Womens Cycling Archives - Page 18 of 87

Curlew Cup 2017 Report & Gallery

by Chris Maher | Jun 18, 2017

Curlew Cup 2017

Julie Erskine secured her first HSBC-UK Women’s Road Series victory for Cycle Team OnForm winning the 2017 edition of the Curlew Cup in Northumberland.

Chanel Mason defended her National Women’s Road Series lead as four rider’s contest the final run to the finish line.

Sprinting into view with two-hundred metres remaining, Erskine had got the jump off Payton’s wheel to win the sixth edition of the race that began back in 2012, briefly looking back, before raising her arms in celebration across the line.

It’s good to get the win today going into the Nationals – as well – It’s quite a boost.

The Curlew Cup is a hard race, with three times up the Ryal’s – it was always going to be hard – and it was so hot today aswell!

I knew if I could get over the Ryal the first couple of times, then we’ll (Cycle Team OnForm) see what happens. We were trying to follow any moves that went cause Sian (Botteley) was second in the standings.

Chanel from Storey went, I just sort of followed that – Georgina (Panchaud – Bianchi) and Hannah (Payton – Drops) came as well and we just opened up a gap.

Julie Erskine

Winner - Curlew Cup 2017, Team OnForm

Conditions couldn’t have been any better for this fifth round in the series, mid-point, as clear skies and a warm ambient temperature greeted the eighty-two riders that had signed-on to the start-line in Stamfordham.

Set in the beautiful surroundings of the Northumberland National Park, this edition covered one-hundred-and-six kilometres, three laps, as the riders tackled the infamous Ryal’s climb with prize money on offer that included a Queen of the Mountains, Points Sprint over the finish-line and an U23 classification and a first Junior.

Interview – Julie Erskine Curlew Cup Winner 2017 by Cycling Shorts

Julie Erskine of Team OnForm chats to Chris Maher of CyclingShorts.cc after her win at the Curlew Cup 2017. Image & Content ©wwwchrismaher.co.uk | www.cyclingshorts.cc

The race got underway at a gentle pace with splits forming on the first ascends of the Ryal. Around forty riders re-formed the main peloton and the first action came from Storey Racing’s Jennifer George on the back straight with forty-seven kilometres covered. Joined briefly by Keira McVitty and three more trying to bridge, it wasn’t long before they were all back together once more.

The second ascend of the Ryal saw a trio of riders cresting the QoM firstly with Melissa Lowther, Team Breeze leading the way over Beth Crumpton, Storey Racing and Annasley Park, Drops Pro Cycling. Chasing not far behind, Katie Archibald, Team WNT Pro Cycling and Laura Massey, Drops Pro Cycling as the five moved clear and gained around fifteen seconds. Again it wasn’t long before the five were reeled back into the fold of the peloton.

With the final ascend of the Ryal looming, Series leader Chanel Mason, Storey Racing made the decisive move that shaped the final outcome of the race. Joining her, Erskine, Georgina Panchaud, Bianchi Dama UK, and Hannah Payton, Drops Pro Cycling as they amassed a thirty-second lead in the final run in. Panchaud attacks!

Team Breeze’s Emily Nelson tried to bridge across the gap, but ran out of road before sight of the village.

Series leader Chanel Mason settled for fourth place, maintaining her individual series lead behind U23 year old Panchaud’s who rode into third place.

Archibald had done enough to secure the Queen of the Mountains and the Points classification bringing in the rest of the bunch in sixth place.

Sophie Thackray was the first Junior across the line in 23^rd. for NCC Group Kuota Torelli.

1. Julie Erskine, Team OnForm
2. Hannah Payton, Drops
3. Georgina Panchaud, Bianchi Dama
4. Chanel Mason, Storey Racing
5. Emily Nelson, Team Breeze
6. Katie Archibald, WNT
7. Neah Evans, Storey Racing
8. Laura Massey, Drops
9. Mellisa Lowther, Team Breeze
10. Natalie Grinczer, WNT
11. Genevieve Whitson, Sorex CT
12. Eleanor Dickinson, Breeze
13. Annasley Park, Team Breeze
14. Charmaine Porter, Ford
15. Megan Barker, breeze
16. Abigail van Twisk, Drops
17. Elizabeth Banks, Storey Racing
18. Gabby Shaw, WNT
19. Rose Osbourne, Drops
20. Charlotte Colclough, Bianchi Dama
21. Bethany Hayward, Ford
22. Alice Sharpe, Kuota Torelli
23. Sophie Thackray, Kuota Torelli
24. Jennifer Powell, Ford
25. Jennifer George, Storey
26. Alicia Speake, Onform
27. Fiona Hunter Johnston, Fusion
28. Stephanie Mottram, Kuota Torelli
29. Mellisa Brand, Ford
30. Manon Lloyd, Breeze
31. Alana Prior, Edco Continental
32. Kelly Murphy, Ford
33. Molly Patch, Fusion
34. Molly Weaver, Sunweb
35. Sian Botteley, Onform
36. Amy Gornall, Secret training
37. Jennifer Hudson, Fusion
38. Anna Docherty, Epic
39. Emily Meakin, Lifestyle
40. Kim Baptista, Kuota Torelli
41. Sophie Enever, team 22
42. Gemma Sargent, Onform
43. Lynsey Curran, Dooleys cycles
44. Bethany Crumpton, Storey racing
45. Holly Flannery, Jadan
46. Minca Dew, Storey racing
47. Fiona Turnbull, Speedflex
48. Chloe Weller,
49. Ellen McDermott, Edco Continental
50. Christine Marshall, Vertex
51. Jennifer Batey, Edco Continental
52. Jessica Duffy, Bianchi Dama
53. Elana Spanou, Onform
54. Savannah Morgan, Team 22
55. Lily Greenhalgh Team 22

1: Chanel Mason Storey Racing 84p

2: Hannah Payton Drops Cycling 64

3: Lizzy Banks Storey Racing 58

4: Grace Garner Wiggle High5 56

4: Laura Massey DropsCycling 56

4: Sian Botteley Cycle Team OnForm 56

7: Julie Erskine Cycle Team OnForm 52

8: Katie Archibald Team WNT 50

8: Emily Nelson Team Breeze 50

10: Natalie Grinczer Team WNT 43

1: Drops Pro Cycling 234

2: WNT Pro Cycling 175

2: Cycle Team OnForm 175

4: Storey Racing 127

5: Team Breeze 105

6: Team Ford Ecoboost 93

7: Bianchi Dama UK 56

7: Wiggle High5 56

Chris Maher

Photographer & Writer

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

Interview – Julie Erskine Winner of Curlew Cup 2017

by Chris Maher | Jun 18, 2017

Julie Erskine of Team OnForm chats to Chris Maher of CyclingShorts.cc after her win at the Curlew Cup 2017.

Interview – Julie Erskine Curlew Cup Winner 2017 by Cycling Shorts

Julie Erskine of Team OnForm chats to Chris Maher of CyclingShorts.cc after her win at the Curlew Cup 2017. Image & Content ©wwwchrismaher.co.uk | www.cyclingshorts.cc

Image ©CyclingShorts.cc | www.chrismaher.co.uk

Chris Maher

Photographer & Writer

Katarzyna Niewiadoma wins the OVO Energy Women’s Tour 2017

by Chris Maher | Jun 11, 2017

The OVO Energy Women’s Tour concludes in central London on Sunday 11 June, with a 10-lap circuit race starting and finishing on Regent Street St James. The 62-kilometre leg gets underway at 15:30 and is preceded by the Pink Ribbon Tour, a 25-kilometre ride for 800-women to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the pink ribbon, in aid of Breast Cancer Care, the Official Charity Partner of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour.
Jolien D’hoore sprinted to victory on the streets of London as Katarzyna Niewiadoma held onto the OVO Energy Green Jersey to claim the overall victory in the OVO Energy Women’s Tour as it finished at the heart of the capital.

The Polish National Champion won the opening stage in Northamptonshire, and has held the race lead ever since, finishing ahead of Luxembourg champion Christine Majerus and British Champion Hannah Barnes, who moved up to third overall thanks to bonus seconds on the final day.

I’m super happy. I think that’s the only word that can describe my feelings.

At our first team meeting we said that we wanted to have a good race and that we wanted to fight for a good result. We knew that the first day was good for a bunch sprint; our strong bullet for it was Marianne[Vos]. All of us had opportunities; we could do whatever we wanted if felt we could. In that moment when I attacked I saw a small hill in front of me. I tried, nobody followed – I wanted somebody to join me – but I had no choice but to keep pushing!

Katarzyna Niewadoma

Winner - OVO Energy Women's Tour 2017, WM3 Pro Cycling

In addition to her overall victory Niewiadoma also moved into the lead of the UCI Women’s WorldTour following the OVO Energy Women’s Tour, overtaking erstwhile leader Olympic Champion Anna van der Breggen.

Runner-up Christine Majerus took added the Eisberg Sprints Jersey to the Wiggle Points Jersey, clinching the former after her and three Boels Dolmans team took the race by storm in London, forcing an eight-rider group clear that contested both intermediate Eisberg Sprints, handing Majerus the jersey and Barnes third overall.

That also gave Hannah the Adnams Best British Rider Jersey, at the end of a week long battle with her younger sister Alice, and coming 18-months on from a prolonged injury lay-off with a broken leg.

It’s been a really hard week. Unfortunately we lost Ale [Alena Amialiusik] to a really bad crash on Stage Three so we only had five riders and yesterday’s stage was really hard, but it came back together, which helped us. I knew I pretty much had to win both intermediate sprints and place well in the sprint to finish on the podium today and I managed to do that.

I’ve been working really hard and this was one of the big targets of the year for me. I’m pleased I came into it strongly. The first day I didn’t feel great, it felt like it was going to be a really bad five days. But it helps that I can ride into a stage race and I think my training going into the race has paid off.

Hannah Barnes

Wiiner Best British Rider - OVO Women's Tour 2017

With an eye on the finish, Wiggle HIGH5 worked to bring the group back, reuniting the field with three laps to go and setting up a thrilling finish on Regent Street St James, with D’hoore heading home Barnes and Majerus.

Every time it’s a bunch sprint there’s pressure on me. I had to deal with it; I think I can handle the expectation pretty well. We also had Giorgia Bronzini there for us; at the end of the stage she said the team were going for me. It’s great to win.

The hammer went down from the start. We weren’t there in the move as a team so we had to chase it down. The girls did a lot of work, everybody was on their limit. Luckily we closed it down and it was up to me in the sprint.

Jolien D'hoore

Audrey Cordon-Ragot won the SKODA Queen of the Mountains climb while Team Sunweb took the Team Classification, with their rider Lucinda Brand claiming the week’s combativity prize.

Earlier in the day the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan had joined Breast Cancer Care ambassador Denise Lewis to wave away the Pink Ribbon Tour, which saw over 800-women riding 25-kilometres to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of Breast Cancer Care’s pink ribbon.

Interview – Katarzyna Niewiadoma – Winner of the 2017 Women’s Tour by Cycling Shorts

Katarzyna Niewiadoma of WM3 Pro Cycling – winner of the 2017 OVO Energy Women’s Tour 2017 chats to the assembled media. Image ©www.chrismaher.co.uk | www.cyclingshorts.cc

Interview – Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, the U23 Women’s World Tour Leader by Cycling Shorts

Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig of Cervelo Bigla the UCI U23’s Women’s World Tour Leader chats to the press after the final stage of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour 2017. Image ©www.chrismaher.co.uk | www.cyclingshorts.cc

Highlights of the final stage of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour in London are on ITV4 at 23:00 on Sunday 11 June, with a repeat the following morning on the same channel. The highlights will also be available on demand via the ITV Hub catch-up service.

One week after the OVO Energy Women’s Tour, amateur cyclists will have the chance to ride sections of the Northamptonshire route in the Tour Ride, the official sportive of the race on Sunday 18 June. Riders can take part in 40 or 80-mile routes, starting and finishing at Delapre Abbey in Northamptonshire, or tackle a fun, 10-mile Family Ride. For more details visit www.tourride.co.uk

Stage 5 Results

Final Results OVO Energy Women's Tour 2017

Chris Maher

Photographer & Writer

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Editor & Writer

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Interview – Katarzyna Niewiadoma – Winner of the 2017 Women’s Tour

by Chris Maher | Jun 11, 2017

Katarzyna Niewiadoma of WM3 Pro Cycling – winner of the 2017 OVO Energy Women’s Tour 2017 chats to the assembled media.

Interview – Katarzyna Niewiadoma – Winner of the 2017 Women’s Tour by Cycling Shorts

Katarzyna Niewiadoma of WM3 Pro Cycling – winner of the 2017 OVO Energy Women’s Tour 2017 chats to the assembled media. Image ©www.chrismaher.co.uk | www.cyclingshorts.cc

Chris Maher

Photographer & Writer

Interview – Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, the U23 Women’s World Tour Leader

by Chris Maher | Jun 11, 2017

Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig of Cervelo Bigla the UCI U23’s Women’s World Tour Leader chats to the press after the final stage of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour 2017.

Interview – Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, the U23 Women’s World Tour Leader by Cycling Shorts

Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig of Cervelo Bigla the UCI U23’s Women’s World Tour Leader chats to the press after the final stage of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour 2017. Image ©www.chrismaher.co.uk | www.cyclingshorts.cc

Chris Maher

Photographer & Writer

Sarah Roy wins Stage 4 of OVO Women’s Tour in Derbyshire

by Chris Maher | Jun 11, 2017

Katarzyna Niewiadoma held onto the race leader’s OVO Energy Green Jersey at the conclusion of the penultimate stage of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour in Chesterfield, but only after resisting a stern challenge from her rivals on the roads of Derbyshire.

The Polish National Champion, who has led the OVO Energy Women’s Tour since Stage One in Northamptonshire on Wednesday faced her strongest challenge yet in the four days of racing, with Christine Majerus at one stage becoming the virtual green jersey on the road, ending the day in second overall, 1-minute and 25-seconds back from Niewiadoma, who described it as “one of the hardest races I’ve done in my life.”

I knew it was a really dangerous move and I knew we had to start riding to bring her back. I tried to stay calm and relaxed and only think positively.

As soon as you start thinking negatively you become nervous. What made it easier for my head is that I knew the course was hard and the climbs suit me. I also knew that some teams would be destroyed on this course; it wasn’t easy to stay in the front group.

My DS was coaching me, giving me advice on what I had to do. Of course it’s impossible to control every attack but I tried as much as I could. I’m super happy that the OVO Energy Green Jersey is still with me. It was really cool that Cervélo Bigla and Canyon//SRAM helped us chase the breakaway down; I knew Canyon would want to keep Hannah Barnes in third on GC, so it was really cool that they were eager to ride.

Katarzyna Niewadoma

Green Jersey Holder Stage 4 - OVO Energy Women's Tour, WM3 Pro Cycling

The stage win went to Orica Scott’s Sarah Roy, as an Australian came out on top in the OVO Energy Women’s Tour for the second day running following Chloe Hosking’s win in Warwickshire on Friday.

Team Sunweb’s Leah Kirchmann also jumped up the order, elevating herself to third overall, 11-seconds behind Majerus, as the Barnes sisters dropped to fifth and sixth, with Hannah retaking the higher position and the Adnams Best British Rider jersey.

Kirchmann was part of a day-long three rider break including Shara Gillow and eventual winner Roy that was joined by Majerus, who bridged the gap from a small chasing group with 77-kilometres of racing remaining.

I’m really excited, elated and thrilled to take the victory, especially given the efforts that the team have put in for the past few stages, Gracie [Elvin] was in the break yesterday and got caught with five kilometres to go, which was both exciting and disappointing, so for us to have another dig today and pull it off was awesome.

I was preparing for a bunch sprint because the girls behind were lighting up. We just happened to dig really dig on an uncategorised climb towards the finish; I took a few fewer turns but [Christine] Majerus really put the hammer down. I just held her wheel and I took over on the descents.

I felt pretty good coming into the finish. I didn’t want to be the one attacking but I was really confident following the wheels. I’m actually really surprised – it was very hilly and I’m not a climber. It was a hard race.

Sarah Roy

Winner - Stage 4 OVO Women's Tour, Orica Scott Rider

Interview – Green Jersey Katarzyna Niewiadoma – Stage 4 – OVO Women’s Tour by Cycling Shorts

Green Jersey Holder Katarzyna Niewiadoma of WM3 Pro Cycling chats to the media after Stage 4 (the penultimate) of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour in Chesterfield. Image ©www.chrismaher.co.uk | www.cyclingshorts.cc

Interview – QoM’s Cordon-Ragot Stage 4 – OVO Women’s Tour by Cycling Shorts

Stage 4 (the penultimate) of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour in Chesterfield and the SKODA Queen of the Mountains Jersey was decided by Audrey Cordon-Ragot. Audrey spoke to the collected media. Image ©www.chrismaher.co.uk | www.cyclingshorts.cc

Buoyed by Majerus’ presence, and with no chase initially behind, their lead swelled putting the Luxembourg champion into the virtual race lead. With Cervelo Bigla and Canyon//SRAM aiding the isolated Niewiadoma in the chase, they were gradually reeled back in, until with Roy, Majerus and Kirchmann contesting the finish.

Having saved her legs for the finish, Roy led from the front outsprinting Majerus on the cobbled finish line, with Kirchmann coming home third for the final bonus seconds.

Audrey Cordon-Ragot sealed the SKODA Queen of the Mountains climb ahead of the final, flat, stage in London, finishing with a six-point lead over Lucinda Brand.

It was a hard day, I think we did really good in protecting the jersey. The first goal of the day was to target the first SKODA Queen of the Mountain climb at Middleton Top, which we did. The only thing was that if Lucinda won the second SKODA Queen of the Mountains climb we would lose the jersey, so we had to stay awake. Obviously with it being a hard race, it was easiest for me to keep the jersey with a breakaway up the front.

I knew I had really good legs from the Ardennes. I’ve found a really good shape this year and a nice way to ride my bike, so it’s a nice reward. But I wasn’t coming for that, I was coming to help Giorgia and Jolien win as many stages as I could, but it’s really nice I have a reward.

Audrey Cordon-Ragot

QoM OVO Women's Tour 2017, Wiggle HIGH5

Teammate Jolien D’hoore retained the Eisberg Sprints Jersey, with Christine Majerus now her nearest challenger, two points behind with six points available during London’s final stage.

Highlights of the third stage of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour are on ITV4 at 23:00 on Saturday 10 June, with a repeat the following morning on the same channel. The highlights will also be available on demand via the ITV Hub catch-up service.