National Trophy Take 2

When BUCS wrapped up on the Saturday, we visited the Lumiere festival in Durham then headed home to commence the bike washing before Sunday's national trophy. I have to admit there is probably only one thing I enjoy less than washing my bike, and that's doing it in the dark. Together with my Dad however, we managed to wash the bikes (practically by candlelight) and get everything ready for day 2.

I felt optimistic when I woke on Sunday. The conditions were the same as the previous day where I had raced well, so why couldn't I do that again? I felt I would almost have an advantage having ridden the course the day before so long as my legs could last the duration of the race. Although, one area I thought I could improve from Saturday was my warm up (or lack of!). Instead today, I dedicated a good 30 minutes to looping up and down the river side, getting the legs ready for the off.

Tackling the 'Durhamburg' 

I was gridded poorly from my previous venture into NT racing, but when the gun went I got the foot in straight away and immediately moved up into the top 5. For the first lap, I tried to maintain my position, through all of the carnage. The 180 degree turns on the top pitch were really sketchy when people battling for position and overtaking, and I saw 2 girls crash behind me. I just wanted to stay upright through that section. Myself and Delia Beddis had a good battle first lap until she took a new bike in the pits and I lost her. By the second lap, the top 4 girls were away and the real race started between places 5-8; jostling, undercutting and blocking was the name of the game. For a couple of laps I sat on the back of the 4 girl chain just watching all of the position swapping and trying to avoid crashing. I knew we wouldn't bring back the top 4, however we did put lots of time into the girls chasing behind.

Massive Boards! (Photo by Velo UK) 

With 2 laps to go, I moved from 6th to 5th on the stairs, nicely remounted and started riding. I took a little glance over my shoulder and realised I had opened a small bike and half length gap to Amira Mellor who was just behind. In my excitement, I attacked and started to open up even more of a gap with 3 girls chasing. At the one lap to go mark, Amira made it onto my wheel, I slotted in behind her, then Alexis joined us too. Hitting the stairs for the last time I was absolutely exhausted from my solo lap and at the top I missed my pedals, allowing both girls to sneak in front. As hard as I tried I couldn't catch them, however crossing the line in 7th place was a pretty nice feeling.

Top 10 was the dream in a NT this year, so to make 7th on only my second attempt was pretty satisfying. I would have struggled to have had such a good weekend, if it were not for the support from my Dad, Scott, Ted and Cyclocross magazine who helped in so many ways from being pit crew, helping me to wash my bike or give me little tips on how to ride the course better!

Happy! Crossing the line in 7th 

I can't wait for BUCS next year to defend the title and for the next round of the trophy in Milton Keynes in 2 weeks time.

Inter Area Championships; Prissick

Today was an extremely proud day. Only a little over a year after my first venture into the muddy world of cross I pulled on the North East jersey for the first time. The venue was Prissick, home to a new cycle circuit used for racing all through the year. I didn't expect much due to a cold, that had clung to me for the last week and a half, but I was willing to give it my all for the NE team.

The race had a different dynamic; teamwork came into play and immediately from the gun, the Yorkshire team who were the pre-race favorites took to the front. They formed a 4 rider chain occupying the first 4 places, which I clung to the back of. But, they were to be too strong, my lungs were screaming and I was coughing like crazy, I dropped off the back and was resigned to chasing on my own. In the end Yorkshire was by far the best team and they thoroughly deserved their win, taking

places 1-4 which left me in 5th. However, some fab performances by Bev, Michelle and Karen for the NE earned us the silver medal!

Proud to stand on the podium for the NE with Bev and Karen 

Gold, Gold, Silver and Gold

The British University Champs (BUCS) are held in Durham set against the beautiful setting of the cathedral and river. This year my university (Leeds) had many strong riders so we headed into the competition aiming high.

I got myself down to the start line early, as I knew how important a good start would be in race. 74 riders with men and women combined, I knew would allow me to 'hide' amongst the men if I could get away and establish an early lead. Bang, off we went. Foot in straight away, I sprinted flat out and made it into the top 12 or so boys approaching the first crucial corner, then it was up the steps and onto the top field were the technical turns began. I had gained a gap of about 15 seconds by the first lap and I knew I just needed to sustain the momentum for the next couple of laps.

I fought hard to extend my lead and by lap 2, the gap had stretched to 30 seconds. I added another 20 seconds in lap 3 and just tried to use the boys around me to draft me around the course. I felt comfortable, but knew I couldn't ease back too much, because the girls were still pushing on behind.

With one and a half laps to go, I could see the leading male riders catching me, so I eased right off the gas, and allowed them to overtake. Teammate Ed was battling with a rider from Manchester Met, so I cheered him on and rode happily through to the finish, listening intently to the battle between Ed and Alex Welburn for 1st place. Ed outsprinted Alex to take gold for Leeds, and I crossed the line immediately afterwards as the first placed female.

I was so happy to win, because the British University champs mean so much to student athletes. I had said to myself that I wanted to leave uni with a BUCS gold medal in something (like anything, if this cycling thing didn't work out I was going to start looking at more obscure sports. I had my eye on futsal or korfball). So to win with 3 years left at university feels quite strange, I thought I'd be chasing that gold for a lot longer....

To make the day even better, my teammate Kat Broadbent rode a superb race to finish 6th which earned us the team silver behind Birmingham University, whilst the boys showed their strength finishing 1st, 12th and 19th which was enough for the team gold! Double individual gold, team gold and silver, all I can say is: LEEDS, LEEDS, LEEDS!!!