An encouraging showing from our 4th cat riders over the holiday weekend, topped off with a fantastic performance from Lisa Rogers of the SVR Squadra Donne team.
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Positioning was key to ensure staying the right side of the inevitable splits in the pack as one after another riders legs gave way to the relentless slog up to the finish line. Billy and Jos both put in a strong and committed ride keeping themselves in contention throughout the race. A 7th and and 8th place respectively might have been disappointing on another day. But when over half the field fail to finish it's clear that any points at all are hard earned. Well done to both riders.
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Last race of the day was the Ladies 2/3/4 and Lisa Rogers hoped to build on a very strong performance at the National Level race at MK Bowl the day before. She had looked comfortable there, mixing it with Elites and 1/2 Cat riders at the front of the pack for the whole race. Tactics and positioning mistakes in the last lap cost her the chance of a win, but a 7th place in such a strong field was a fantastic result given Lisa's limited race experience.
Lisa leading out the national race at MK Bowl
And so to Sunday at Enstone airfield and another stern test awaited thanks to that Katie and her block headwind. Lisa was not found wanting though and spent most of the race on the front of the pack. Eventually she broke away with one other rider as the wind took its toll on those behind.
A third rider managed to bridge across with 1 lap to go and the 3 riders duked it out in a sprint for the line with Lisa managing to take both riders for her first race win!
Massive congratulations on her maiden win from all at Shutt Velo Rapide. Clearly a lot more success to come in the future.