Caleb Ewan reclaims race lead with stage win in Scunthorpe

by | Sep 5, 2017

Caleb Ewan sprinted to his second victory of the week in the OVO Energy Tour of Britain, heading home Edvald Boasson Hagen by less than a wheel width to reclaim the overall lead and the OVO Energy Green Jersey in Scunthorpe.

The Orica Scott rider followed up his opening day win in Kelso by out sprinting Boasson Hagen and European Champion Alexander Kristoff, to move six seconds ahead of overnight leader Elia Viviani who finished seventh in the bunch sprint.

The bunch brought back the remains of the day’s breakaway with around 15-kilometres of racing to go, with Philippe Gilbert then causing panic among the sprinters teams by jumping clear on the drag up to the line.

Interview – Caleb Ewan – Stage 3 Winner – OVO Tour of Britain 2017 by Cycling Shorts

The media speak to Caleb Ewan after he storms to another stage win in the OVO Tour of Britain 2017 and takes control of GC. All content & Images ©www.cyclingshorts.cc | www.chrismaher.co.uk

 

Today was a tough day obviously with the weather, [said Ewan after the rainy conditions that swept the North Lincolnshire leg of the Tour]. So it wasn’t as straight forward as we would have hoped and I think it made it a bit harder.

We had to sit at the front all day, taking a bit of the wind and then with the hill coming up close to the finish line that made it a bit tricky as well.

After Gilbert went, I was pretty confident in Luka Mezgec, he knows what he is doing so I could just follow him. He had to go pretty much full gas as soon as he started the lead out so that made it harder for me as well.

To be honest, I was on his wheel and pretty pinned. As soon as he swung off I just gave it my all and did a big lunge for the line and luckily I just got the win ahead of Eddie.

Caleb Ewan

Winner Stage 3 - OVO Tour of Britain, Orica Scott

As well as win number two Ewan moves back into the lead of the Wiggle Points Jersey, five points ahead of Viviani.

For full results and standings from Stage Three, please click here.

It was also a brilliant day for Team JLT Condor who managed to get two riders, Graham Briggs and Ian Bibby, in the five-rider breakaway. The duo worked brilliantly together to make sure that between them they took maximum points in all of the day’s intermediate competitions, resulting in Briggs picking up the Eisberg Sprints and SKODA King of the Mountains jerseys.

A terrific day for the team was capped off by Australian sprinter Brenton Jones taking fourth place on the stage overall.

Elsewhere, BIKE Channel Canyon’s Harry Tanfield was awarded the HIGH5 Combativity Award for the day after continually animating the break.

Stage Four of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain takes place in Nottinghamshire with the county hosting its first full stage.  The stage begins in Mansfield town centre at 11:00 with live coverage on ITV4 from 10.45am, with the finish alongside Sconce and Devon Park in Newark-on-Trent after 164-kilometres of racing.
 
Highlights from the third stage of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain will be on ITV4 at 8pm on Tuesday evening (5 September) with a repeat the following morning.

 

Stage Four Wednesday 6 September Mansfield to Newark-on-Trent 165km
Stage Five Thursday 7 September The Tendring Stage Individual Time Trial 16km
Stage Six Friday 8 September Newmarket to Aldeburgh 187km
Stage Seven Saturday 9 September Hemel Hempstead to Cheltenham 185km
Stage Eight Sunday 10 September Worcester to Cardiff 180km
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

Anna Magrath

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.

CyclingShorts.cc are official sponsors of The Racing Chance Foundation, Team22 WRT, Team Jadan and cyclists Amy Gornall & Fraser Martin.

Elia Viviani takes OVO Energy Tour of Britain lead in Blyth

by | Sep 4, 2017

Elia Viviani took his fifth stage win in the OVO Energy Tour of Britain, but not without controversy as Edvald Boasson Hagen was initially declared the winner, before being disqualified for deviating in the sprint.

Viviani had crossed the line second behind the Norwegian, but Sky lodged a protest after the Dimension Data rider moved to his left in the sprint and was adjudged by the race jury to have impeded the Italian.

Following much deliberation, and Boasson Hagen initially appearing on the podium, the decision was overturned with him being relegated to the back of the main field and the victory, and OVO Energy Green Jersey going to Viviani.

Interview – Elia Viviani Stage 2 Winner – OVO Tour Of Britain 2017 by Cycling Shorts

The media speak to Elia Viviani after he is awarded the stage two win after Edvald Boasson Hagen was disqualified for deviating from his sprint line. OVO Tour of Britain 2017. All content & images ©www.cyclingshorts.cc | www.chrismaher.co.uk

Boasson Hagen was conciliatory after the finish, acknowledging that he had unintentionally moved across on the run to the line in Blyth.

I know that I closed in Viviani but it wasn’t on purpose”, he said. “I was just sprinting for the line with my head down and when I looked up, I was too close on the left side with Viviani on my inside. It’s really a pity after all the hard work the guys did today. However, we will keep fighting and try to go for it again tomorrow.

Edvald Boasson Hagen

Rider, Team Dimension Data

I was feeling really good yesterday, but I was disappointed as the guys did a perfect job yesterday on a very technical finish and I finished only third,

I really wanted to win today and we did a really good leadout with Kwiato, Kiry, G and Tao – who worked all day. Owain put me on Boasson Hagen’s wheel in the final which was perfect and what we talked about this morning in our meeting, to be in second or third place going into the sprint.

All the team deserve this win and I hope to win again in the next few days too.

Elia Viviani

Winner Stage 2 - OVO Tour of Britain 2017, Team Sky

Interview – Edvald Boassan Hagen Stage 2 – OVO Tour Of Britain 2017 by Cycling Shorts

After an initial controversial stage win Edvald Boasson Hagen talks to the media about his disqualification for deviating from his sprint line against Elia Viviani in the OVO Tour of Britain 2017. All images & content ©www.cyclingshorts.cc | www.chrismaher.co.uk

Behind Boasson Hagen, Dylan Groenewegen took second place, with Fernando Gaviria in third.

Viviani now leads the OVO Energy Tour of Britain by four seconds from Stage One winner Caleb Ewan, with Boasson Hagen a further three seconds in arrears before Karol Domagalski and Silvan Dillier each an additional second back.

For full results and standings from Stage Three, please click here.

Once again the day’s racing was shaped by a breakaway group, this time of seven riders, with Madison Genesis’ Matt Holmes initiating the action straight away at the 0km mark, once the race had rolled away from the spectacular location of Kielder Water

Among the riders joining Holmes were two of Stage One’s escapees, Lukasz Owsain and Jacob Scott, with the pair ending the day tied on points for the SKODA King of the Mountains classification, but the jersey changing hands from the former to the latter at the day’s end.

Graham Briggs used the opportunity of another day in the break to pick up points at each of the three intermediate Eisberg Sprints, drawing him level with jersey wearer Domagalski going into day three.

Having started the attacks in the Northumberland National Park, once the race was heading down the counties coastline into Blyth it was Holmes again who put in numerous attempts to get away, as the peloton bore down on them.  The Madison Genesis man went clear as they made their first passage of the line in Blyth, and held on as far as the Eisberg Sprint in Seaton Sluice before being caught.

At that instant Quick-Step Floors’ Philippe Gilbert took up the reigns, threatening to hold off the peloton on the run back to Blyth, but was reeled in by the Sky and Dimension Data led peloton to set up the thrilling, but controversial sprint to the line.

Vivani has now taken five stage wins in the OVO Energy Tour of Britain since 2013, while Boasson Hagen – despite winning the race overall in 2015 – hasn’t won a stage since his previous overall victory in 2009.

 

Stage Three of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain takes place in North Lincolnshire with the race returning to the area for the first time since 2009, with the race going from Normanby Hall Country Park to Scunthorpe.  Racing begins at 11:00, with live coverage on ITV4 from 10.45am.

Stage Three Tuesday 5 September Normanby Hall Country Park to Scunthorpe 178km
Stage Four Wednesday 6 September Mansfield to Newark-on-Trent 165km
Stage Five Thursday 7 September The Tendring Stage Individual Time Trial 16km
Stage Six Friday 8 September Newmarket to Aldeburgh 187km
Stage Seven Saturday 9 September Hemel Hempstead to Cheltenham 185km
Stage Eight Sunday 10 September Worcester to Cardiff 180km
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

Anna Magrath

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.

CyclingShorts.cc are official sponsors of The Racing Chance Foundation, Team22 WRT, Team Jadan and cyclists Amy Gornall & Fraser Martin.

Caleb Ewan wins opening stage of OVO Energy Tour of Britain

by | Sep 3, 2017

Caleb Ewan started the 2017 OVO Energy Tour of Britain off where he ended the previous edition, standing atop the podium as a stage winner, having taken the victory at the end of the 190-kilometre opening leg between Edinburgh and Kelso in the Scottish Borders.

The 23-year-old Australian rounded out the 2016 edition with the stage win in London, and starts this year’s edition with victory on day one in Kelso’s Market Square, and with it the first OVO Energy Green Jersey of the race, plus the Wiggle Points Jersey.

Ewan outsprinted Edvald Boasson Hagen, Elia Viviani and Alexander Kristoff in a blanket finish across the first four riders.

When I crossed the line I was pretty confident that I got it”, said Ewan speaking afterwards.  “I know it was pretty close, but I thought I had got it. Then I saw all the cameras go around Eddy and I thought hang on a minute. When it is that close you just don’t know, and I saw Viviani as well round the outside. I was definitely happy to learn that I had won.

It was a pretty tricky finish, because of that tight corner, and obviously the cobblestones at the finish. We definitely wanted to be in front when the cobbles started. Luka had to get me out in front with about 200m to go. Because of the six men teams, you can’t go too early, because you will just run out of guys.

The boys did very well, I can’t complain about the lead out. I just had to sit there and get taken through the tricky parts.

Caleb Ewan

Winner Stage 1 - OVO Tour of Britain, Orica-Scott

The stage win and time bonus gives Ewan a three-second lead over Boasson Hagen – who picked up one-second at the day’s final intermediate Eisberg Sprint in Melrose – with ONE Pro Cycling’s Karol Domagalski a further second behind.

The Pole had been part of an eight-rider break – surviving a brush with the Madison Genesis team car – before striking out with compatriot Lukasz Oswain as the break were reeled in.  The pair were caught at the foot of the final SKODA King of the Mountains climb of the Eildon Hills, but Domagalski had done enough to claim the Eisberg Sprints Jersey, with Oswain taking the SKODA King of the Mountains jersey after Stage One.

Full results and standings from Stage One of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain can be found here.

Stage Two of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain takes place in Northumberland, resuming from Kielder Water and Forest Park at 10:15, with live coverage on ITV4 from 10am.  The stage finishes in Blyth on the Northumberland coast, where Fernando Gaviria won in 2015.

Highlights from the opening Scottish stage of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain will be on ITV4 at 10pm on Sunday evening (3 September) with a repeat the following morning.

The OVO Energy Tour of Britain is British Cycling’s premier road cycling event, giving cycling fans the opportunity to see the world’s best teams and riders competing on their door step, taking place between Sunday 3 and Sunday 10 September 2017.

Interview – Stage 1 Winner – Caleb Ewan – OVO Tour of Britain 2017 by Cycling Shorts

Caleb Ewan of Team Orica-Scott talks to the media after winning Stage 1 in the OVO Tour of Britain 2017. All content & images ©www.cyclingshorts.cc | www.chrismaher.co.uk

 

Stage Two Monday 4 September Kielder Water & Forest Park to Blyth 211km
Stage Three Tuesday 5 September Normanby Hall Country Park to Scunthorpe 178km
Stage Four Wednesday 6 September Mansfield to Newark-on-Trent 165km
Stage Five Thursday 7 September The Tendring Stage Individual Time Trial 16km
Stage Six Friday 8 September Newmarket to Aldeburgh 187km
Stage Seven Saturday 9 September Hemel Hempstead to Cheltenham 185km
Stage Eight Sunday 10 September Worcester to Cardiff 180km
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

Anna Magrath

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.

CyclingShorts.cc are official sponsors of The Racing Chance Foundation, Team22 WRT, Team Jadan and cyclists Amy Gornall & Fraser Martin.

OVO Energy Tour of Britain 2017 Pre Race Press Conference

by | Sep 3, 2017

With 120 riders confirmed for this years eight stage race. The OVO Energy Tour of Britain gets underway in Edinburgh, Scotland tomorrow morning at 1030am before meandering down the East-Side of the country and concluding in Cardiff, Wales on Sunday 10th September.

Beamed Live on ITV4 television for the first time with an estimated audience of eight-million, the highlights package later in the evening will be broadcast to a 125 countries.

Mark Cavendish, Dimension Data, Dan Martin of Quickstep Floors and Geraint Thomas of Team Sky are all still recovering from injuries and realistic about their race prospects.

To have Tyler, Dan, Mark, Geraint, Alex and Caleb here at the Press Conference for me is thrilling. I don’t think we have had such a stellar line up. We have three former World Champions, Six Olympians, Twenty-four stage winner from Grand Tours and countless World, European and National Champions and I’m absolutely delighted.

Mick Bennett

Race Director, Tour of Britain

I have to be realistic, I’m not a machine. I’m not looking for any results here. Team Dimension Data can get results here.

I’m a long-time supporter of the Tour of Britain and as a massive fan of the British fans, the support we have here – to see it grow over the last – more than a decade doing this, is phenomenal.

I had to miss RideLondon because of my injuries. To get here and race at home is  always’s something special. So I wanted to at least try, come out, experience and absorb the atmosphere that’s around the Tour of Britain nowerdays.

Mark Cavendish

Rider, Team Dimension Data

I’ve been back on the bike a couple of weeks now. Just looking forward to the race now – Cav was saying – the crowds and stuff are just unbelievable these days, to see how far it’s come.

The first time I did it was with Cav back in 2005, so yeh, it’s a bit different today.

We’ve got Viviani (Elia) for the Sprints – there’s a lot of Sprinters here, so yeh, It should be exciting.

Geraint Thomas

Rider, Team Sky

I feel fine, I feel good. I had to lay off after the Tour. I’ve only been back on the bike two-and-half to three weeks now, getting going again.

I’ve got a really strong Team here. I don’t know where I’ll be as far as ambitions. The course is really flat this year. As far as the Teams ambitions go, we can be optimistic, aim high and I’ll be part of that.

Dan Martin

Rider, Quickstep Floors

There are a lot of Sprinters and Time Trialists here at the Tour of Britain.

The Time Trial on stage 5 is definitely an objective for both myself an Ryan Mullen who’s been targeting this race for a while. For me presonnally, it’s one of my favourite races on the calendar, so I always look forward to coming to the Tour of Britain.

Taylor Phinney

Rider, Cannondale- Drapac

I think my form is all right. It’s been a long season up and till now. I started early in Australia. I’ve had a good break and a really good year, hopefully my form has come on well for this race.

Caleb Ewan

Winner in London 2016, Orica-Scott

The Time Trial roads you must know quite well? “ Yeh, it’s close to home. I’ll have lots of friends and family out, which will be good. I went and looked at the course the other week. It’s nice, a good one for me.

Alex Dowsett

Rider, Movistar Team

OVO Tour of Britain 2017 Pre Race Press Conference by Cycling Shorts

OVO Tour of Britain 2017 Pre Race Press Conference with Race Director Mick Bennett and riders; Mark Cavendish, Geraint Thomas, Dan Martin, Alex Dowsett, Taylor Phinney & Caleb Ewan. All images & content ©www.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

Anna Magrath

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.

CyclingShorts.cc are official sponsors of The Racing Chance Foundation, Team22 WRT, Team Jadan and cyclists Amy Gornall & Fraser Martin.

Where to catch OVO Energy Tour of Britain in Scotland

by | Aug 25, 2017

On Sunday 3 September, the streets of Scotland will be abuzz as 20 of the world’s top professional cycling teams take to the roads for the opening stage of the 2017 OVO Energy Tour of Britain, from Edinburgh to Kelso.

Among the top names already confirmed for the race are Team Sky duo Geraint Thomas and Michal Kwiatkowski, recently crowned European Champion Alexander Kristoff from Norway, World Time Trial Champion Tony Martin and multiple British Champion Alex Dowsett.

With just one week to go until the start of the 188-kilometre stage of Britain’s national Tour, we’ve compiled a list of the best vantage points to catch the world’s top riders in action in Scotland.

Stage One starts from outside St Giles Cathedral on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile at 10:30, with spectators advised to arrive for 9:00 as teams begin to arrive and sign-on, with each of the 20 world-class teams being presented to the crowd on the podium.

In addition to promo stands from Tour partners OVO Energy, Oakley and Dare2b all of the team vehicles will be parked on High Street and Cockburn Street ahead of the Grand Depart.

With Stage One using the same loop of roads in the city as the HSBC UK City Ride afterwards, the Meadows will be another great location to watch and see the action twice, especially if you’re riding in the freeride event afterwards.

Spectators are in for an amazing opening stage to this year’s OVO Energy Tour of Britain as they are treated to world-class racing set against the backdrop of some of Scotland’s most iconic and spectacular locations and countryside.

EventScotland is proud to be a long-term partner of the Tour of Britain and help bring the race back to Scotland each year to showcase what’s on offer to an international audience of cycling enthusiast. With more than 2000 miles of the National Cycle Network covering the country, Scotland truly is the perfect stage for cycling events.

Paul Bush OBE

Director of Events, VisitScotland

A further spectacular location, sure to feature prominently in the live television coverage on ITV4 is Duddington Low Road through Holyrood Park, with the famous backdrop of Arthur’s Seat.

The East Lothian towns and villages of Musselburgh, Cockenzie and Port Seton, Longniddry, Haddington and Pencaitland all lie on the opening kilometres of the route, while Gifford hosts the first intermediate Eisberg Sprint of the 2017 race at around 11:50, sponsored by leading alcohol free wine brand Eisberg, where riders will battle for points towards the Eisberg Sprints Jersey.

Shortly after riders tackle the first SKODA King of the Mountains climb of the race at Redstone Rigg in the Lammermuir Hills, with the race expected to reach the summit at around midday.

Fans in the Scottish Borders are spoilt for choice on where to watch, with the Tour racing through Duns (approximately 12:30) and Coldstream, where there will be another Eisberg Sprint (approximately 13:00) before passing through the centre of Kelso twice, at around 13:30 and again for the finish at approximately 15:20.

As well as a big screen showing the whole race live, Kelso will host the official promo zone with stands from Tour partners and a static bike challenge.

With the race taking in a 79-kilometre loop of the Scottish Borders, there is also the chance for fans to watch at one of the SKODA King of the Mountains climbs in the beautiful locations of Scott’s View (approximately 14:30) or above Melrose near the Eildon Hills (approximately 14:45). The latter comes just after the final Eisberg Sprint in Melrose High Street.

From the world famous city centre of Edinburgh, via the coast and moors of East Lothian to the beautiful views and towns of the Scottish Borders, Stage One has a bit of everything.

“With our partners we have planned a very spectator friendly route and look forward to cycling fans from across Scotland and the North of England turning out to cheer on and support the amazing field of riders we will have.

Mick Bennett

Race Director, OVO Energy Tour of Britain

For full details of Stage One, including timings, an interactive stage map and a downloadable stage map and profile please click here.

The HSBC UK City Ride takes place in Edinburgh on Sunday 3 September between 11:00 and 15:00 on a traffic free, 4.5-kilometre circuit at the heart of Edinburgh, based around the Meadows.  For more information and to register for your free place, please click here.

The OVO Energy Tour of Britain is British Cycling’s premier road cycling event, giving cycling fans the opportunity to see the world’s best teams and riders competing on their door step, taking place between Sunday 3 and Sunday 10 September 2017.

Stage One Sunday 3 September Edinburgh to Kelso 190km
Stage Two Monday 4 September Kielder Water & Forest Park to Blyth 211km
Stage Three Tuesday 5 September Normanby Hall Country Park to Scunthorpe 178km
Stage Four Wednesday 6 September Mansfield to Newark-on-Trent 165km
Stage Five Thursday 7 September The Tendring Stage Individual Time Trial 16km
Stage Six Friday 8 September Newmarket to Aldeburgh 187km
Stage Seven Saturday 9 September Hemel Hempstead to Cheltenham 185km
Stage Eight Sunday 10 September Worcester to Cardiff 180km

HSBC-UK Woman’s National Road Series 2017 | Ryedale Grand Prix

by | Aug 11, 2017

HSBC-UK Woman’s National Road Series 2017 | Ryedale Grand Prix

Massey wins the final HSBC-UK National Women’s Road Series event, the Ryedale Grand Prix.

Laura Massey, Drops Pro Cycling powered up-to the finish line in the grounds of Ampleforth Abbey and College just ahead of Alice Sharpe, NCC Group-Kuota-Torelli and the overall Series Winner Lizzy Banks, Storey Racing in a thrilling climax to the ninth and final round in the Road Series.

Sixty-one riders took the start-line in the 2017 edition of the Ryedale GP, one of the toughest courses in the calendar.

Missing from the start list was second place in the Series, Melissa Lowther, Team Breeze who was away racing in Europe prior to today’s race, and Banks only rival close enough to steal her glory.

Massey had started a little further back, but moved up into second after today’s win and furthermore securing the Team classification for Drops Pro Cycling at the same time.

The first and only real move of the day came on the second lap of the big circuit when Steph Mottram, NCC Group-Kuota-Torelli went clear on the climb to Yearsley and quickly established a thirty-five second lead.

With no reaction from the peloton, Mottram found herself out-front and alone with her lead extending every pedal stroke and by the thirty-six kilometre marker had extended to fifty seconds.

Starting the first of the smaller laps, Mottram’s lead had grown to one-forty-two reaching the fifty-kilometer-marker out of ninety-four-point-one kilometre race.

The gap remained around the one-thirty mark for the second small circuit before the signs of small attacks began and the peloton split with seventeen riders breaking free including the usual favourites’ and four members of Storey Racing.

Mottram took the bell with her lead diminishing and Chanel Mason, Storey Racing whom had held the Series lead at one point clipped off the front briefly.

With only five kilometres remaining it was the end of Mottram’s lead being caught on the final climb, opening up the opportunity for one of the chasing bunch to claim the race win, and as they sped towards the drag up towards the Abbey only the strongest rider would seal the victory.

Interview – Lizzy Banks at Ryedale GP 2017 – National Series Winner by Cycling Shorts

Lizzy Banks of Storey Racing chats to Chris Maher of CyclingShorts.cc after taking the National Series Title. All content ©www.cyclingshorts.cc | www.chrismaher.co.uk

“The girl was off the front and she was really going well, she had two minutes at one point. But it was windy out there and five laps it’s going to take its toll.

I think the peloton was being fairly patient, her team doing some of the work.”

“It got a bit frisky on that last lap, there were a few attacks, but I just followed their wheel and then the uphill-kick. I can do that”.

Laura Massey

Race Winner, Drops Pro Cycling

CS: Steph spent most of the race out front, alone.

“I needed an extra 7K didn’t I”.

“I was only moving out of the way for the motorbike on the hill, and then I had a gap. I thought well… I might as well have a go. You just push, don’t you”.

“When I came to the last lap, I thought if I can get up the hill with everything going on, I thought I would be able to hold it.”

“I was hoping at one point (That someone would come across) especially after the first big lap and I had a minute. I was hoping one or two might come join me”.

“This time last year I would of never of managed that”

Steph Mottram

Rider, NCC Group-Kuota-Torelli

CS: Beginning the season you won the Tour of the Wolds. Did you think, come the end of the season you would be here and now wearing the leader’s jersey?

“Once I’d won that it was a real incentive going into the second round, you have the leaders jersey, so be as consistent at as possible – which is something I always aim to do”.

“Then once I had the jersey, I had my eyes on the prize!

It would have been really nice to take the win here today, but Laura was too strong and she played the perfect race. She was on her own, she’s a nice sprinter – credit to her – I was really pleased to get on the podium today in third. A good day’s work all-in-all.”

CS: You switched teams since beginning the season, the support from Storey must really have helped a lot.

“Yeh, absolutely. Just from the first race – the amount I learnt immediately was absolutely amazing. What about thinking about this, about this, (as the team rallied around) and about this? 

Yeh, having the support of the team mates, they are such a strong group of girls and really, really lovely group of girls – and it’s just nice to be part of that. Sarah and Barney just ouse knowledge and yeh, it’s brilliant!”

 

Lizzy Banks

National Series Winner, Storey Racing

Interview – Laura Massey Rydale GP 2017 Winner by Cycling Shorts

Laura Massey of Drops Cycling chats to Chris Maher of CyclingShorts.cc after her win at the 2017 Ryedale Grand Prix.

CS: How tough is that final uphill kick to the finish line?

“It’s horrible cos you can see it, and its 300 meters, 250 meters and you have been going for ages! How is it still 200 meters to go? But yeh, it’s hard.” 

Knowing when to go, obviously everyone’s also dying behind you- you have to stay out of the wind”.

“I was sad for her (Steph) when she got caught, I felt I needed to carry on and do something”.

“I was very pleased with my second place result”.

 

Alice Sharpe

sprinted into second place in Ampleforth., NCC Groupe-Kuota-Torelli

1 23 Laura Massey Drops 2:50:40

2 42 Alice Sharpe NCC Group-Kuota-Torelli st

3 49 Elizabeth Banks Storey Racing st

4 53 Elizabeth-Jane Harris Storey Racing +4

5 79 Natalie Grinczer Team WNT st

6 34 Genevieve Whitson Isorex Cycling Team +5

7 16 Julie Erskine Cycle Team OnForm st

8 17 Anna Henderson Cycle Team OnForm st

9 9 Emma Cockcroft Bianchi Dama UK st

10 13 Georgina Panchaud Bianchi Dama UK st

11 78 Gabriella Shaw Team WNT st

12 21 Sian Bottlerly Cycle Team OnForm +10

13 54 Chanel Mason Storey Racing st

14 71 Jennifer Powell Team Ford Ecoboost st

15 4 Rebecca Johnson Aprire Bicycles/HSS Hire st

16 30 Jennifer Hudson Fusion RT Fierlan +13

17 40 Stephanie Mottram NCC Group-Kuota-Torelli +16

18 50 Bethany Crumpton Storey Racing +17

19 6 Emma Lewis Aprire Bicycles/HSS Hire +1:00

20 72 Jo Tindley Team Ford Ecoboost +1:04

21 25 Alana Prior EDCO Continental +1:40

22 19 Gemma Sargent Cycle Team OnForm +1:42

23 46 Amy Gornall Secret-Training.cc +1:49

24 35 Helen Jackson Kendal Cycle Club +4:10

25 83 Rebecca Goodson Velo Schils – Interbike RT +7:02

26 64 Savannah Morgan Team 22 +7:04

27 67 Melissa Brand Team Ford Ecoboost +8:12

28 27 Florence Cox Equipe Flamme Rouge +8:17

29 3 Lauren Humphreys Aprire Bicycles/HSS Hire +9:50

30 70 Charmaine Porter Team Ford Ecoboost +9:53

31 18 Amy Hill Cycle Team OnForm +9:56

32 57 Gabriella Nordin SunSport Velo +9:58

33 56 Elizabeth Burrows SunSport Velo +10:00

34 24 Hetty Niblett EDCO Continental +10:06

35 22 Jessica Woodworth Cycle Team OnForm +10:09

36 20 Charlotte Redden Cycle Team OnForm +10:11

37 80 Anna Badegruber Team WNT +10:16

38 51 Monica Dew Storey Racing +10:18

39 38 Rhiannon Gornall NCC Group-Kuota-Torelli +10:22

40 26 Hannah Righini-Brand EDCO Continental +10:27

41 43 Sophie Thackray NCC Group-Kuota-Torelli +13:45

42 74 Lucinda Kerr Team Jadan-Weldtite OTL

43 63 Phoebe Martin Team 22 OTL

44 55 Mercy Webb Storey Racing OTL

45 28 Tina Hartwright Fusion RT Fierlan OTL

46 1 Melissa Greaves All Terrain Cycles Ride In Peac OTL

47 66 Ellie Park Team 22 OTL

1 Drops Pro Cycling 380

2 Storey Racing 329

3 Cycle Team OnForm 308

4 Team WNT 260

5 Team Breeze 205

6 Team Ford Ecoboost 141

7 Bianchi Dama UK 100

8 NCC Group-Kuota-Torelli 68

9 Wiggle High5 63

10 SunSport Velo 60

11 Aprire Bicycles/HSS Hire 60

12 Strada Sport 47

13 Fusion RT Fierlan 46

14 Isorex Cycling Team 46

15 Team Vision Innovative Leisure 32

16 Team Corley Cycles 29

17 Abergavenny Road Club 29

18 Liv Cycling Club – Epic Coachin 23

19 Team Vertex-Biemme RT 16

20 EDCO Continental 11

21 Team Jadan-Weldtite 9

22 Team 22 8

23 Team Backstedt/Hotchillee 4

23 Matrix Pro Cycling 4

25 Portsmouth North End CC 3

Individual Points after Round Nine

1 Elizabeth Banks Storey Racing 172

2 Laura Massey Drops 140

3 Melissa Lowther Team Breeze 135

4 Chanel Mason Storey Racing 112

5 Natalie Grinczer Team WNT 107

6 Hannah Payton Drops 101

7 Julie Erskine Cycle Team OnForm 84

8 Sian Botteley Cycle Team OnForm 84

9 Joscelin Lowden Aprire Bicycles/HSS Hire 76

9 Hayley Simmonds Team WNT 76

11 Elizabeth-Jane Harris Storey Racing 72

12 Anna Henderson Cycle Team OnForm 72

13 Alice Sharpe NCC Group-Kuota-Torelli 68

14 Sophie Wright Strada Sport 61

15 Grace Garner Wiggle High5 56

16 Genevieve Whitson Isorex Cycling Team 54

17 Georgina Panchaud Bianchi Dama UK 53

18 Annasley Park Drops 52

19 Katie Archibald Team WNT 50

20 Emily Nelson Team Breeze 50

21 Jennifer Powell Team Ford Ecoboost 50

22 Charmaine Porter Team Ford Ecoboost 47

23 Rebecca Durrell Drops 44

24 Emma Cockcroft Bianchi Dama UK 42

25 Annabel Simpson Drops 40

26 Rose Osborne Drops 40

27 Jennifer George Storey Racing 35

28 Gabriella Shaw Team WNT 34

29 Jennifer Holden Fusion RT Fierlan 32

30 Ffion James Abergavenny Road Club 31

31 Alice Barnes Drops 30

32 Amy Hill Cycle Team OnForm 30

33 Karla Boddy Team Corley Cycles 29

34 Anna Christian Drops 28

35 Madeleine Gammons Team Vision Innovative Leisure 28

36 Abigail Van Twisk Drops 27

37 Lydia Boylan Team WNT 26

37 Nicola Juniper Team Ford Ecoboost 26

39 Alicia Speake Cycle Team OnForm 25

40 Manon Lloyd Team Breeze 22

41 Charlotte Broughton Team Ford Ecoboost 20

42 Megan Barker Team Breeze 20

43 Eleanor Dickinson Team Breeze 19

44 Rebecca Womersley Drops 18

45 Neah Evans Storey Racing 18

46 Jennifer Hudson Fusion RT Fierlan 18

47 Charlotte Redden Cycle Team OnForm 16

48 Lauren Murphy Liv Cycling Club – Epic Coachin 14

49 Anna Kay EDCO Continental 14

50 Lucy Horrocks Team Vertex-Biemme RT 13

51 Sian Bottlerly Cycle Team OnForm 9

52 Elizabeth Bennett Liv Cycling Club – Epic Coachin 9

53 Becca Carter Team WNT 9

53 Bethany Crumpton Storey Racing 9

55 Savannah Morgan Team 22 8

56 Amy Roberts Wiggle High5 7

56 Rhona Callander Team Jadan-Weldtite 7

58 Rebecca Johnson Aprire Bicycles/HSS Hire 6

59 Jessica Woodworth Cycle Team OnForm 5

60 Charlotte Colclough Bianchi Dama UK 5

61 Lorna Bowler Team Backstedt/Hotchillee 4

61 Tamara Davenne Team Vision Innovative Leisure 4

61 Gabriella Nordin SunSport Velo 4

61 Stephanie Mottram NCC Group-Kuota-Torelli 4

61 Amira Mellor Matrix Pro Cycling 4

66 Jessica Finney Portsmouth North End CC 3

66 Bethany Taylor Team Vertex-Biemme RT 3

68 Emma Lewis Aprire Bicycles/HSS Hire 2

68 Josie Knight Team WNT 2

68 Holly Flannery Team Jadan-Weldtite 2

68 Elizabeth Burrows SunSport Velo 2

68 Eileen Roe Team WNT 2

73 Kelly Murphy Team Ford Ecoboost 1

73 Jo Tindley Team Ford Ecoboost 1

73 Monica Dew Storey Racing 1

73 Bethany Hayward Team Ford Ecoboost 1

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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