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It is with a sense of relief that I write this final race report for the 2006 season. Relief that I was able to win the final of the Premier National Series this weekend, making 2006 a year when I remained unbeaten on the domestic scene, and also relief that I can now enjoy a period of rest and recuperation away from training and racing with the satisfaction of a job well done. Despite the odd disappointment, 2006 has been a really enjoyable season for me. As the years pass I seem increasingly able to enjoy my racing and this certainly helps retain the hunger and passion necessary to get me out training each morning.
The National Series Final was conveniently located in the southern Chilterns at the ever popular Checkendon venue. It is a few years since I have raced this circuit but it remains a technical twisty track with a couple of short sharp climbs and some fast linking sections. While it presents no major questions the constant level of concentration required can catch riders out and it is certainly a challenge to ride every section optimally for the duration of a race. It is also a circuit that lends itself to closely fought battles since there are no obvious break points. This makes it particularly good for a series final where battles decide overall results. Fortunately for me this race was not going to affect my series victory since I had already secured the title with my win at Plymouth last month. However, I still wanted to post a win to retain my 100% record!
My lead into this event was far from perfect. After my epic enduro experience two weeks ago I became ill and this led to me having to cancel my trip to the World Cup final in Austria (I think the struggle to carry a bag of groceries home a few hundred yards mid week left me in no doubt as to how weak I was). After five days of bed rest I was finally able to begin riding again last weekend and so my strength for this race was a bit of an unknown.
It was good to see a reasonable turnout on the start line for the women’s elite race. This included Specialized duo Jenn O’Connor and Kate Potter, Irish Olympian Tarja Owens, British Team rider Amy Hunt and multi sport athlete Paula Mosely. I led out from the gun and by mid way through lap one had a gap with only Amy, who had taken the expression “glued to a wheel” literally, for company. We rode in this way through most of lap one. I did get a small unexpected break at one point but Amy displayed her strength to get back with me by the end of the lap. Feeling pretty comfortable I was quite enjoying having another rider around as it enabled me to keep my concentration on the twisty stuff. At some point during lap two I found myself alone out in front. This was a little sooner than planned but, with a gap established, I set about upping my pace to consolidate the lead, enjoying the chance to really attack the singletrack and get some proper wheel drifts and air! Behind me Amy ran into problems after an off and Jenn stuck to her plan to come through for a tight second place by the finish. Meanwhile Amy continued to ride hard to make up lost ground and take an eventual third.
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While my form was eventually good enough to take the race I was certainly feeling the effort by the final lap and thankful that, with no pressure, I could ease a little in the final mile or so and enjoy my last few pedal revs of the race season. With many friends and family making the trip to watch this event I was happy that I had been able to win in front of them. We then all enjoyed watching the big event of the day, the masters men’s race, where partner Richard took a fine second place and third overall – not bad for someone who has to be dragged out on his bike during the winter months, kicking and screaming!
With the weather being kind to us this event had a great “end of term” feel to it, the series presentations, barbecue and bunny hop competition all adding to the atmosphere. Our decision to camp meant that we could relax and enjoy one of the last balmy evenings of the year and crack open the wine and beers.
I guess all that’s left to say is a big thanks to my sponsors Subaru-Gary Fisher, to all those who have supported me throughout the year and to the other girls on the UK scene who have made the year all the more fun once the racing is over.
Elite Results – Round 5
- 1 Jenny Copnall Subaru – Gary Fisher
- 2 Jennifer O’Connor Specialized Starlets
- 3 Amy Hunt Trek – SIS
- 4 Tarja Owens
- 5 Paula Moseley Climb On Bikes RT
- 6 Sophie Johnson Raleigh-ERV
- 7 Gemma Collins ACTiV Cycles
- 8 Ruth McGavigan XCracer.com
- 9 Nicky Hughes ACTiV Cycles
- 10 Ciara MacManus
- 11 Helen Findlay www.TheBicycleWorks.com
- 12 Kate Potter Specialized Starlets
Expert Results – Round 5
- 1 Maddie Horton
- 2 Kate George Specialized Starlets
- 3 Abi Greenaway
- 4 Marcia Reinhart Oxford University CC
Junior Results – Round 5
- 1 Kine Sten Holst
- 2 Amy Thompson Evans Cycles Race Team
- 3 Jessie Roberts Raleigh-ERV
- 4 Marie Stuart Raleigh-ERV
Juvenile Results – Round 5
- 1 Hannah Barnes Team Keyne – Trek
- 2 Samantha Bryant Marin UK
- 3 Claire Oakley
- 4 Alice Barnes Team Keyne – Trek
- 5 Emma Moorhouse
- 6 Elodie Lawley
Master Results – Round 5
- 1 Jodi Vickery Don’t Push It Cycling Club Bude
- 2 Joanne Henderson www.votwo.co.uk
- 3 Kate Betts
- 4 Theresa Jackson CC Luton
- 5 Joanne Middleton Chippenham & Dist Whls
- 6 Nicky Quant
- 7 Fiona Walker Sandy Wallace Cycles
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