1st and 2nd at Castle Combe

Mick gives Adel some pointers!

The team travelled to Castle Combe race circuit for one of the Omega promoted races. Riding today was Maz, Adel, Jackie, Eleanor, Ellie and Jenny. There was a bunch of 20 riders with Team Zappi in full force as well as ourselves.

Team line up on the start line

The pace was fast from the start with Team Zappi eager to race and break away. The back straight was a block headwind, meaning a fast tail-wind finish :) Our team put in some spirited attacks but it was a few laps in when Adel got into a break with two riders from Team Zappi. With members of each of the most represented teams in the break I thought we'd be in for an easier ride...... Two more of the Team Zappi girls had other ideas though and decided to chase it down. As they were the strongest riders remaining in the bunch I knew we couldn't let them go so I chased and found myself in another break of three, not quite the plan! Needless to say I did not contribute to the chase, having a team-mate in the break already. They proceeded to catch the break with 5 laps to go. Seeing as it was now 4 Team Zappi riders to 2 VC St Raphael riders, we were in a weak position. We used our tactical nouse though to claim 1st and 2nd.

Maz winning sprint for the win

Brilliant days racing, well done all!

Thanks to Jamie and Chris Streather for some brilliant photos, gathered in very cold conditions!!

Full result:
1st Marianne BRITTEN VC St Raphael / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles
2nd Adel TYSON-BLOOR VC St Raphael / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles
3rd Anna REID Zappi Ladies Team
4th Clare LEAVER Zappi Ladies Team
5th Vittria BUSSI Zappi Ladies Team
6th Siân CAHILL Zappi Ladies Team
7th Eleanor JONES VC St Raphael / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles
8th Bonnie van WILGENBURG Zappi Ladies Team
9th Jennifer HUDSON VC St Raphael / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles
10th Ruby BAKER Behind The Bikeshed
11th Georgina SNOWDON-BRETT University of Bristol Cycling Club
12th Ellie GILHAM VC St Raphael / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles
13th Lili McLEAN Andover Wheelers
14th Nikki Wheeler Team Wiggle
15th Greta COWAN Personalbikefit.com
16th Jackie GARNER VC St Raphael / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles
17th Louise GEORGI Giant CC – Halo Films
18th Bethany TAYLOR Bristol Cycling Development Squad
19th Sarah STEWART Bristol Road Club
20th Danielle BURRY Poole Wheelers CC
21st Madeleine IAFRATE University of Bristol Cycling Club
22nd Harriet SIMPOLE-CLARKE University of Bristol Cycling Club