Victory for Katie Colclough in Belgium

Great Britain Cycling Team's Women Olympic Academy riders, Anna Blyth, Hannah Mayho, Katie Colclough and Lucy Martin competed last weekend in a 100 kilometre kermesse which was 18 laps of a 5.5km circuit at Antwerp (Belgium). The race, for Elite women, saw a fantastic win for Katie, who rode into the finish alone. Prior to the race, her performance target from coach Simon Cope was to cover moves early on before creating moves in the second half of the race and think about how she could win the race.

Afterwards her coach, Simon Cope said the victory, "Katie rode well today, covered moves, countered moves and then got in an eight up break. This then split with six laps to go and was reduced to three riders before Katie then attacked with around a k to go and stayed away to win."

Talking about the other riders in GB colours, the Academy coach explained "Anna's job in the race was to sit tight and get through the 100km to experience finishing in a big group and if it was a bunch sprint, to have a go. She rode very well and was holding a very good position in the peloton for the first three quarters of the race. Towards the back end of the race though Anna started to suffer but dug deep and hung on in until the finish (43rd), something which will have given her a great deal confidence."

A rider who has been doing well in European races recently is Lucy Martin (10th), and she was active in the race, trying to get in breaks or away on her own and was very unlucky to not make the break. Lucy covered riders who were trying to get across to the break and in the end, paid the price for so many efforts but will benefit from the work in races to come. Hannah Mayho meanwhile, who is still at school and having to deal with a very heavy study program until mid June, has been doing as much training as she can fit in and before the race was not quite sure where she her form lay. The event was only her second race of the year and so it was not surprising she didn't finish the tough event.

Result

1. Katie Colclough 100% ME 02:39:17
2. Annelies Van Doorslaer , Lotto-Belisol Ladiesteam
3. Lensy Debboudt Keukens Redant Cycling Team
other
10. Lucy Martin 100% Me
38. Alice Monger-Godfrey Alice Swift Racing Team
43. Anna Blyth, 100% ME