Ejay Harris took her first win of the HSBC UK | National Women's Road Series season as she out-sprinted a group of five to cross the line first in the Otley Grand Prix for Storey Racing.
Annasley Park, of Drops Cycling came in second behind Harris as they kept up their strong showing in the series, with Mel Lowther grabbing the other podium spot for Team Breeze.
Proud to take the win for @StoreyRT @otleycycleraces today! Topped by Mum soaked but supporting :) strong riding by all @eisbergwine pic.twitter.com/jpb4RDxdhS
— Ejay Harris (@_EjayHarris) June 28, 2017
Drops set the pace
On a wet night in Yorkshire a delayed youth race saw round six of the National Women's Road Series reduced from 15 laps to just 12 of the 1.3km circuit around Otley.
And it was the series leaders Drops Cycling who made the riding early on as they set a fearsome pace on the front before one of their riders, Park, jumped clear of the group and was joined by Anna Henderson of Cycle Team OnForm.
The race behind quickly fragmented and with Storey Racing's series leader Chanel Mason forced into a change on bike on lap six, the field struggled to form a coherent chase.
Harris joins the leaders
Three more riders did bridge the gap to the leading pair, though, with Harris, Rebecca Durrell and Lowther making it a strong group of five with eight laps remaining.
With both Park and Durrell in the front five, their Drops colleagues sat on the front of the chasing pack to slow it down and the leaders soon established a 20s lead as they ticked off the laps in 3mins and 30secs.
As the laps went by it soon became clear the peloton were not going to hunt down their prey, and the cat and mouse games began with just under two laps remaining.
Durrell attacked as the group crossed the line to start the final lap, but she could not get a decisive break and Harris countered, leading into the final corner before unleashing a sprint to hold off her four rivals and get the win for Storey Racing.
It was a night to remember for @_EjayHarris in Yorkshire.
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) June 28, 2017
Here's what she had to say after that @HSBC_UK | National #WomensRoadSeries race pic.twitter.com/QnRg1hPLvF
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