Alexandra Women’s Tour Of The Reservoir – 2014

Alexandra Women’s Tour of the Reservoir – Manor House Inn Climb… First Ascend!

Podium Presentation… Alexandra Women’s Tour of the Reservoir

Alexandra Women’s Tour of the Reservoir – First Prime, Manor House Inn

British Cycling Women’s Road Series 2014 – Round One

Author: Chris Maher, Pictures courtesy of: Chris Maher | Photography

Saturday 12th April – Alexandra Women’s Tour of the Reservoir

Pre Race

Four circuits or 92kms around the Derwent Reservoir in Northumberland. The event should see almost 70 girls on the start-line for this first in the Women’s Cycling Road Racing Series of 2014. Heading off at 9.30am, The course undulates anti-clockwise through Edmundbyers, over the dam & up the main climb on the circuit to the Manor House Inn, a great place to watch. Continuing around & dropping down by the Northern side of the Reservoir and past the Sailing Club, the course turns left onto the B6306 (Normally a feeding zone) and continues to hug the shoreline, as it climbs up and down along back road through to Edmundbyers once more. On the last circuit, the race will finish by crossing the narrow bridge & swinging into the Reservoir grounds and one final climb up-to the finish line on the dam wall.

Looking at the start list, there is a large team from Epic Cycles – Scott WRT with Karla Boddy & Hannah Walker topping an impressive squad. Helen Wyman & Emma Trott will be in the thick of the action too, but no signs of last years overall winner, Hannah Barnes.

Team Jadan

This year I will officially, be following the fortunes of Team Jadan . supplying images of the girls out racing throughout the season for Cycling Shorts. A newly formed Women’s Team for 2014, with the aim of providing experience for girls at different levels with-in a friendly environment. Why not follow the girls experiences too, as they write about their racing season over the following months.

Quote from recent press release.

“Team Jadan is the brainchild of Victoria Hood who believes that the perception of what women of all levels can achieve in cycle road racing needs to be changed”

This weekend sees 57, Lauren Brown, 58, Annabel Sill & 59, Frankie White representing the Team.

Race Result

It was an early start for the girls as they ambled along to the usual rolling start a kilometre or so before Edmundbyres. Menacing sky’s loomed as the blustery weather promised to interfere with any escapees who had plans to go-it alone.

There was a crash on the corner to the first ascend up-to the Manor House Inn that saw several girls out of contention straight away. But those at the front rode to the top together, and were still together as they finish off the first lap.

The second ascend to the Manor House Inn also saw the girls riding to the top together with Helen Wyman clipping off the front to take the first Prime points. The clouds began to roll over the hilly terrain and the drizzly rain began to fall. But only enough to dampen their clothes and mist their glasses.

By now, the difficult and exposed course had taken it’s toll. Five girls broke free, then two of the five pushed away to gain twenty seconds on the second Prime. Alexie Shaw (Epic Cycles – Scott WRT) and Nicola Juniper (Pearl Izumi – Sports Tours International) began to ride away away from the chasing pack, and soon found themselves over three minuets ahead.

As they approached the Reservoir gates and with one kilometre till the finish line, they had extended their lead to over three and a half minuets. But with the final climb up to the finish, which one would have the legs to take the victory? Alexie lead, but Nicola powered past her with one hundred metres to go, to win the first Alexandra Women’s Tour of the Reservoir. Around twenty girls finished the course on a gruelling cold, day.