jeanne GRC Jan van Arckel
3 Druyts, Lenny Kon. Balen BC
4 Stenveld, Fianna NWV Groningen
5 Hommes, Daphne WRV de Pedaalridders
other
14 Lowther, Melissa Great Britain CT
15 Hayward, Bethany Great Britain CT
21 English, Kimberly Great Britain CT
23 Barker, Megan Great Britain CT
24 Garner, Grace Great Britain CT
33 Nelson, Emily Great Britain CT
