The first round of the National Series was the Cheshire Classic Road Race. Going into the race with 3 Matrix Fitness-Prendas riders; Penny Rowson, Hannah Walker and Annie Simpson they still rode strong as a unit throughout the race and never left the top15 of the bunch. A lot of early moves went each time on the finishing climb, in which most of them Annie initiated, whilst Penny and Hannah sat comfortably at the front of the bunch following the people who were trying to jump across. The other teams were strong in bringing the moves back, so it was hard to stay away. Coming up to the prime with 5 laps to go, we were all up the front; Hannah went for the prime but didn’t quite have the legs to take it, but it saw a great counter attack from Annie who got clear with Lauren Creamer, however the peloton remained persistent to close these down as we were heavily marked.
With four laps to go, we saw Penny attack on the climb, with Hannah closely following her, who was able to help drive it along the flat to try and get a move going, unluckily nothing came of it. As soon as this was brought back Natalie Creswick, who we saw take a strong win at Virginia Water last weekend counter-attacked taking Sarah Storey and Molly Weaver with her. Regrettably from the girls this was the only move during the race in which none of the girls were in and the only move that stayed clear of the peloton. All three Matrix-Prendas girls tried desperately to bring it back as they could see it slipping from their hands but Sarah and Molly were just too strong with only a handful of riders contributing to the front. Penny made a last desperate effort to jump across sweeping up Creswick who’d been dropped from the break and 3 other riders joined them on the last lap, however it was too much work bringing the gap back in such a short distance.
Annie tried to keep momentum but once the riders entered the bypass for the last time, they knew it was going to be a bunch kick for 3rd. The three girls all decided to try and go for it as they knew they had nothing to lose with tired legs from such an active race. It was all about positioning on the last left hand bend, a uphill kick to the finish, saw Penny lead it out to only be piped on the line by Corrine Hall, only just missing out on a podium finish; taking 4th.
Hannah: ‘Today was a great race, with lots of attacking and people trying to get away. Personally I didn’t feel too great as I’ve been ill through the week, so didn’t really know what to expect of myself. The first 4 or 5 laps I felt terrible, but as the race went on I felt stronger, I always had good positioning. I tried to get in moves and also tried to bring Sarah and Molly back with Penny and Annie when they got away, but it wasn’t going to come back in the time we had left. Going into the finish I was positioned well going down the bypass but got boxed in just before the corner I regained a few places going into the hill, but when I started sprinting I got cramp again, just unlucky, that’s bike racing. This is the 4th Cheshire Classic I’ve done and I definitely think it’s been the hardest.’
Penny: ‘I’m really pleased with today, the team put out a strong performance to say we only had 3 riders. We all rode aggressively, attacking and getting involved in the moves and having a strong presence at the front. Just a shame the one move we weren’t in was the winning move. Happy to finish 4th although I’m gutted we couldn’t get Matrix Fitness – Prendas on the podium to reflect our efforts of the day.’
Results:
1 Sarah Storey (For Viored) 2:12:29
2 Molly Weaver (Scott Contessa) @ 3sec
3 Corrinne Hall (Node 4-Giordana) @ 2:14
4 Penny Rowson (Matrix Fitness-Prendas)
5 Lowri Bunn (Abergavenny RC)
6 Harriet Owen (Node 4-Giordana)
7 Laura Massey (Vivelo Bikes)
8 Jenny Stanning (Velocity)
9 Gabby Shaw (For Viored)
10 Jo Tindley (VC St Raphael)
11 Lauren Creamer (Abergavenny RC)
12 Lydia Boylan (Look Mum No Hands)
13 Annie Simpson (Matrix Fitness)
14 Sarah Brook (Mulebar)
15 Karen Poole (Squadra Donne)
16 Anna Christian (Scott Contessa)
17 Laura Murray (Velocity)
18 Kimberley Ashton (Abergavenny RC)
19 Nicola Juniper (Corvida Allpress)
20 Delia Beddis (Vivelo Bikes)
TBC – Hannah Walker
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