Chris Maher, Author at CyclingShorts.cc

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

by Chris Maher | 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 Chris Maher | 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
							Base Speed	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

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

Anna Magrath

Editor & Writer

Anna Magrath founded CyclingShorts.cc in 2008 and invited some of her cycling friends; coaches, photographers, writers and pro cyclists of different disciplines to join her, bringing you all things cycling related.

Over the years Anna has supported grass roots cycling events, riders and teams. Anna has a particular interest in Track, Road, womens cycling, recreational cycling and cycling related art. She has reported from the top cycle races on the world calendar including the Tour de France, Olympics, World Cups & World Championships.

Want to get involved? Why not get in touch.

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Beaumont Trophy – HSBC-UK National Road Series Round 3

by Chris Maher | Sep 29, 2021

With legs on fire and good form from winning the AJ Bell Tour of Britain Skoda King of the Mountains & Eisberg Sprint competitions – Jacob Scott [Canyon DHB Sungod] sprints to victory in the final round of the HSBC-UK National Road Series Beaumont Trophy in Stamfordham, Northumberland fending off Alexandar Richardson [Alpecin-Fenix] as the two go clear on the final small circuit.

It was a tail of two-halves. The front half of the race, and the chasing peloton at times around the 182km course.

Four riders broke free in the first couple of kilometres with five more catching on including series leader Jacob Scott [Canyon DHB Sungod], Cameron Jeffers [Ribble Weldtite Pro Cyling], Owain Roberts [Wales Racing Acadamy], Ross Holland, Bradley Symonds [Saint Piran], Joseph Rees [Bikestrong KTM], Julian Roche [Richardson-Trek DAS], Jordan Peacock [Spirt Bontrager BSS Rotor].

Toby Jarvis [Team PB Performance] bridged across and a stable breakaway built up a lead gaining up-to three-minutes by the 70km marker.

Owain Roberts claimed the King of the Mountain points ascending the Ryals on the first couple of occasions.

By the third ascend, the lead had dropped, but the chasing peloton were strung out in a thin line. Matt Gibson [Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling] and Alex Richardson [Alpecin-Fenix] were well placed towards the front of affairs.

One final big circuit saw the original leaders caught, but another counter attack threw eight more riders into the mix including Scott & three team-mates including Robert Scott. This time joined by Richardson, Matthew King [Team PB Performance] & Zeb Kyffin [Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling] and Gibson.

Scott & Richardson forged ahead on the final small circuit to battle the win with a larger group building for the final podium place sprint. Matt Gibson led the remaining leading group across the line ahead of Ross Lamb [SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling] getting in on the mix. King finished fifth. Team Inspired’s Alfie George brought the bunch over the line and was the best U23 on the day.

“When you are on good form, you don’t want to throw away the race. I’ve made the most of it in the last few weeks”. [after the Tour of Britain].

Jacob Scott

Winner, Canyon DHB Sungod

Results

1. Jacob Scott Canyon DHB Sungod Finished Elite 100

2. Alexandar Richardson Alpecin-Fenix Finished Elite 85

3. Matthew Gibson Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling Finished Elite 75

4. Ross Lamb SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling Finished 1st 66

5. Matthew King Team PB Performance Finished Elite 58

6. Maximilian Stedman Canyon DHB Sungod Finished Elite 51

7. Robert Scott Canyon DHB Sungod Finished Elite 45

8. Zeb Kyffin Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling Finished Elite 39

9. Tom Mazzone Saint Piran Finished 1st 34

10. Alfred George Team Inspired Finished Elite 29

11. Gruffudd Lewis Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling Finished 1st 25

12. Joe Hill UpShift Nutrition Race Team Finished 1st 21

13. Isaac Mundy Richardsons Trek DAS Finished Elite 18

14. Aaron Freeman Richardsons Trek DAS Finished 2nd 15

15. Joshua Price Spirit Bontrager BSS Rotor Finished 2nd 12

16. Sebastian Garry Nopinz Motip Race Team Finished 1st 10

17. Matti Dobbins RT23 Finished 1st 8

18. Finn Crockett Wheelbase CabTech Castelli Finished Elite 6

19. William Bjergfelt SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling Finished Elite 4

20. Isaac Peatfield Crimson Orientation Marketing … Finished 1st 2

21. William Perrett Spellman – Dublin Port Track T… Finished 1st 0

22. James Jobber Kuwait Pro Cycling Team Finished 1st 0

23. Joe Holt Wales Racing Academy Finished 1st 0

24. Euan Macleod Canyon DHB Sungod Finished 2nd 0

25. David Hird Halesowen A & CC Academy Finished 1st 0

26. Cameron Mason TRINITY Road Racing Finished 3rd 0

27. Jamieson Blain BIKESTRONG-KTM Finished 1st 0

28. Joseph Bennett Netllar Telecom-Alé Finished 2nd 0

29. George Wood Cycling Sheffield Finished 1st 0

30. Michael Chadwick Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy Finished 1st 0

31. Peter Cocker Richardsons Trek DAS Finished Elite 0

32. Cameron Jeffers Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling Finished 1st 0

33. Matthew Houlberg Meudon Pedal Heaven Le Col RT Finished 2nd 0

34. Samuel Painter TBW23 Stuart Hall Cycling Finished 1st 0

35. Conor McGoldrick Primera-TeamJobs Finished Elite 0

36. Jacques Coates Team PB Performance Finished 2nd 0

37. Owain Roberts Wales Racing Academy Finished 1st 0

38. Cameron Orr Team Inspired Finished Elite 0

39. Daniel McDermott Finished Elite 0

40. Matt Clarke Wheelbase CabTech Castelli Finished 2nd 0

41. Frazier Carr Spirit Bontrager BSS Rotor Finished 1st 0

42. George Kimber Spirit Bontrager BSS Rotor Finished 1st 0

43. Dean Watson Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy Finished 1st 0

44. Joseph Rees BIKESTRONG-KTM Finished 1st 0

45. Miles Burton ysixfiles Finished 2nd 0

46. Julian Roche Creuse Oxygène Gueret Finished 2nd 0

47. Oscar Hutchings Team Tor 2000 Kalas Finished Elite 0

48. Toby Jarvis Team PB Performance Finished 1st 0

49. Oliver Maxwell Saint Piran Finished 1st 0

50. William Scott Richardsons Trek DAS Finished Elite 0

51. Samuel Clark TBW23 Stuart Hall Cycling Finished 1st 0

52. Adam Mitchell Crimson Orientation Marketing … Finished 1st 0

53. Christopher Latham SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling Finished 1st 0

54. Jack Freeman Meudon Pedal Heaven Le Col RT Finished Elite 0

55. Damien Clayton Canyon DHB Sungod Finished Elite 0

56. George Peden Team PB Performance Finished 1st 0

57. Ross Holland Saint Piran Finished 1st 0

58. Leon Mazzone Saint Piran Finished 1st 0

59. Bradley Symonds Saint Piran Finished 1st 0

60. Steve Lampier Saint Piran Finished Elite 0

61. Steven Parsonage Richardsons Trek DAS Finished 1st 0

62. Logan Maclean Wheelbase CabTech Castelli Finished 1st 0

1 Jacob Scott Canyon DHB Sungod

2 Maximilian Stedman Canyon DHB Sungod

3 Finn Crockett Wheelbase CabTech Castelli

Finn Crockett Wheelbase CabTech Castelli

Canyon DHB Sungod

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

Chris Maher

Photographer & Writer

Anna Magrath

Editor & Writer

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

by Chris Maher | 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 9^th 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

Chris Maher

Photographer & Writer

AJ Bell Tour of Britain – Yves Lampaert Takes Edinburgh Stage Win

by Chris Maher | Sep 11, 2021

SATURDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2021

YVES LAMPAERT TAKES EDINBURGH STAGE WIN IN AJ BELL TOUR OF BRITAIN

Belgian rider Yves Lampaert took Deceuninck – Quick-Step’s first victory of the AJ Bell Tour of Britain in Edinburgh on Saturday at the end of a stage dominated by a six-man breakaway group.

Lampaert outsprinted Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar Team) and Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling’s Matt Gibson in the world-famous Holyrood Park after the trio broke away on the outskirts of the Scottish capital.

INEOS Grenadiers rider Ethan Hayter finished safely within the peloton to retain his overall lead and move to within a day of becoming the first British winner of the national tour in five years. Hayter has also sealed the Sportsbreaks.com Points jersey with an insurmountable lead going into the final stage, providing he finishes the race.

It was a good day all round because we kept the jersey and have one day left to go. Having a strong team is probably more important than being a strong rider at the end of the day like today – Richie [Porte] and Owain [Doull] have ridden on the front for the past two days, which is pretty impressive,

It’s probably going to kick off tomorrow, it always does on the last day of a stage race. I’ll do my best to beat Wout if it does come to a sprint.

Ethan Hayter

Tour of Britain Race Leader, INEOS Grenadiers

Lampaert, Jorgenson and Gibson had been part of a six-rider group that broke away early on the stage from Hawick, along with Lampaert’s Deceuninck – Quick-Step teammate Davide Ballerini, Pascal Eenkhoorn (Jumbo Visma), and TRINITY Racing’s Christopher Blevins.

The sextet built a lead of nearly 10 minutes and were allowed their head coming into Edinburgh as INEOS Grenadiers controlled the gap to ensure the race didn’t come back together and that Wout van Aert (Jumbo Visma) couldn’t collect any time bonuses to threaten Hayter’s lead.

Blevins was the first to be distanced with 20 kilometres to go on an unclassified climb out of Ford before Lampaert attacked with 8.5 kilometres to go splitting the group. Jorgenson reacted first to get onto the former Belgian champion’s wheel with Gibson putting in a concerted effort to then get across to the pair reaching them with five kilometres remaining.

It was quite nervy. There were three of us in the lead, so it’s always difficult to finish it off. But I took the wheel of Gibson – I heard on the radio that he was quite fast. I did quite a long sprint; I started at 250 [metres] to go and I held it to the line.

I’m really happy. I’ve worked to a make a lot of team victories but today I could finish it off for myself. That’s a huge relief. Every victory has a special place in my heart, and it’s not that I win every week, so I’m really happy.

Yves Lampaert

Stage 7 Winner, Deceuninck – Quick-Step

The trio then worked well to distance Eenkhoorn and Ballerini but coming into Holyrood Park it was the Ribble Weldtite rider on the front with his two World Tour rivals using their experience to force Gibson to lead out the sprint to the line.

Jacob Scott (Canyon dhb SunGod) retains both the ŠKODA King of the Mountains and Eisberg Sprints jerseys and will win both providing he finishes Sunday’s stage.

The AJ Bell Tour of Britain concludes with Stage Eight from Stonehaven to Aberdeen over 173 kilometres (107.6 miles) including the famous ŠKODA King of the Mountains climb of Cairn o’Mount early in the stage plus intermediate Eisberg Sprints, with their time bonuses, at Finzean, Aboyne, and Ballater.

In addition to hosting the final stage of the 2021 AJ Bell Tour of Britain, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire will host the opening stage of the 2022 Tour with Scotland’s continuing support of the AJ Bell Tour of Britain Tour of Britain signalling the country’s commitment to hosting world-class racing ahead of the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds in the country.

Results

STAGE 7 RESULTS

AJ BELL LEADER'S JERSEY

SPORTSBREAKS.COM POINTS JERSEY

SKODA KING OF THE MOUNTAINS JERSEY

EISBERG SPRINTS JERSEY

TEAM CLASSIFICATION

Tour of Britain - Round 8 Preview

The Aberdeenshire coastal town of Stonehaven will play host to the stage start, with the route also featuring a much-anticipated ascent of the famed Cairn o’Mount climb in the opening kilometres.

This year’s overall winner will be crowned on Aberdeen’s picturesque Esplanade after a scenic and challenging route. Building on the success of the Tour Series, which has taken place in Aberdeen City since 2017, the UK’s biggest and longest-running international cycle race is also planned to host the following year’s Grand Départ in the region.

Chris Maher

Photographer & Writer

AJ Bell Tour of Britain Stage 6 – Wout Van Aert takes win at Gateshead

by Chris Maher | Sep 11, 2021

FRIDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2021

WOUT VAN AERT STRIKES BACK AT GATESHEAD FINISH OF AJ BELL TOUR OF BRITAIN

A day after losing the AJ Bell Tour of Britain race lead, Belgian star Wout van Aert struck back by winning stage six in the shadow of the Angel of the North sculpture in Gateshead.

The Belgian national champion sprinted home ahead of Ethan Hayter (INEOS Grenadiers) and Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) as a 10-rider group contested the finish after a thrilling finale on the roads into Gateshead that saw multiple riders trying to go clear for the stage victory.

Hayter retains his race lead, although now trimmed to just four seconds over van Aert [Team Jumbo Visma] thanks to the time bonus at the finish line, with Alaphilippe slipping back slightly to plus 21 seconds.

It’s great to keep the jersey. The gap is now four seconds so if he [van Aert] wins the race on time bonuses there’s not much we can do about it. I’m happy to be leading the Tour of Britain still, it’s amazing.

It all kicked off with about 15 kilometres to go on that climb and actually I wasn’t playing it cool. I was on the limit, but Carlos [Rodriguez] kind of saved me because otherwise I would’ve been open to a lot more attacks. He was closing stuff and setting a good tempo, and, in the end, it put everyone off attacking, especially in the last couple of kilometres.

To keep the jersey and be second on the stage is a very good result for me and I’m looking forward to the next two days.

Ethan Hayter

Tour of Britain Race Leader, INEOS Grenadiers

The group of ten had formed as an earlier breakaway, containing Mark Cavendish and Deceuninck – Quick-Step team-mate Tim Declercq, was caught and James Shaw (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling) attacked, with first Matteo Jorgensen (Movistar) and then eight others following, including all of the overall contenders.

Michael Woods (Israel Start-Up Nation) put in a concerted effort on one of the many small climbs littering the final ten kilometres, building a 15 second advantage which was steadily eroded before Shaw and Mikkel Honoré (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) each made their own efforts to go clear.

With a second group of just over 20 riders closing on them rapidly, Jorgensen kept the pace high, aided by INEOS’ Carlos Rodriguez before Honoré opened up the sprint to lead out Alaphilippe. On the gradual drag up to the line however the fast finishers of van Aert and Hayter could come around the World champion under the watchful guise of the Angel of the North.

It was a nice course with a nice opportunity in the end – a steep kicker with 14 kilometres to go. I thought it would be nice to make the race a bit harder and maybe even surprise some other guys, but we ended up with all the main favourites in the front group. From then on it was quite clear for me that it would be a sprint because Ethan[Hayter] and the also the guy from Movistar [Matteo Jorgenson] had a team-mate in the group who would keep it together.

“I’m focusing on this race and the opportunities we will have here, so I think for sure it has been good preparation for the Worlds. But for now I’m more focused on the racing day by day. It will all come down to the bonus seconds. Maybe there will be some other opportunities along the way, so we need to be focused and hopefully we can try something again.

Wout van Aert

Stage 6 Winner, Team Jumbo-Visma

Hayter retains the Sportsbreaks.com Points jersey thanks to his string of top five results this week while Jacob Scott (Canyon dhb SunGod) keeps both of the ŠKODA King of the Mountains and Eisberg Sprints jerseys for a sixth consecutive day, and now only needs to finish the AJ Bell Tour of Britain to retain his ŠKODA jersey.

The event moves to Scotland for the final two stages of the 2021 race. Saturday (11 September) sees a 194.8-kilometre (121.1-mile) Stage Seven from Hawick to Edinburgh with a picturesque route through the Scottish Borders before the AJ Bell Tour of Britain concludes with Stage Eight from Stonehaven to Aberdeen over 173 kilometres (107.6 miles) including the famous climb of Cairn o’Mount.

Results

AJ BELL LEADER'S JERSEY

SPORTSBREAKS.COM POINTS JERSEY

SKODA KING OF THE MOUNTAINS JERSEY

EISBERG SPRINTS JERSEY

TEAM CLASSIFICATION

STAGE 6 RESULTS

Tour of Britain - Round 7 Preview

Hawick and Edinburgh will play host to stage seven of the 2021 Tour of Britain on Saturday 11 September, as the race culminates with two full stages in Scotland for the first time ever.

While the Scottish Borders is no stranger to the race, Hawick will make its debut as a host venue in September, joining Jedburgh, Peebles and Kelso in welcoming the UK’s most prestigious cycle race to town.

The historic city of Edinburgh will then host its first stage finish of the modern Tour of Britain, having previously welcomed the race for stage starts in 2015 and 2017, the latter as part of a Scottish Grand Départ. Holyrood Park will provide the backdrop to what promises to be a truly unforgettable finale.

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STAGE 7 RESULTS

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Tour of Britain - Round 8 Preview

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STAGE 6 RESULTS

Tour of Britain - Round 7 Preview

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