Rachel Osborn of Newport Cycling Club sprinted clear of the field to win her first ever road race after instigating a break half way through the Twickenham CC organised Women’s Team Race Series event.
Held on the smaller Valley End course of the Windlesham circuit, the race took place in breezy conditions which were hard on some of the less fit – although there was a high pace for most of the race.
The first serious effort came with just 11 miles covered when Susannah Osborne went of the front.
She was caught after a mile and another attack two miles later was brought back. With 19 miles covered, Michelle Buck, tried her luck but it was short lived as well.
Then an Agiskoviner rider attacked but with 24 miles under the wheels Rachel went away.
This caused an immediate split in the bunch as Dorothea Cockerell, Rebecca Curley, Sarah Cramoysan, Jeanette Caldicott and Joanne McRae tagged along.
Slowly at first the distance eked out until the gap was 200 metres, then 300 metres – then the break was really gone from sight in the twisting lanes.
The group rapidly gained nearly four minutes as the bunch resigned themselves, although urged on by Jayne Paine on occasions, to looking for the minor placings.
Into the final kilometre and Dorothea Cockerell attacked. She was closely followed by Osborne until at the yellow flag Osborne came cleanly around her to record a notable win.
After the prize presentation, Rachel said: “It was a good race, well marshalled; I only started racing last year although before that I had done some mountain biking but it was while I was writing my thesis that brought a proper bike.
“The break rode well today with all of the riders working, which is why we had such a large gap at the finish.”
Lisa West and the Twickenham club worked hard to put this race on in place of a cancelled event and congratulations must go to them all.
