Women's Capernwray Road Race
Capernwray, Lancashire; Sunday 14th June 2009
(Incorporating Ladies North West Divisional Championships)
Thanks to Ian McVety (ilm@ilm-photography.co.uk | www.ilm-photography.co.uk)
Above: Leanne Thompson (Hewitt Racing) takes the Capernwray Ladies Road Race from Julie Cook (Altura RT) and Emma Trott (R&TC Groenewoud) finishing third.
Leanne Thompson (Hewitt Racing) held her nerve on the final climb of Sunny Bank to win the Capernwray Ladies Road Race which forms part of the British Cycling Women’s National Road Race Series and incorporates the North West Women’s Divisional Road Race Championships.
In a thrilling sprint at the top of the final climb, Leanne’s ability to both climb and sprint earned her the winning position she deserved for all the long hours she has put in to training and with local knowledge on her side, she did not disappoint in the race.
Emma Trott, (R&TC Groenewoud) was the first rider to make any significant impression on the race, when at the end of lap 2, commencing the long climb of Sunny Bank, she made a big effort to inject some pace into the race, resulting in a usable gap being created between a lead group of approximately 20 riders and a larger chasing group. Some riders tailed off the back of this group up the secondary climb of Docker and to their credit gritted their teeth and completed the race.
Maxgear RT, who had sent along the largest squad of riders, was frequently seen on the front of the lead group driving it along. At the turn by The Bay Horse in Arkholme, Emma Trott was again witnessed attacking hard up the climb, causing all sorts of mayhem in the lead group now numbering around 12 riders up the short climb. All the favourites were safely ensconced within this group and working hard for it to succeed.
Above: The leading group suffer in the heat up Sunny Bank.
A small chase group comprising of Penny Rowson,(www.mishchiefcard.com), Kara Chesworth, (Dysynni CC), Corrine Hall (Team Corridori), Alli Northcott, (Shred Racing) and Katie Fernehough, (GS Surosa) worked together to try and bridge the gap to the leaders but never quite managed it, though some of them went on to secure minor placings.
The next ascent of Sunny Bank saw the lead group down to 9 with riders taking advantage of the tail wind along the Kirkby Lonsdale Road to chase back this group. The tactic worked, as the lead group swelled to 14 riders. 
Leanne Thompson, later went on to say that by this point, after one or two notable attacks that bared little success, the women realised that a winner was going to come from within their own ranks and conservation of energy was now the name of the game as the temperature climbed and the legs tired.
Right: Leanne Thompson (Hewitt Racing)
On the final lap Lynn Hammel, (Team NCA) road strongly on the front, but perhaps burnt out for the finale. Leanne commented that she was now feeling comfortable and appeared to have ridden a canny race, always looking comfortable on the climbs, sat near to the front and ever vigilant she was ready for the climb she knew well.
So, with only the final climb to go Claire Thomas, (Edinburgh RC) attacked early creating a gap from the peloton, Julie Cook, (Altura RT) chased and Leanne followed. However Julie, did not quite breach the gap and not wanting to see her chances ride away, Leanne made the decision to come round Julie, catching Claire at the point in the climb where it kicks for the second time, she was left to hold off the rest of the peloton from the front, for the remainder of what must have felt like a long arduous climb to take a deserved victory.
Results
1. Leanne Thompson (Hewitt Racing)
2. Julie Cook (Altura RT)
3. Emma Trott (R&TC Groenewoud)
4. Anna Fischer (Maxgear RT)
5. Laura Trott (VCL)
6. Claire Thomas (Edinburgh RC)
7. Lynn Hammel (Team NCA)
8. Nicola Juniper (Glendene CC)
9. Charlotte Colclough WielerclubHand in Hand)
10. Rachel Osborn (Maxgear RT)
11. Sarah Reynolds (Team Wallis)
12. Jessica Roberts (www.mischiefcard.com)
13. Charlotte Blackman (Cyclefit)
14. Alli Northcott (Shred Racing)
15. Kara Chesworth (Dysynni CC)
16. Eryn Nolan (PM)
17. Ruby Miller (PM)
18. Penny Rowson (www.mischiefcard.com)
19. Corrine Hall (Team Corridori)
20. Michelle Lee (Maxgear RT)
More Photos 
Penny Rowson leads the group round early in the race
A rider from the Halesowen club showing her cornering technique
Emma Trott driving the group along ahead of Nicola Juniper.
Maxgear riders driving things along in the race
Left:Charlie Blackman on the climb, right, Future Star Ruby Miller
