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Report: Tour of Blackpool Grand Prix des Dames

Sat, 2nd Jul 2011, Palatine Sports Centre, Blackpool.
National Women's Road & Circuit Race Series
Event promoted by: Cycling Development North West (website)
Report & Images: Andy Whitehouse

Lucy Garner was back to her winning ways at the newly opened Palatine circuit in Blackpool.The young Motorpoint rider played a cool waiting game until the closing metres to take the sprint from team-mate Harriet Owen and Viored's Amy Roberts.

The race was stopped in the early laps when Sarah Byrne crashed on the fast bottom bend and took a deep cut to her leg which resulted in a trip to the local A&E.The race was reduced to thirty minutes and 5 laps because of the delayed race start.

From the restart the main protaganists put in a rapid turn of speed which soon stretched the group into a long line with riders soon being shelled out the back. Attacks came thick and fast on the flat, fast 1km loop but no one was strong enough to break the elastic and stay away.

It was down to Horizon's Jo Rowsell to put in the big effort with five laps to go - her attack soon pulling a ten second gap on the chasing bunch headed up by the Motorpoint girls.

With the orange kit of Motorpoint organising the bunch, Rowsell's slender lead was pulled back with three laps to go and it would be the National Champion's jesey of Hannah Barnes heading up the group with Garner nicley tucked in.With the bell ringing it was Barnes and Garner on the front pulling the bunch along at a rapid pace which didn't relent until Lucy Garner crossed the line arms aloft and the obligatory smile.

Afterwards Garner said: "I don't know how I won that ,I've just come off a break from riding, I was either going to be fresh or just sit in and slowly just get back into it. It was alright out there actually. The corners were good,they were pretty tight which suits me. I think I'm leading(the series) now."

Why not read Andy Whitehouse's recent interview with Lucy Garner

Provisional Results

1. Lucy Garner Motorpoint 22 laps 33.15
2. Harriet Owen Motorpoint
3. Amy Roberts Viored Brookvex
4. Emily Kay Halesoen A&CC
5. Alice Barnes Motorpoint
6. Eve Dixon Maxgear RT
7. Elinor Barker Carfiff Ajax
8. Gabriella Shaw Viored Brookvex
9. Jo Rowsell Horizon Fitness-Pendras
10.Lauren Creamer Abergavenny RC