Video Interview – Clara Copponi Interview – Stage 2 – Women’s Tour 2021

by | Oct 5, 2021

Clara Copponi interviewed at the end of Stage 2 of the AJ Bell Women’s Tour 2021. After coming second on the day and now leading the Tour, the FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope rider talks to the media about her race.

Clara Copponi Interview – Stage 2 – Women’s Tour 2021

Clara Copponi interviewed at the end of Stage 2 of the AJ Bell Women’s Tour 2021. After coming second on the day and now leading the Tour, the FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope rider talks to the media about her race.

 

Image & video ©www.cyclingshorts.cc | www.chrismaher.co.uk

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AJ Bell Women’s Tour – Stage 1 – Race Report & Gallery

by | Oct 4, 2021

Former world champion Marta Bastianelli claimed her first-ever AJ Bell Women’s Tour stage victory in Banbury, Oxfordshire, on Monday following a perfectly-timed sprint.

Bastianelli (Alé BTC Ljubljana) managed to pass Chloe Hosking (Trek-Segafredo) and FDJ Nouvelle – Aquitaine Futuroscope’s Clara Copponi in sight of the line to take the win and the race’s first leader’s jersey of 2021.

The 2007 World Champion headed into the final corner on Banbury’s South Bar Street in third position but on the gently rising road to the finish line it was Bastianelli who powered to the line.  Victory was the first for an Italian rider at the AJ Bell Women’s Tour since Stage Two of the inaugural edition in May 2014.

“It’s a very nice win for me.  There are lots of people, lots of babies, for me it is good, because I think of my daughter.

“There was a crash with 1km to go, and luckily I did not crash but I am sorry for those that did.  I started the sprint in third position, and for me it was the maximum because my coach has seen me win sprints from there.

“The sprint was not easy because it is a little bit tougher and uphill, and I think it is not for the sprinters, but for me it is a good race and a good day.”

Marta Bastianelli

Stage 1 Winner, Team Alé BTC Ljubljana

Top Brit was Hannah Barnes (Canyon SRAM Racing) in sixth while defending champion Lizzie Deignan (Trek-Segafredo) finished 40th, 26 seconds down, after working for team-mate Hosking in the sprint.

Bastianelli also takes the Sigma Sports Points jersey while Nina Kessler (Team TIBCO Silicon Valley Bank) holds the Eisberg Sprints jersey and Demi Vollering (SD Worx) takes the ŠKODA Queen of the Mountains.

Highlights of Stage One are on ITV4 at 21:00 on Monday 4 October and available on demand via the ITV Hub.

Stage 1 Results

AJ BELL LEADER'S JERSEY
   1   Marta BASTIANELLI [ITA]   Ale BTC Ljubljana   03:44:31
 
1   Marta BASTIANELLI [ITA]   Ale BTC Ljubljana   03:44:31
2   Chloe HOSKING [AUS]   Trek – Segafredo   03:44:35
3   Nina KESSLER [NED]   Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Bank   03:44:35
4   Clara COPPONI [FRA]   FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope   03:44:37
5   Sarah ROY [AUS]   Team BikeExchange   03:44:38
6   Alison JACKSON [CAN]   Liv Racing   03:44:39
7   Demi VOLLERING [NED]   Team SD Worx   03:44:40
8   Sheyla GUTIERREZ RUIZ [ESP]   Movistar Team   03:44:41
9   Elena CECCHINI [ITA]   Team SD Worx   03:44:41
10   Hannah BARNES [GBR]   Canyon SRAM Racing   03:44:41
11   Sofia BERTIZZOLO [ITA]   Liv Racing   03:44:41
12   Josie NELSON [GBR]   Team Coop – Hitec Products   03:44:41
13   Amy PIETERS [NED]   Team SD Worx   03:44:41
14   Leah KIRCHMANN [CAN]   Team DSM   03:44:41
15   Juliette LABOUS [FRA]   Team DSM   03:44:41
16   Christine MAJERUS [LUX]   Team SD Worx   03:44:41
17   Chantal BLAAK [NED]   Team SD Worx   03:44:41
18   Eugénie DUVAL [FRA]   FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope   03:44:41
19   Elise CHABBEY [SUI]   Canyon SRAM Racing   03:44:41
20   Aude BIANNIC [FRA]   Movistar Team   03:44:41
21   Eugenia BUJAK [SLO]   Ale BTC Ljubljana   03:44:41
22   Soraya PALADIN [ITA]   Liv Racing   03:44:41
23   Ella HARRIS [NZL]   Canyon SRAM Racing   03:44:41
24   Joscelin LOWDEN [GBR]   Drops – Le Col S/B TEMPUR   03:44:41
25   Pien LIMPENS [NED]   Parkhotel Valkenburg   03:44:41
26   Natalie GRINCZER [GBR]   CAMS – Basso   03:44:41
27   Evita MUZIC [FRA]   FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope   03:44:41
28   Mischa BREDEWOLD [NED]   Parkhotel Valkenburg   03:44:41
29   Abi SMITH [GBR]   Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Bank   03:44:41
30   Sophie WRIGHT [GBR]   Ale BTC Ljubljana   03:44:41
31   Nicole FRAIN [AUS]   Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Bank   03:44:41
32   Anna SHACKLEY [GBR]   Team SD Worx   03:44:41
33   Ane SANTESTEBAN GONZALEZ [ESP]   Team BikeExchange   03:44:41
34   Lauren STEPHENS [USA]   Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Bank   03:44:41
35   Victorie GUILMAN [FRA]   FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope   03:44:41
36   Jade WIEL [FRA]   FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope   03:44:41
37   Hayley SIMMONDS [GBR]   CAMS – Basso   03:44:41
38   Lourdes OYARBIDE JIMENEZ [ESP]   Movistar Team   03:44:41
39   Elisa BALSAMO [ITA]   Valcar – Travel & Service   03:44:41
40   Alice BARNES [GBR]   Canyon SRAM Racing   03:44:41
41   Chiara CONSONNI [ITA]   Valcar – Travel & Service   03:44:41
42   Ilaria SANGUINETI [ITA]   Valcar – Travel & Service   03:44:41
43   Jelena ERIC [SRB]   Movistar Team   03:44:41
44   Liane LIPPERT [GER]   Team DSM   03:44:41
45   Ingvild GÅSKJENN [NOR]   Team Coop – Hitec Products   03:44:41
46   Pfeiffer GEORGI [GBR]   Team DSM   03:44:41
47   Jeanne KOREVAAR [NED]   Liv Racing   03:44:41
48   Lucy KENNEDY [AUS]   Team BikeExchange   03:45:07
49   Elizabeth DEIGNAN [GBR]   Trek – Segafredo   03:45:07
50   Maaike BOOGAARD [NED]   Ale BTC Ljubljana   03:45:16
51   Amber VAN DER HULST [NED]   Parkhotel Valkenburg   03:45:58
52   Femke MARKUS [NED]   Parkhotel Valkenburg   03:46:00
53   Danielle CHRISTMAS [GBR]   Drops – Le Col S/B TEMPUR   03:46:00
54   Janneke ENSING [NED]   Team BikeExchange   03:46:05
55   Veronica EWERS [USA]   Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Bank   03:46:13
56   Connie HAYES [GBR]   AWOL O’Shea   03:46:26
57   April TACEY [GBR]   Drops – Le Col S/B TEMPUR   03:47:43
58   Kirstie VAN HAAFTEN [NED]   Parkhotel Valkenburg   03:47:43
59   Margaux VIGIE [FRA]   Valcar – Travel & Service   03:47:43
60   Anna CHRISTIAN [GBR]   Drops – Le Col S/B TEMPUR   03:47:44
61   Alice LETHBRIDGE [GBR]   AWOL O’Shea   03:47:44
62   Becky STORRIE [GBR]   CAMS – Basso   03:47:44
63   Elena PIRRONE [ITA]   Valcar – Travel & Service   03:47:47
64   Femke GERRITSE [NED]   Parkhotel Valkenburg   03:47:52
65   Audrey CORDON RAGOT [FRA]   Trek – Segafredo   03:47:58
66   Trixi WORRACK [GER]   Trek – Segafredo   03:47:58
67   Mari Hole MOHR [NOR]   Team Coop – Hitec Products   03:47:58
68   Teniel CAMPBELL [TTO]   Team BikeExchange   03:47:58
69   Alicia GONZALEZ BLANCO [ESP]   Movistar Team   03:47:58
70   Gloria RODRIGUEZ SANCHEZ [ESP]   Movistar Team   03:47:58
71   Lorena WIEBES [NED]   Team DSM   03:48:28
72   Megan JASTRAB [USA]   Team DSM   03:50:15
73   Maria Apolonia VAN ‘T GELOOF [NED]   Drops – Le Col S/B TEMPUR   03:50:19
74   Jessica FINNEY [GBR]   CAMS – Basso   03:56:43
75   Katie SCOTT [GBR]   CAMS – Basso   03:56:43
76   Alice TOWERS [GBR]   Drops – Le Col S/B TEMPUR   03:56:43
77   Phoebe MARTIN [GBR]   AWOL O’Shea   03:56:43
78   Hannah BAYES [GBR]   AWOL O’Shea   03:56:43
79   Francesca MORGANS-SLADER [GBR]   AWOL O’Shea   03:56:46
80   Emma EDWARDS [USA]   CAMS – Basso   03:56:46
81   Caroline ANDERSSON [SWE]   Team Coop – Hitec Products   03:56:46
82   Olivia BENT [GBR]   AWOL O’Shea   03:56:46
83   Jessica ALLEN [AUS]   Team BikeExchange   03:56:49
84   Maelle GROSSETETE [FRA]   FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope   03:56:49
85   Evy KUIJPERS [NED]   Liv Racing   03:56:49
86   Pernille Larsen FELDMANN [NOR]   Team Coop – Hitec Products   03:56:52
SIGMA SPORTS POINTS JERSEY
   Marta BASTIANELLI [ITA]   Ale BTC Ljubljana   15pts
 
1   Marta BASTIANELLI [ITA]   Ale BTC Ljubljana   15pts
2   Chloe HOSKING [AUS]   Trek – Segafredo   12pts
3   Clara COPPONI [FRA]   FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope   9pts
4   Sheyla GUTIERREZ RUIZ [ESP]   Movistar Team   7pts
5   Elena CECCHINI [ITA]   Team SD Worx   6pts
6   Hannah BARNES [GBR]   Canyon SRAM Racing   5pts
7   Sofia BERTIZZOLO [ITA]   Liv Racing   4pts
8   Josie NELSON [GBR]   Team Coop – Hitec Products   3pts
9   Amy PIETERS [NED]   Team SD Worx   2pts
10   Leah KIRCHMANN [CAN]   Team DSM   1pt
SKODA QUEEN OF THE MOUNTAINS JERSEY
  1   Demi VOLLERING [NED]   Team SD Worx   7
 
1   Demi VOLLERING [NED]   Team SD Worx   7
2   Janneke ENSING [NED]   Team BikeExchange   6
3   Alison JACKSON [CAN]   Liv Racing   5
4   Elise CHABBEY [SUI]   Canyon SRAM Racing   4
5   Chiara CONSONNI [ITA]   Valcar – Travel & Service   3
6   Joscelin LOWDEN [GBR]   Drops – Le Col S/B TEMPUR   2
7   Evita MUZIC [FRA]   FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope   2
8   Femke MARKUS [NED]   Parkhotel Valkenburg   2
9   Ane SANTESTEBAN GONZALEZ [ESP]   Team BikeExchange   1
10   Liane LIPPERT [GER]   Team DSM   1
ISBERG SPRINTS JERSEY
  1   Nina KESSLER [NED]   Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Bank   6pts
 
1   Nina KESSLER [NED]   Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Bank   6pts
2   Sarah ROY [AUS]   Team BikeExchange   3pts
3   Alison JACKSON [CAN]   Liv Racing   2pts
4   Demi VOLLERING [NED]   Team SD Worx   1pts

Stage 2 Preview

Walsall will welcome the Women’s Tour, the world’s leading international women’s cycle race, for the first time in 2021.

Stage two will start at the Walsall Arboretum, the area’s famous Victorian park, and culminate with a finish on Lichfield Street in the heart of the town and in the shadows of Walsall Town Hall. However, action aplenty is guaranteed on the 10-kilometre clockwise circuit around Hayhead Woods, Barr Beacon nature reserve and Pool Green that will be tackled 10 times.

The circuit will include three intermediate sprints at Barr Common (on laps four, six and eight) as well as offering points towards the ŠKODA Queen of the Mountains competition atop the Barr Beacon climb (1.2km long, maximum gradient of 5.7%) on laps five, seven and nine. A thrilling run in to the line is guaranteed, as the top of the climb on lap 10 comes just 6.5 largely downhill kilometres from the finish. In total the stage measures 103 kilometres (64 miles).

Walsall will become only the third venue – after both Stoke-on-Trent and Chesterfield in 2017 – in history to welcome both the start and finish of a Women’s Tour road stage on the same day.

Stage 2 Timetable

ROUTE DETAILS ESTIMATED TIMETABLE
kms kms
to go		 Miles Miles
to go		 Feature Instruction Description Base Speed 35 38 42
110% 100% 90%
Duration 02:57 02:41 02:25
0.00 4.20 0.00 2.50

Start Neutralised 

   Arboretum, Walsall 38 11:30 11:30 11:30
0.00 102.2 0.00 63.6

Start Proper 

   A454 Walsall Road 38 11:45 11:45 11:45
0.4 101.8 0.2 63.3 T.Lights Right A4154 Bosty Lane 38 11:45 11:45 11:45
0.8 101.4 0.5 63.1     Green Zone in operation from Race Start 38 11:46 11:46 11:46
1.9 100.3 1.2 62.4

Sprint 

   Laps 4, 6 & 8 38 11:48 11:48 11:47
2.5 99.7 1.6 62.0 R/about 3rd Exit Erdington Road 38 11:49 11:48 11:48
3.2 99.0 2.0 61.6 R/about 2nd Exit Aldridge Road 38 11:50 11:50 11:49
4.4 97.8 2.7 60.8 X.Roads Right Bride Lane 38 11:52 11:51 11:51
4.4 97.8 2.7 60.8 QoM Start   38 11:52 11:51 11:51
5.7 96.5 3.5 60.0

QoM Cat 3 

 Finish Laps 5,7 & 9 38 11:54 11:54 11:53
5.7 96.5 3.5 60.0 T.Junction Right B4154 Beacon Lane 38 11:54 11:54 11:53
6.8 95.4 4.2 59.3 Junction Left Little Johnsons Lane 38 11:56 11:55 11:54
7.0 95.2 4.4 59.2 T.Junction Left B4151 Sutton Road 38 11:57 11:56 11:54
8.6 93.6 5.3 58.2 Junction Right Longwood Lane 38 11:59 11:58 11:57
9.7 92.5 6.0 57.5 R/about 2nd Exit A454 Walsall Road 38 12:01 12:00 11:58
10.0 92.2 6.2 57.3     1 x full circuit of 9 38 12:02 12:00 11:59
98.6 3.6 61.3 2.2 Straight Exit Circuit B4151 Sutton Road 38 14:36 14:20 14:05
100.2 2.0 62.3 1.2 R/about 2nd Exit Sutton Road 38 14:39 14:23 14:07
101.1 1.1 62.9 0.7 R/about 2nd Exit Springhill Road Keep Left! 38 14:40 14:24 14:08
101.4 0.8 63.1 0.5 R/about 2nd Exit Ablewell Street 38 14:41 14:25 14:09
101.5 0.7 63.1 0.4 T.Lights Straight Ablewell Street Caution! Against One Way! 38 14:41 14:25 14:09
101.7 0.5 63.2 0.3 T.Lights Straight Bridge Street 38 14:41 14:25 14:09
101.7 0.5 63.2 0.3 T.Lights Straight Bridge Street 38 14:41 14:25 14:09
101.9 0.3 63.4 0.2   Keep Right Lichfield Street 38 14:41 14:25 14:09
102.2 0.0 63.6 0.0

Finish 

   Lichfield Street, Walsall 38 14:42 14:26 14:10

Stage 2 Map

Stage 2 Race Profile

All images ©CyclingShorts.cc | www.chrismaher.co.uk

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Chris Maher

Chris Maher

Photographer & Writer

Based in the North East of England; photographer Chris Maher specialises in sports photography with his main interests in Cycling and Super Bikes. Chris has covered sports events from local and national level right up to the Olympics for CyclingShorts.cc.
Website: www.ChrisMaher.co.uk

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AJ Bell Women’s Tour Returns – Official Start List

by | Oct 3, 2021

842 days after Lizzie Deignan (Trek-Segafredo) won the last edition of the race, the AJ Bell Women’s Tour returns tomorrow (Monday 4 October).

Two days after her historic victory in the first ever women’s Paris Roubaix Deignan heads the start list as the race gets underway in Oxfordshire with a 147.7-kilometre (91.8-mile) stage between Bicester and Banbury.

In total 16 different nationalities are represented on the start line in the 89-rider field.  Britain is the most represented nation with 24 riders in the peloton.

A trio of riders – Hannah Barnes (Canyon SRAM Racing), Leah Kirchmann (Team DSM), and Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) – will be competing in their seventh edition of the AJ Bell Women’s Tour, having started and finished all six editions to date.

The youngest rider in the race is Alice Towers (Drops – Le Col s/b TEMPUR) at 18 years and 358 days, while Trek-Segafredo rider Trixi Worrack’s in one of the final races of her career at 40 years and 6 days.

This year’s AJ Bell Women’s Tour features its first-ever individual time trial, taking place in Atherstone on stage three (Wednesday 6 October), with the overall champion set to be crowned in Felixstowe on Saturday (9 October).

Double AJ Bell Women’s Tour stage winner Sarah Roy (Team BikeExchange) said; “VeloViewer has been great to see what the courses will be like this year. The stages look like it will be really fun and interesting racing across the whole week and the terrain really suits our team. 

“VeloViewer has been great to see what the courses will be like this year. The stages look like it will be really fun and interesting racing across the whole week and the terrain really suits our team.

“I like that there’s a ‘short’ time trial this year as well. It’ll really sort out the GC which can open the racing up a bit differently for non-time trial riders.  It’s also been a special year with the Olympics and the first time we’ve had a really popular, strong stage race after the World Championships. I expect to see some great racing though, our peloton is relentless.”

Sarah Roy

Rider, Team BikeExchange

Sofia Bertizzolo comes into the AJ Bell Women’s Tour fresh having missed Paris – Roubaix; “I don’t have a lot of experience in the Women’s Tour. It’s only the second time I’ve ridden it.

“I have studied the course and expect a very attacking race. The stage profiles don’t seem too difficult, so the attack might be worth it for those who are aiming for the general classification. The time trial could also be decisive for the general classification. I expect a fast race where everyone is sharp. The latter certainly applies to me. The last few weeks I have not ridden any races. But I’ve had good quality training sessions and I’m fresh and ready to go.”

Sofia Bertizzolo

Will ride the Women's Tour for the 2nd time, Team Liv Racing

About the AJ Bell Women’s Tour

Created by SweetSpot Group in 2014, the AJ Bell Women’s Tour is the UK’s first international stage race for women, bringing the world’s top riders to compete in Great Britain as a part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour.

The race, which has been won by the likes of Marianne Vos (2014), Lizzie Deignan (2016, 2019) and Coryn Rivera (2018), attracts an annual roadside audience of 300,000, as well as over three million fans through linear and online platforms. 

Stages

 

Stage One Monday 4 October Bicester to Banbury 147.6km
Stage Two Tuesday 5 October Walsall to Walsall 103km
Stage Three Wednesday 6 October Atherstone individual time trial 16.6km
Stage Four Thursday 7 October Shoeburyness to Southend-on-Sea 117.5km
Stage Five Friday 8 October Colchester to Clacton-on-Sea 95.3km
Stage Six Saturday 9 October Haverhill to Felixstowe 155km

Teams

Trek – Segafredo

1 Lizzie Deignan GBR
2 Audrey Cordon-Ragot FRA
3 Chloe Hosking AUS
4 Elisa Longo Borghini ITA
5 – –
6 Trixi Worrack GER
Canyon SRAM Racing

11 – –
12 Alice Barnes GBR
13 Hannah Barnes GBR
14 Elise Chabbey SUI
15 Ella Harris NZL
16 – –
SD Worx

21 Amy Pieters NED
22 Chantal van den Broek-Blaak NED
23 Elena Cecchini ITA
24 Christine Majerus LUX
25 Anna Shackley GBR
26 Demi Vollering NED
Alé BTC Ljubljana

31 Marta Bastianelli ITA
32 Eugenia Bujak SLO
33 Maaike Boogaard NED
34 – –
35 – –
36 Sophie Wright GBR
Team Coop – Hitec Products

41 Josie Nelson GBR
42 Caroline Andersson SWE
43 Pernille Feldmann NOR
44 Ingvild Gåskjenn NOR
45 Emma Boogaard NED
46 Mari Mohr NOR
AWOL O’Shea

51 Hannah Bayes GBR
52 Olivia Bent GBR
53 Connie Hayes GBR
54 Alice Lethbridge GBR
55 Phoebe Martin GBR
56 Francesca Morgans-Slader GBR
FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope

61 Eugénie Duval FRA
62 Clara Copponi FRA
63 Maëlle Grossetete FRA
64 Victorie Guilman FRA
65 Evita Muzic FRA
66 Jade Wiel FRA
Parkhotel Valkenburg

71 Mischa Bredewold NED
72 Femke Gerritse NED
73 Pien Limpens NED
74 Femke Markus NED
75 Amber van der Hulst NED
76 Kirstie van Haaften NED
CAMS – Basso Bikes

81 Hayley Simmonds GBR
82 Emma Edwards USA
83 Jessica Finney GBR
84 Natalie Grinczer GBR
85 Katie Scott GBR
86 Becky Storrie GBR
Liv Racing

91 – –
92 Sofia Bertizzolo ITA
93 Alison Jackson CAN
94 Jeanne Korevaar NED
95 Evy Kuijpers NED
96 Soraya Paladin ITA
Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Bank

101 Lauren Stephens USA
102 Tanja Erath GER
103 Veronica Ewers USA
104 Nicole Frain AUS
105 Nina Kessler NED
106 Abi Smith GBR
Drops – Le Col s/b TEMPUR.

111 Joss Lowden GBR
112 Anna Christian GBR
113 Dani Christmas GBR
114 April Tacey GBR
115 Alice Towers GBR
116 Maria Van’t Geloof NED
Movistar Team

121 Sheyla Gutierrez ESP
122 Aude Biannic FRA
123 Alicia González ESP
124 Jelena Erić SRB
125 Lourdes Oyarbide ESP
126 Gloria Rodríguez ESP
Valcar Travel & Service

131 Elisa Balsamo ITA
132 Chiara Consonni ITA
133 Ilaria Sanguineti ITA
134 Elena Pirrone ITA
135 – –
136 Margaux Vigie FRA
Team BikeExchange

141 Sarah Roy AUS
142 Teniel Campbell TTO
143 Jessica Allen AUS
144 Janneke Ensing NED
145 Ane Santesteban ESP
146 Lucy Kennedy AUS
Team DSM

151 Lorena Wiebes NED
152 Pfeiffer Georgi GBR
153 Megan Jastrab USA
154 Leah Kirchmann CAN
155 Juliette Labous FRA
156 Liane Lippert GER

All images ©CyclingShorts.cc | www.chrismaher.co.uk

Curlew Cup 2021 – HSBC-UK Women’s National Road Series Round 3

by | Sep 29, 2021

Bookend wins for Abi Smith now signed to [Team Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank] in a big bunch sprint into Stamfordham, Northumberland for the final round of the HSBC-UK Women’s National Road Series 2021. 

Glorious conditions welcomed the 80 or-so riders in this out of Season Curlew Cup. A little wind blowing kept the riders together as they made their way around the first of 2 larger circuits. The Ryals climb is the unique feature in this event and the 9th edition of the race proved a popular spot to watch the race unfold. 

Indeed, most of the action happened on the climb to the Prime for the Queen-of-the-Mountain competition with a string of riders breaking free on both occasions. Illi Gardner [CAMS-Basso] took full points on both ascends with Eilidh Shaw [Tofauti Everyone Active], Connie Hayes [AWOL O’Shea], Abi Smith & Natalie Grinczer [CAMS-Basso] wearing the leaders jersey vying for the points to. 

The second ascend and a much-reduced peloton saw the climbers breaking free for the longest break of the day up-to around 20 seconds through Matfen before been swallowed up going over the line for the penultimate small circuit against a cross-head-wind.

Around 35 riders held together into the final approach to the village where the road narrows through several twists and turns before sweeping left and over a little brow for a downward sprint to the line.

Charlotte Berry [Pro-Noctis Red Chilli Bikes-Heidi Kjeldsen] and April Tacey [Drops Le-Col supported by Tempur] pushed the winner all the way to the line for second and third places with Monica Greenwood [Macclesfield Wheelers] and Maddie Gammons [Jadan Vive-le-Velo] rounding out the top five places. 

“I wanted the break of six to go (second ascend of the Ryals) as I wasn’t comfortable for a sprint. I’m not a renowned sprinter. I wanted that break to go but unfortunately, we got caught. 

It was annoying! I thought about going at the last 10kms or so. 

So yeh! I went early, just got my head down [riding without a team around her]. 

Abi Smith

Winner Curlew Cup 2021, Team Breeze

Interview with Abi Smith – Curlew Cup Winner 2021

Post race interview with Abi Smith at the Curlew Cup after her winning ride. Questions asked by Larry Hickmott (VeloUK.net). Footage by Chris Maher (CyclingShorts.cc / chrismaher.co.uk)

Results

1. Abi Smith Team Breeze Finished Elite 100

2. Charlotte Berry Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes -… Finished 1st 85

3. April Tacey DROPS-LE COL SUPPORTED BY TEMP… Finished 1st 75

4. Monica Greenwood Macclesfield Wheelers Finished 2nd 66

5. Madeleine Gammons Jadan – Vive le Velo Finished 2nd 58

6. Eilidh Shaw Tofauti Everyone Active Finished 1st 51

7. Corinne Side Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes -… Finished 1st 45

8. Hannah Lancaster Loughborough Lightning – TRG Finished 2nd 39

9. Natalie Grinczer CAMS-Basso Finished 2nd 34

10. Francesca Morgans-Slader AWOL- O’Shea Finished 2nd 29

11. Lucy Lee Team LDN – Brother UK Finished 1st 25

12. Alice McWilliam Grinta Coaching Finished 2nd 21

13. Sian Botteley Brother U.K – Cycle Team OnFor… Finished 2nd 18

14. Lucy Gadd Storey Racing Finished 1st 15

15. Francesca Hall Loughborough Lightning – TRG Finished 1st 12

16. Isabel Darvill Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes -… Finished 1st 10

17. Gwenno Hughes Crimson Orientation Marketing … Finished 2nd 8

18. Suzetta Guerrini Team Watto-LDN Finished 2nd 6

19. Rachel Galler Saint Piran WRT Finished 2nd 4

20. Sophie Enever LVIV CYCLING TEAM (Womens) Finished 2nd 2

21. Miriam Jessett Vredestein Basso Finished 2nd 0

22. Lulu Bartlett Finished 2nd 0

23. Robyn Clay Otley CC Finished 2nd 0

24. Amy Graham Team Boompods Finished 2nd 0

25. Jasmine Jones Bianchi Dama Finished 2nd 0

26. Anya Tamplin HuntBikeWheels Finished 2nd 0

27. Beth Morrow Storey Racing Finished 1st 0

28. Helen Ralston Paceline RT Finished 1st 0

29. Polly Mason Team LDN – Brother UK Finished 2nd 0

30. Beth Maciver Torvelo Racing Finished 3rd 0

31. Illi Gardner CAMS-Basso Finished 1st 0

32. Melissa Greaves Crimson Orientation Marketing … Finished 2nd 0

33. Beth Harley-Jepson Jadan – Vive le Velo Finished 2nd 0

34. Erin Avill Storey Racing Finished 2nd 0

35. Kerry Middleton Team LDN – Brother UK Finished 1st 0

36. Katie Scott CAMS-Basso Finished 2nd 0

37. Lucy Ellmore SKODA DSI Cycling Academy Finished 1st 0

38. Olivia Bent AWOL- O’Shea Finished 2nd 0

39. Becky Storrie CAMS-Basso Finished 2nd 0

40. Charlotte Colclough Bianchi Dama Finished 2nd 0

41. Lauren Watson Team Boompods Finished 2nd 0

42. Daisy Barnes Brother U.K – Cycle Team OnFor… Finished 3rd 0

43. Emma Jeffers JRC-Shutt-Ridley Race Team Finished 1st 0

44. Alice Lethbridge AWOL- O’Shea Finished 2nd 0

45. Connie Hayes AWOL- O’Shea Finished 1st 0

46. Olivia Bentley Torelli-Assure-Cayman Islands Finished 2nd 0

47. Sophie Lankford Jadan – Vive le Velo Finished 1st 0

48. Nicole Coates Torelli-Assure-Cayman Islands Finished 2nd 0

49. Christina Wiejak Saint Piran WRT Finished 2nd 0

50. Phoebe Martin AWOL- O’Shea Finished 2nd 0

51. Holly MacMahon Bianchi Dama Finished 2nd 0

52. Amy Gornall Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes -… Finished 2nd 0

53. Jo Tindley Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes -… Finished Elite 0

54. Hannah Bayes AWOL- O’Shea Finished 2nd 0

55. Matea Deliu Team Watto-LDN Finished 2nd 0

56. Heather Mayer Team Watto-LDN Finished 2nd 0

57. Emma Edwards CAMS-Basso Finished 2nd 0

58. Jennifer Powell Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes -… Finished 1st 0

59. Ione Johnson Finished 0

60. Georgia Bullard Natural Greatness – Vib Sports Finished 2nd 0

61. Chloe Vickers Loughborough Lightning – TRG Finished 2nd 0

62. Dannielle Khan Isorex NoAqua Ladies Cycling T… Finished 2nd 0

63. Flora Knight Loughborough Lightning – TRG Finished 2nd 0

64. Jen McMahon Sub Rosa Finished 3rd 0

65. Meg Smith Loughborough Lightning – TRG Finished 2nd 0

66. Morgan Newberry SKODA DSI Cycling Academy Finished 2nd 0

67. Arianne Holland Forth Velo Finished 2nd 0

68. Sophie Earl Crimson Orientation Marketing … Finished 2nd 0

69. Sarah Briggs RFDA Finished 2nd 0

1 Illi Gardner CAMS-Basso

2 Eilidh Shaw Tofauti Everyone Active Finished

3 Connie Hayes AWOL- O’Shea

4 Abi Smith Team Breeze

5 Natalie Grinczer CAMS-Basso

Abi Smith Team Breeze

Pro-Noctis Red Chilli Bikes-Heidi Kjeldsen

1 Abi Smith U23 Team Breeze

2 April Tacey U23Drops Le-Col supported by Tempur

5 Natalie Grinczer CAMS-Basso

All images ©CyclingShorts.cc | www.chrismaher.co.uk

Chris Maher

Chris Maher

Photographer & Writer

Based in the North East of England; photographer Chris Maher specialises in sports photography with his main interests in Cycling and Super Bikes. Chris has covered sports events from local and national level right up to the Olympics for CyclingShorts.cc.
Website: www.ChrisMaher.co.uk

Interview – Abi Smith – Winner 2021 Curlew Cup

by | Sep 29, 2021

Interview with Abi Smith – Curlew Cup Winner 2021

Post race interview with Abi Smith at the Curlew Cup after her winning ride. Questions asked by Larry Hickmott (VeloUK.net). Footage by Chris Maher (CyclingShorts.cc / chrismaher.co.uk)

Post race interview with Abi Smith at the Curlew Cup after her winning ride.

 

Questions asked by Larry Hickmott (VeloUK.net).

Footage and images by Chris Maher (CyclingShorts.cc / chrismaher.co.uk)

Women’s Grasscrete Ryedale GP 2021 Gallery and Race Report

by | Aug 26, 2021

Round Two in both the Women’s & Men’s British Cycling National Road Series 2021 started in the grounds Ampleforth College with Ampleforth Abbey as the backdrop to a gruelling gritty 60 mile Women’s Race and 95 mile Men’s Race.

The usual early damp start welcomed around sixty-five riders to the start-line with a forecast of improving condition as the day went on. A circuit not for the fainthearted brought several tumbles & a splits into several groups on the earlier of the larger 2 circuits for the women.

With CAMS Basso Haley Simmonds & Pro-Noctus – Redchilli Bikes Jo Tindley setting the early pace & still a sizable group. The numbers dropped to around Thirty girls by the end of lap two.

An alliance formed on the smaller circuits when recently crowned Scottish Cycling’s National Women’s Champion Becky Storrie [Brother UK – Cycle Team OnForm] & Illi Gardner [CAMS Basso] forged ahead quickly establishing over a two minutes advantage.

With CAMS & OnForm out front, it was left to Storey Racing & AWOL-O’Shea to do the chasing.

The race approached the final drag up to the line with 500 metres remaining & a hefty lead for Storrie & Gardner. With two evenly matched riders – It was going to be the one with strongest legs that would take victory, and Gardner had the legs to finish it off for CAMS.

After a little wait. Pro-Noctis got a third place with Corrine Side for all their hard work whilst AWOL-O’Shea’s Francesca Morgans-Slader & Connie Hayes took fourth & fifth.

Preparing for the UCI World Mountain Bike Championships in Val di Sole, Italy 25-29 Aug, U23 Women’s Event Anna Kay took sixth.

CAMS-Basso’s Natalie Grinczer collected the Series Leaders Jersey going into the final round, the Curlew Cup in Northumberland on Sunday 26th September.

Speaking to Larry Hickmott (VeloUK.net) & myself after the race.

“This is probably my favourite National Series Race. I’ve been looking forward to it all year. I was nervous coming in. So, I’m really happy with the win.

It stayed together longer than I thought when it got to the Climbs it split, but then came back together.

We had a couple of goes to get away but it kept coming back. I sort of attacked coming up here [On the finish straight with 3 laps remaining.]”.

Illi Gardner

Winner Ryedale GP 2021 - U23 Rider, Team CAMS-Basso

Illi Gardner & Becky Storrie – Ryedale GP 2021 Interview by Cycling Shorts

Post race interview with Illi Gardner (U23 – CAMS-Basso)and Becky Storrie (Brother U.K – Cycle Team OnForm)after battling their way to the top two podium positions at the Ryedale GP 2021. Post race interview by Larry Hickmott (VeloUK.net) and Chris Maher (CyclingShorts.cc) Image by Chris Maher

“It was tough! It was my first-time doing Ryedale, but I hadn’t looked at the course. I’d heard all about it – thought it was right up my street.

I knew going in that I wanted to force a breakaway, especially with somebody like Illi – cos – in Capernwray (Road Race) we were in a breakaway there. So, I knew she would be the perfect person to ride away with”.  Going on to say about Illi “She was like a little Mountain Goat going up the climbs – I was struggling Lol”.

Becky Storrie

2nd Place Ryedale GP, Team Brother U.K – Cycle Team OnForm

Results

1 Illi Gardner (U23) CAMS-Basso 2:44:37

2 Becky Storrie Brother U.K – Cycle Team OnForm +4

3 Corinne Side (U23) Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes -Heidi Kjeldsen +2:12

4 Francesca Morgans-Slader AWOL OShea st

5 Connie Hayes (U23) AWOL OShea st

6 Anna Kay (U23) Team Rupelcleaning – Champion Lubricants st

7 Lucy Ellmore (U23) Skoda DSI Cycling Academy +2:15

8 Danielle Shrosbree Team LDN – Brother UK st

9 Natalie Grinczer CAMS-Basso st

10 Beth Morrow (U23) Storey Racing st

11 Nicole Coates (U23) Torelli-Assure-Cayman Islands-Scimitar +2:21

12 Morven Yeoman (JNR) Tofauti Everyone Active +2:27

13 Jo Tindley Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes -Heidi Kjeldsen st

14 Megan Barker CAMS-Basso +4:11

15 Eilidh Shaw (JNR) Tofauti Everyone Active +4:33

16 Jessica Finney CAMS-Basso +4:35

17 Lucy Gadd (U23) Storey Racing +4:36

18 Francesca Hall Loughborough Lightning TRG +4:38

19 Lucy Lee Team LDN – Brother UK st

20 Charlotte Colclough Bianchi Dama st

21 Alice McWilliam Grinta Coaching st

22 Alice Lethbridge AWOL OShea +4:40

23 Bexy Dew Saint Piran Womens +4:43

24 Hayley Simmonds CAMS-Basso +4:46

25 Matea Deliu Team Watto-LDN +4:50

26 Jessie Carridge Watts Up Performance +6:53

27 Samantha Stuart Crimson Orientation Marketing RT +8:23

28 Hannah Bayes (U23) AWOL OShea +11:32

29 Hannah Lancaster (U23) Loughborough Lightning TRG st

30 Poppy Thompson Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes -Heidi Kjeldsen +11:36

31 Imani Pereira-James (JNR) Brother U.K – Cycle Team OnForm st

32 Katie Scott (U23) CAMS-Basso +11:40

33 Heather Mayer Team Watto-LDN +11:43

34 Elizabeth Sanders Avid Sport +11:47

35 Jihanna Bonilla-Allard PMRR +12:52

36 Gemma Sargent Saint Piran Womens st

37 Jasmine Jones Bianchi Dama +12:55

38 Melissa Greaves Crimson Orientation Marketing RT +12:57

39 Holly MacMahon Bianchi Dama +13:09

40 Ellen Inglis (U23) Brother U.K – Cycle Team OnForm +13:48

41 Erin Murphy (JNR) Deeside Thistle CC +14:01

 

— Erin Avill Storey Racing Did not finish

— Alderney Baker Loughborough Lightning – TRG Did not finish

— Daisy Barnes Brother U.K – Cycle Team OnFor… Did not finish

—Olivia BentAWOL- O’SheaDid not finish

— Olivia Bentley Torelli-Assure-Cayman Islands Did not finish

—Charlotte BerryPro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes -…Did not finish

— Sian Botteley Brother U.K – Cycle Team OnFor… Did not finish

—Sarah BriggsRFDADid not finish

—Polly BurgeJadan – Vive le VeloDid not finish

—Anna ChristianDROPS-LE COL SUPPORTED BY TEMP…Did not start

—Francesca CuttsTeam LDN – Brother UKDid not finish

—Isabel DarvillTeam BoompodsDid not start

—Megan DickersonSKODA DSI Cycling Academy

— Sophie Earl Crimson Orientation Marketing … DNS

— Isabel Ellis Torelli-Assure-Cayman Islands Did not start

—Hannah FarranTeam BoompodsDid not finish

—Samantha FawcettPro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes -…Did not finish

—Olivia FrenchSKODA DSI Cycling AcademyDid not finish

—Madeleine GammonsJadan – Vive le VeloDid not finish

—Amy GornallPro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes -…Did not start

—Amy GrahamTeam BoompodsDid not finish

—Marine GuerinTeam Watto-LDNDid not finish

—Beth Harley-JepsonJadan – Vive le VeloDid not start

—Louise HartCampinense – Velo PerformanceDid not finish

—Maddie HeywoodTeam Watto-LDNDid not start

—Lauren HighamTeam LDN – Brother UKDid not finish

—Georgia HilleardTeam BoompodsDid not finish

—Anna Marie Hughes1904 RTDid not start

—Emma JeffersJRC-Shutt-Ridley Race TeamDid not finish

— Millie Jones Manilla Cycling Did not finish

—Dannielle KhanIsorex NoAqua Ladies Cycling T…Did not Finish

—Flora KnightLoughborough Lightning – TRGDid not finish

—Sophie LankfordJadan – Vive le VeloDid not start

—Abbie ManleyMontezuma’s Race TeamDid not start

—Amy MarksTeam LDN – Brother UKDid not start

—Phoebe MartinAWOL- O’SheaDid not finish

—Polly MasonTeam LDN – Brother UKDid not finish

—Ellen McDermottTeam BoompodsDid not finish

—Shona MosleyJRC-Shutt-Ridley Race TeamDid not start

—Georgina PanchaudBianchi DamaDid not start

—Georgina PaulRoss On Wye & District CCDid not finish

—Laura PittardBrother U.K – Cycle Team OnFor…Did not finish

—Jennifer PowellPro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes -…Did not finish

—Natasha ReddyBianchi DamaDid not start

—Rebecca RichardsSKODA DSI Cycling AcademyDid not finish

—Kate RichardsonDid not finish

—Louise ScuphamAWOL- O’SheaDid not finish

—Rebecca SealTorelli-Assure-Cayman IslandsDid not start

—Ruth ShierTeam LDN – Brother UKDid not finish

—Millie SkinnerPro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes -…Did not finish

—Meg SmithLoughborough Lightning – TRGDid not start

—Abbie TaylorSpectra Wiggle p/b VitusDid not start

—Sophie ThackrayCAMS-BassoDid not finish

—Vivienne TomlinAvid SportDid not finish

—Chloe VickersLoughborough Lightning – TRGDid not finish

—Christina WiejakSaint Piran WRTDid not finish

— Mary Wilkinson Crimson Orientation Marketing … Did not start

1 Natalie Grinczer CAMS-Basso 36

2 Illi Gardner CAMS-Basso 30

3 Abi Smith Team Breeze 30

4 Corinne Side Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes -Heidi Kjeldsen 30

5 Becky Storrie Brother U.K – Cycle Team OnForm 28

6 Ellen McDermott Team Boompods 28

7 Eluned King Team Breeze 26

8 Jo Tindley Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes -Heidi Kjeldsen 26

9 Francesca Morgans-Slader AWOL OShea 24

10 April Tacey Drops-Le Col supported by Tempur 24

11 Connie Hayes AWOL OShea 22

12 Danielle Shrosbree Team LDN – Brother UK 21

13 Anna Kay Team Rupelcleaning – Champion Lubricants 20

14 Amira Mellor Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus 20

​

All images ©CyclingShorts.cc | www.chrismaher.co.uk

Chris Maher

Chris Maher

Photographer & Writer

Based in the North East of England; photographer Chris Maher specialises in sports photography with his main interests in Cycling and Super Bikes. Chris has covered sports events from local and national level right up to the Olympics for CyclingShorts.cc.
Website: www.ChrisMaher.co.uk

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