The first round of the Women’s National Series was won by Team FBUK – Schwinn rider Lorna Webb this weekend. The Weaver Valley CC 80km race was ridden in fine conditions following the morning rain. FBUK had eight riders in the bunch, five of which had returned from Belgium for the event.

Racing to a team plan, FBUK set about the task of keeping the race pace high from the start and rode aggressively throughout. However with none of the attacks having made a significant gap, it was Rapha-Condor rider, Caroline Kloiber, who managed to gain a gap on the field. With FBUK resigned to contesting a sprint for 2nd place up the steep hill that dominates the race, the race took an unexpected twist when Caroline was brought back to the bunch.

With the race now all together at the bottom of the climb, Lorna Webb took full advantage of this strange twist in the race and drove for the finish line from the bottom of the climb, finishing with an excellent sprint victory ahead of promising junior, Joanna Rowsell.

Racing in the UK is important for the team as it provides an opportunity to ride in front of UK sponsors and with representatives from major team sponsor Fat Birds Don’t Fly (www.fatbirds.co.uk) and also Listers Timber (www.listertimber.co.uk) it was an important victory for the team.

Lorna Webb was delighted with the victory which she adds to the 3rd place she gained in Corswaren in Belgium 2 weeks ago. The team also had Helen Wyman (6th) and Cath Hare (11th) in significant positions. The race also showed the continued return to form of Clare Gross, who played a vital team role in the first 50km of the race, helping the eventual result with her excellent ride.

The team returned to Belgium straight after the race and will be racing 3 times over the bank holiday weekend in Holland and Belgium.

Result – Weaver Valley CC – 80kms

1. Lorna Webb, Team Fat Birds UK, 2-19-30
2. Joanna Rowsell, VC Londres
3. Katie Curtis, Cardif Ajax
4. Lara Wann, VC Londres
5. Louise Mahe, Sutton CC / De Ver cycles
6. Helen Wyman, Team Fat Birds UK
7. Louise Eden, Seamons CC
8. Charlotte Colclough, Team QCP
9. Lisa Hollingshead, Raleigh ERV
10. Emma Trott, VC Londres
11. Cath Hare, Team Fat Birds UK
12. Alix Chester, Cyclestore.co.uk
13. Kirsten McClelland_Brooks, CC Giro
14. Heather Summers, Team Luciano
15. Lizzie Armitstead, Raleigh ERV
16. Diane Moss, Team Luciano
17. Helen Gutteridge, Team Luciano
18. Kim Blythe, Raleigh ERV
19. Melanie Williams, Agisko Viner
20. Jessica Roberts, Wensleydale Wheelers
21. Sarah Bailey, VC St Raphael
22. Karen Byrne, Cyclestore.co.uk
23. Melissa Mather, Team Luciano
24. Jenn O’Connor, Specialized Starters
25. Antonia Burt, Twickenham CC
26. Rebecca Webb, Rutland CC
27. Sara Burling, CC Giro
28. Tracey Fletcher, Team Fat Birds UK
29. Jessica Allen, Abergavenny RC
30. Caroline Kloiber, Rapha / Condor
31. Marie Stuart, Raleigh ERV
32. Emma Silversides, Team Fat Birds UK
33. Gabby Day, Team Fat Birds UK
34. Jenny Wright, Edinburgh RC
35. Angela Pike, Wolverhampton Wheelers
36. Rebecca Stubbs, CC Giro
37. Leda Cox, Rapha / Condor
38. Sharon Bianchi, Kent Valley RC
39. Elizabeth Clayton, CC Giro
40. Angela Hunter, GS Strada
41. Yolandi Du Toit, Team Fat Birds UK
42. Rachel Heal, Victory Brewing
43. Sarah Byrne, Cyclestore.co.uk
44. Jeanette Tebbutt, Team Luciano, at 8-48
45. Clare Cross, Team Fat Birds UK, at 11-40
46. Kate Foster, Agisko Viner, at 13-20
47. Sarah Heal, unattached, at 2 laps
48. Ellin Mostyn, Cyclestore.co.uk, at 2 laps

For more information see:

Links:
• www.teamfbuk.com
• www.helenwyman.com
• www.claregross.co.uk
• www.gabbyday.com
• www.emmasilversides.com

Cath Hare drives the FBUK train © Larry Hickmot – British Cycling

Emma Silversides © Larry Hickmot – British Cycling

Helen Wyman led a strong team © Larry Hickmot – British Cycling