WCRA WEST THAMES FRIDAY SERIES, EVENT 8, 8 August 2003

Result

Race Report by Andy Verrall

A good turnout on this very hot evening saw 17 riders sign on in the 33 degrees Centigrade heat and, with Brian Taylor bringing along some of his riders, it appeared on paper that a good aggressive race was on the cards. A very fast start saw the field split into several groups but after 4 laps things slowed and the field re-grouped and  became a negative event with the only attacks coming from from Jeanette Tebbut and Colette Swift, with Leda Cox marking the moves and the bunch re-grouping after each attack.

The first prime was taken by Sarah Collis, then Helen Shulver did a long turn on the front whilst nobody seemed keen to assist her until the next prime which cruelly sent her out of the back, the prime being taken by Jo Tindley getting her sprinting legs back after a lay off when she broke her collarbone in the Herne Hill crash.

With 5 laps to go Jeanette Tebbut got clear and held a good lead but some hard riding by Jessica Stoddard saw her brought back in. Then Joy Nixon attacked with 2 laps remaining; pedalling smoothly she did not look back and rode well to stay clear to win. The bunch sprint saw Janet Birkmyre going from a long way out to hang on from Amy Juniper then series leader Cox.

The final round takes place on Friday 22nd August when a presentation shall be made to the top 6 riders overall.

The series has now seen just under 50 different riders sign on throughout the 8 races ranging from the Great Britain team to girls riding their first road race. With its success this year the Twickenham CC are already planning the 2004 series.

The next and final round takes place on the 22nd August. Contact Andy Verrall, 07967 966719, for details.

Overall Result after 8 rounds with 1 remaining