by Chris Maher | Apr 29, 2014
All images ©www.chrismaher.co.uk
Heather Bamforth switched her bike for a mic and was reporting on the event, you might spot her carrying out the interviews at the end of the race.
Women’s Results
1 – 13 Katie Archibald Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International 2:30:20
2 – 15 Hayley Jones Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International @ 1:31
3 – 42 Laura Trott Wiggle Honda @ 1:45
4 – 16 Nicola Juniper Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International @ 1:47
5 – 46 Lowri Devey Abergavenny Road Club st
6 – 81 Lydia Gurley Merlin Cycles st
7 – 17 Gabriella Shaw Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International st
8 – 20 Katie Curtis Starley Primal Pro Cycling st
9 – 5 Molly Weaver Epic Cycles – Scott WRT st
10 – 2 Anna Christian Epic Cycles – Scott WRT st
11 – 19 Jane Barr Starley Primal Pro Cycling st
12 – 12 Jessie Walker Matrix Fitness – Vulpine st
13 – 32 Clemence Copie Team Mulebar Girl – Sigma Sport st
14 – 66 Elizabeth Holden RST Racing Team st
15 – 26 Natalie Grinczer Fusion Racing Team st
16 – 56 Lydia Boylan Velosport – Pasta Montegrappa st
17 – 83 Rebecca Womersley WyndyMilla – Reynolds st
18 – 10 Penny Rowson Matrix Fitness – Vulpine st
19 – 67 Eve Dixon Team 22 st
20 – 3 Alexie Shaw Epic Cycles – Scott WRT st
21 – 44 Tamina Oliver Endura Lady Force – WV Zeeuws Vlaanderen st
22 – 36 Tamiko Butler WyndyMilla – Reynolds st
23 – 78 Alice Cobb Squadra Donne st
24 – 11 Jo Tindley Matrix Fitness – Vulpine st
25 – 73 Alice Barnes T-Mo Racing st
26 – 58 Jennifer Hudson VC St Raphael st
27 – 60 Vanessa Whitfield VC St Raphael st
28 – 54 Helen Ralston Les Filles Racing Team st
29 – 45 Lucy Chittenden East St Cycles / WyndyMilla-Reynolds st
30 – 28 Mathilde Pauls Fusion Racing Team st
31 – 24 Jennifer Taylor Starley Primal Pro Cycling st
32 – 25 George Schwiening Fusion Racing Team st
33 – 33 Natalie Creswick Team Mulebar Girl – Sigma Sport st
34 – 14 Lauren Creamer Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International st
35 – 1 Karla Boddy Epic Cycles – Scott WRT @ 2:01
36 – 47 Joanne Blakeley GB Cycles.co.uk st
37 – 72 Maryka Sennema Kingston Whls CC st
38 – 43 Emma Trott Boels Dolmans @ 2:12
39 – 18 Dame Sarah Storey Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International st
40 – 8 Corrine Hall Matrix Fitness – Vulpine @ 2:34
41 – 34 Louise Mahe Team Mulebar Girl – Sigma Sport OTL
42 – 7 Louise Borthwick Matrix Fitness – Vulpine OTL
43 – 48 Iona Sewell GB Cycles.co.uk OTL
44 – 6 Hannah Walker Epic Cycles – Scott WRT OTL
45 – 4 Emily Kay Epic Cycles – Scott WRT OTL
46 – 80 Gina Riley Chester RC OTL
47 – 71 Elanor Cadzow Bonito Squadra Corse OTL
48 – 65 Annasley Park RST Racing Team OTL
49 – 30 Amy Hill Fusion Racing Team OTL
50 – 86 Victoria Grimmer Paramount CRT OTL
51 – 52 Nikki Engelbach Les Filles Racing Team OTL
52 – 79 Ruth Taylor Manchester Whlrs Club OTL
53 – 35 Adel Tyson-Bloor Team Mulebar Girl – Sigma Sport OTL
54 – 27 Elizabeth Malins Fusion Racing Team OTL
55 – 64 Lauren O’Brien RST Racing Team OTL
56 – 57 Hayley Simmonds Velosport – Pasta Montegrappa OTL
57 – 53 Nicole Oh Les Filles Racing Team OTL
58 – 59 Eleanor Jones VC St Raphael OTL
59 – 38 Cassie McGoldrick WyndyMilla – Reynolds OTL
DNF – 74 Flora Gillies Speg – Project 51 DNF
DNF – 62 Lucy Harper Bike Pure-LeMond-Aspire Velotech DNF
DNF – 61 Sophie Black Bike Pure-LeMond-Aspire Velotech DNF
DNF – 82 Frances White Team Jadan DNF
DNF – 75 Anda-Jay Burgess Rock And Road Cycles DNF
DNF – 49 Nicola Soden GB Cycles.co.uk DNF
DNF – 76 Rachel Przybylski WyndyMilla DNF
DNF – 63 Paige Milward Bike Pure-LeMond-Aspire Velotech DNF
DNF – 39 Keira McVitty WyndyMilla – Reynolds DNF
DNF – 31 Emily Barnes Team Mulebar Girl – Sigma Sport DNF
DNF – 29 Gillian Taylor Fusion Racing Team DNF
DNF – 37 Mary Costello WyndyMilla – Reynolds DNF
DNF – 21 Lyndsey Glazier Starley Primal Pro Cycling DNF
DNF – 69 Lauren Brown Team Jadan DNF
DQ – 40 Hannah Payton WyndyMilla – Reynolds DQ
DNS – 9 Harriet Owen Matrix Fitness – Vulpine DNS
DNS – 22 Anneliese Heard Starley Primal Pro Cycling DNS
DNS – 23 Eileen Roe Starley Primal Pro Cycling DNS
DNS – 41 Joanna Rowsell Wiggle Honda DNS
DNS – 50 Brit Tate GB Cycles.co.uk DNS
DNS – 51 Delia Beddis Les Filles Racing Team DNS
DNS – 55 Bryony Board Velosport – Pasta Montegrappa DNS
DNS – 68 Jennifer Edwards Team 22 DNS
DNS – 70 Kayleigh Brogan Team Thomsons Cycles DNS
DNS – 77 Laura Wasley Isle Of Man Cycling Association DNS
Highest 2nd Cat: Nicola Juniper (Pearl Izumi)
Intermediate Sprint: Katie Archibald (Pearl Izumi)
La Bataille Prize (Most aggressive rider): Hayley Jones (Pearl Izumi)
Team: Pearl Izumi-Sports Tours International.
by Heather Bamforth | Apr 29, 2013
Andy Wood of Weaver Valley Cycling Club has achieved many things in his first year as organiser of arguably the biggest and most hotly contested women’s race on the domestic calendar – the Cheshire Classic. Not only did he source amazing sponsors in Epic Cycles, Delamere Dairy, De Vere Hotels and Roberts Bakery, as well as support from the Breeze Network and Halfords, but he also managed to persuade British Cycling to get their act together with the Accredited Marshals Scheme that has been promised for so long.
Closed roads for a road race are pretty much unheard of – for a start it costs too much, and when, as an organiser, you are often pushed to the limit financially to put your event on, then road closures are the last thing on your list. It also depends on where your course goes too – and the Cheshire Classic goes up and down a bypass, so the local council are never going to go for that. However, with Accredited Marshals comes a new concept – stopping the traffic with lollipop signs but instead of them saying “Stop! Children!” the say “Stop! Cyclists!”
The first thing that I noticed on the way to the headquarters, was the large number of “Caution! Cycle Event!” signs on your approach to the bypass. This meant that drivers had warning from an early stage that there was an event on – not a small side hiding in a grass verge – but a sign on every lamp post in the couple of hundred metres leading up to the area where the accredited marshals were going to be in place, so drivers had no excuse. The next tell tale sign was “Traffic Control Ahead” which is probably what the drivers didn’t want to see!
How did it affect the race? Well there were two main sticking points on the course – firstly the entry on to the bypass – this is a single carriageway bypass, with no central reservation and cars will speed down that section of road so it is very dangerous. The presence of the accredited marshals meant that the bunch was able to enter the main road from the sweeping left-hand bend without worrying about oncoming traffic. The second tricky place was the main climb, where the finish is, “The Cliff” on Acton Lane, where the gradient gets steeper towards the top. Again, the presence of the accredited marshals meant that cars had to stop at the top of the climb whilst the riders came through, which also meant that all of the road was used (until you came around the bend to find the stopped car!)
© Ed Rollason Photography
It was a classic Cheshire Classic, with Karla Boddy of MG Maxifuel taking the win in a tight sprint finish with Emma Grant of Matrix Fitness. A superb ride by Karla, who was understandably emotional at the finish! But, in my humble opinion, there was another star in the making – it was Andy Wood’s first solo attempt at organising a bike race, which was one of the most well-organised events I have been able to attend. I only hope that the riders appreciate all the hard work and effort he put into the event to make it such a great success.
by Heather Bamforth | Feb 1, 2013
Delamere Dairy, producers of goats and soya milk products, has signed up as a major new sponsor for the 2013 Cheshire Classic Women’s Road Race. Delamere Dairy, whose products are sold nationwide in supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsburys, will sponsor the Sprint Prize Competition on Sunday 28th April.
Race Organiser Andy Wood commented “this is a major signing for the Cheshire Classic, it’s great to have a company which is a key employer locally and one that has national exposure too. It’s also a good indication of how far Women’s cycling has come, the Olympics has really inspired people and we hope this year’s race will add to that”.
Patrick Brunt, Sales & Marketing Director at Delamere Dairy commented “getting involved with the Cheshire Classic was a no-brainer. Not only are investing in the local community but we produce, high quality, healthy products and being a long standing race with a great reputation it was the perfect match. Cycling is a great way to get our brand across”.
There is a lot to be said about goats’ milk and soya products; lower in cholesterol, high in calcium and small fat globules make it easier to digest. Delamere Dairy will be on hand on race day with some samples to try.
The news follows the recent announcements of Breeze, Epic Cycles and Halfords’ support of the race. The race takes place on Sunday 28th April in Northwich, and is organised by Weaver Valley Cycling Club. Entries are now open with a large number of entries already submitted from around the UK. Last year’s edition was won by Paralympic superstar Sarah Storey with previous winners including silver Olympic medallist Lizzie Armitstead, Nicole Cooke and two time Junior World Champion Lucy Garner.
As part of their new strategy you can follow the build up to the Cheshire Classic on Twitter (@cheshireclassic) and Facebook alongside a brand new website at www.cheshireclassic.co.uk
by Heather Bamforth | Jan 14, 2013
Epic Cycles have announced that they will be supporting the Cheshire Classic Women’s Road Race in 2013 by sponsoring the Team Prize Competition. The Team Prize Competition is a brand new addition to the race for 2013 and sees Epic Cycles, the UK’s leading dedicated road bike store, increase their sponsorship in the race.
Race Organiser Andy Wood commented “to have Epic back on board is a great boost to the Cheshire Classic; they are great supporters of Women’s cycling. After last year’s race we asked riders for their feedback and it was very clear that a Team Prize competition was at the top of the agenda and Epic has allowed us to do that”.
Epic Cycle’s sponsorship of the Cheshire Classic isn’t their only involvement in Women’s cycling; they are part sponsor to the Scott Contessa Epic cycling team which has nurtured new talent such as Junior World Time Trial Champion Elinor Barker, Molly Weaver and riders Beth Crumpton and Amy Roberts who went on to join the Great Britain Cycling Team.
Phil Weaver of Epic Cycles commented “to be returning to the Cheshire Classic is great, it’s a prestigious race which is perfect for us as a quality brand. We are totally dedicated in supporting women’s cycling in the UK both through the race and the Scott Contessa Epic team”.
The news follows the announcement of Breeze’s support of the Cheshire Classic. The race takes place on Sunday 28th April in Northwich, and is organised by Weaver Valley Cycling Club. Entries are now open with a large number of entries already submitted from around the UK. Last year’s edition was won by Paralympic superstar Sarah Storey with previous winners including silver Olympic medallist Lizzie Armitstead, Nicole Cooke and two time Junior World Champion Lucy Garner.
As part of their new strategy you can follow the build up to the Cheshire Classic on Twitter (@cheshireclassic) and Facebook alongside a brand new website at www.cheshireclassic.co.uk
by Heather Bamforth | Nov 29, 2012
With a new title sponsor on board in the British Cycling women’s network, Breeze, an updated website (www.cheshireclassic.co.uk) and a Twitter campaign (@cheshireclassic), together with the race being pushed back to the second event in the National Women’s Road Race Series, it is all change in 2013.
Andy Wood, the event’s organiser on behalf of Weaver Valley Cycling Club, has forwarded the press release to me for sharing to our readers:
“Breeze supports new look 2013 Cheshire Classic
“After an incredible summer of women’s cycling, the Cheshire Classic Women’s Road Race launched its 2013 campaign by announcing that British Cycling’s Breeze network is to be an event partner.
“With cycling becoming more and more popular in the UK the Cheshire Classic wants to make the most of the opportunity to encourage more women to ride their bikes. Funded by the National Lottery via Sport England, Breeze is the biggest programme ever to get more women into riding bikes for fun.
“The Cheshire Classic takes place a week later than usual this year on Sunday 28th April in Northwich, and is organised by Weaver Valley Cycling Club. Last year’s edition was won by Paralympic superstar Sarah Storey with previous winners including Olympic Silver medallist Lizzie Armitstead, Nicole Cooke and two time Junior World Champion Lucy Garner.
Network Manager at Breeze, Natalie Justice replied “our partnership with the Cheshire Classic was a no brainer; a reputable race with great heritage to inspire more women to get out on their bike, at whatever level. The race is a fantastic way to raise awareness on a National level”.
Organiser Andy Wood commented “the potential growth of Women’s cycling is huge. There is a lot to think about from which bike to get, to what clothing, to getting fit to join a club – it can all be quite intimidating. A major goal for me is to use the race to help people out, we’re bringing on board partners to help us provide advice and Breeze was the perfect fit”.
“The race also sees a brand new identity alongside a redeveloped website which includes a dedicated area with tips and advice from Sarah Storey, Lucy Garner & Hannah Walker. The area offers support to riders from grass roots to those wanting to start racing.
“We are hoping that 2013 will be the best yet, some of the most exciting racing at the Olympics was in the Women’s races and we want to build on the back of that. We are looking to add new features and more prize money to the race, every single penny raised is invested back into the race”.
As part of their new strategy you can follow the build up to the Cheshire Classic on Twitter (@cheshireclassic) and Facebook. Race entries are now open to riders.”
If you feel that racing is a step too far at the moment, you can find more about the Breeze network below:
British Cycling’s Breeze is the biggest programme ever to get more women into riding bikes for fun. Our aim is to help thousands more women feel confident and comfortable about going on a ride. Breeze is part of British Cycling’s programme of free bike rides, information and support designed to help and inspire women of all ages and abilities to re-discover the fun of bike riding. It has never been easier to get back on a bike as the Breeze network offers some great information, advice and support on a wide range of topics including access to cycle hire, someone to ride with and safe routes in their local area.
To join a Breeze bike ride in your area, register at www.breezebikerides.com or contact the Breeze network at British Cycling on 0161 274 2117.
by Heather Bamforth | Feb 29, 2012
Marianne Britten
Interview with the Team Captain of VC St Raphael Women’s Team and lead British Cycling points scorer for Elite Women in 2010 and 2011.
How did you get into cycling?
As a youngster I grew up riding horses and used to compete in tetrathlon, that’s swimming, running, horse-riding and shooting at Pony Club. That ends when you reach 21 so I was looking for another sport similar so ended up trying triathlon. I quickly realised that cycling was the most fun out of all the disciplines and so started to focus on that with a local bike club. I quickly fell in love with the whole sport and so here I am. I never tire of striving to achieve more, cycling is a great leveller so you never quite feel like you’ve conquered everything, leaving you thirsty for more.
You work full time but still manage to be successful on the bike – how do you manage your time?
Managing my time is very difficult. Some years I have reduce my hours over the season to give myself a break but then it’s still not easy and I have raced the last 2 seasons having worked full time. I’m very lucky to work for such an understanding group of people as they are very flexible with me allowing me to work from home and flex my hours so that I can train and race. I love my job and it’s the reason why I have never tried to be a full-time bike rider, for me I have to have other things in my life other than riding the bike. My partner Jason also helps me out a great deal and is often ferrying me around to races…allowing me to sleep on the way!
You’ve won many races and have a number of National Champion jerseys – which would you say is your proudest achievement and why?
The Masters titles I have won mean a great deal to me but my proudest moments have come this year taking the sprinters jersey at the Bedford 2-day and getting on the podium at the Hillingdon GP, finally perhaps putting myself on the radar as a sprinter. I always take pleasure in doing the best I can and if a result comes from that then that’s a bonus.
What would you say to anybody who is thinking of starting racing, especially as it can be daunting getting on a start line for the first time? Any top tips?
First of all I can’t stress how important it is to develop your bunch riding skills before attempting to race, going out with a local bike club is a good way to learn some of these skills and gain confidence of riding with people around you and at speeds you wouldn’t by yourself. There are also a few Women’s training sessions that you can attend which are excellent. Then when you are confident, try to pick races that are within your reach to start with, perhaps local women’s races, don’t try to take on too much too soon as you can easily find yourself out of your depth both in terms of speed and technique. Always be realistic about your ability and recognise your strengths, some riders are better over hilly terrain and some are better at sprinting. Recognising these and targeting races to suit you will mean you will have positive experiences and enjoy the sport more. Don’t be swayed to do every race on the calendar just because everyone else is, be confident in your own training and race plan and stick with it. Most importantly it’s about your sport being fun.
Is there any advice in particular that you have been given over the years which has helped you to succeed that you could share with us?
I read a book once by Lance Armstrong, one of his quotes was that “pain is in the moment but failure is forever”. That’s something that has stayed with me and I try to remember when I am racing. Being the best that I can be is what I strive for so I train hard to save myself from disappointment.
Do you have any sporting heroes? Do you see anything in them that you could model yourself on?
I did a bike race a few years ago where a certain Lizzie Armistead rode and lapped the field twice. I witnessed first hand something special that day and hopefully she will pull on a rainbow jersey one day. I’d like to think like her I have some steely determination and a bit of a sprint at the end….just a little less of her talent!
Do you have a favourite event or circuit? What about the event/circuit do you like so much?
My favourite circuit has to be one local to me, at Thruxton Motor circuit. I love the circuit because it’s tough with the rise before the finish and can be very fast in places. When I heard that the National Master Road Race was being held there instead of the original road circuit I knew I was in with a chance at winning the title I’d been after for 4years, which I did and was delighted.
You have recently become the official Team Captain to the VC St Raphael Women’s Team, which in itself is one of the new kids on the block. How do you see the team evolving?
I’m excited and honoured at taking on that role, other teams have asked me to captain them over the last few years but I’ve not felt ready until now. I hope that I can lead the team to work together and get results. We now have a strong mix of riders covering track, road and time trials. It is a great mix of youth and experience and we have some exciting new talent joining the team as well as the hard core from last year. Having had 2 excellent training weekends over the winter I think we are ready to test our legs and get working together as a team, Cheshire Classic will be our first event.
Do you have any aspirations for the 2012 season?
Mainly I want the team to get some results and work together, a result for a teammate means just as much. I’d like to defend my National titles and perhaps the sprinters jersey at Bedford 2-day again.
Where would you like to be in two years’ time?
I’d like to be still riding my bike and enjoying it, perhaps with a World or European Masters title to my name.
