WCRA WEST THAMES FRI SERIES EVENT 2, 16 May 2003

Result

Race report by Andy Verrall

National Circuit Race champion 19 year old Jacqui Marshall was not put off by the wet and windy conditions to score a victory at the same circuit that she took the jersey  last August.

Heavy rain and strong winds greeted the riders, 12 riders signed on despite these awful conditions.Round 1 winner Leda Cox sent her apologies as she was only just getting over a recent illness.The race started steady with Jacqui riding at the rear of the bunch along with her fast improving mother Carolyn.On the 5th lap Jeannette Tebbit put in an impresive attack through the finish,Jacqui was straight on her wheel and the two worked well together steadily pulling away from the bunch.Around 10 laps in the rain turned to very heavy hail stones as the temperature dropped,this did not put the girls off as they carried on round the very wet and windy circuit.

Once the gap was around 1 1/2 mins the bunch started jumping around with the Dipple Sisters-Ceri&Sarah,Carolyn , Amy Juniper active at the front, meanwhile Jeannette & Jacqui were working well together .A puncture for Ceri Dipple saw her take a lap out just before the 5 to go board was displayed.

The leading pair came through the bell together,then Jeannette took the lead down the back straight and lead out the sprint Jacqui left her effort late and jumped past at 100 metres from the line to cross the line with plenty of time to raise her arms to show of her by now very dirty national champions jersey.Ceri Dipple led outh bunch sprint and hung on to take a well earned 3 rd place ahead off Amy Juniper in her first race.

Ceri's 3 rd place saw the 17 year old take the overall lead in the series,with 3 riders tied in 2nd place.The next round should see plenty of action with Leda Cox retuning who along with Jeannette shall have team advantage over Jacqui in the battle for the overall points whilst Ceri shall use her 15 year old sister Sarah to help her against her older rivals.

Round 3 takes place on the 30th May,with Leda & Jacqui then travelling to Belgium over the weekend to compete as part of a WCRA team in Wortegem-Petegem along with 4 other riders.

Overall Result after 2 rounds