Essex Giro and Junior Womens RR Championship
August 2, Saffron Walden | Report & pictures Mark Cozens ()
A British Cycling National Women's Series Event
Laura Trott who rode so well recently at the European Championships, has won the Essex Giro and with it, the British Junior Road Race Championships for women.
Junior RR Championship podium: Jessica Booth, Laura Trott and Hannah Rich.
The Race
The British Cycling Women's National Road Race series saw 34 riders, 11 of which were eligible for the junior championship, taking to the start of today’s 2009 Essex Giro. Ahead of them were four laps of an undulating circuit east of Saffron Walden where the weather was perfect for racing being bright and warm with light winds.
It was clear from very early on in the race that any attempts to make a break for it were not going to happen with the bunch rapidly closing down anyone brave enough to try. This meant that the race stayed as one bunch for virtually the entire event. Notable at the front of proceedings for significant periods were Elise Laverick (Pearson Cycles ) and Nicola Juniper (PCA Ciclos Uno) who have shown in many other events that they are not afraid to have a go to try and break a race up.
With the weather being so kind to the riders though, getting a gap and keeping it was proving to be impossible and the race eventually came down to a bunch kick where the finish was at the top of a slight rise out of the village of Ashdon. Leading the peloton across the line was a talented Junior Laura Trott (VC Londres) who took advantage of what she termed a perfect lead out to win the overall event in addition to the Junior championship.
Another junior, Jessica Booth (Halesowen A & CC) was second with Leanne Thompson (Hewitt Racing) being first senior home in third. Hannah Rich (Candi TV-Pinarello RT) took the junior bronze medal. Afterwards, when asked about any game plan she had for the event, Laura said she had planned to watch her fellow juniors who she knows well with many being in the Olympic Development Programme with her.
Laura intended to go with any of the juniors who she deemed to be a danger whilst ignoring the seniors. When it became apparent that any moves off the front were being shut down as soon as they started, Laura's confidence in winning a bunch gallop, saw her deciding to sit back on the final lap of the course and take her chances in the finale which in the end proved to be very fruitful with both the race and championship victory hers.
Result
1. Laura Trott Velo Club Londres
2. Jessica Booth Halesowen A & CC
3. Leanne Thompson Hewitt Racing
4. Hannah Rich Candi TV-Pinarello RT
5. Claire Thomas Edinburgh Road Club
6. Kara Chesworth Dysynni CC
7. Sarah Reynolds Team Wallis CHH
8. Ruby Miller Private Member
9. Ella Sadler-Andrews Team Wallis CHH
10. Alexandra Tyrer Twickenham CC
11. Nicola Juniper Glendene CC
12. Ann Ewing Edinburgh Road Club
13. Penny Rowson Mischiefcard.com RT
14. Wendy Bates Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar
15. Sarah Piner Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar
16. Alli Northcott Shred Racing
17. Anna Fischer Maxgear RT
18. Sarah Byrne Private Member
19. Charlotte Blackman Cyclefit RT
20. Rachel Przybylski Charlotteville CC
21. Jeanette Caldicot Maxgear RT
22. Corrine Hall Team Corridori
23. Katie Fernehough Surosa
24. Anna Grundy East London Velo
25. Eryn Nolan Private Member
26. Louise Eden Maxgear RT
27. Kate Scotter VC Norwich
28. Leona Kadir Kingston Wheelers
29. Gail Aspden Penzance Wheelers
30. Elise Laverick Pearson Cycles
31. Liz Chittenden Eagle RC
32. Averill Milligan Cambridge CC
33. Hayley Edwards Halesowen A & CC
Primes:
Prime 1---Claire Thomas
Prime 2---Sarah Piner
More Race Photos
Riders assemble for the start
Laura Trott and Sarah Reynolds
