Abingdon Crit Races, 3 Oct 2020

This was my first race in a women's race team so I was really looking forward to having some support while racing. 

There was a strong field of women in the 2/3/4 races. I hadn't ever raced in the rain before so I struggled to get used to the reduced vision from the water spraying off the wheel in front. I used the first race to build my confidence with cornering in the wet, and to find where the oily parts were on the circuit. I managed to keep at the back of the main group and came in 8th place. I was more confident in the second and third races; I managed to keep in the main bunch for the majority, and just about caught up onto the breaking group towards the end of both races. I wasn't strong enough to compete with the two who consistently won 1st and 2nd, but I was very happy to get a sprint finish in and come 5th and 7th in the second and third race respectively. Overall 7th place in the rankings, and much higher than last time!

Next time I need to work on staying in the drops. I'm not fully confident with staying in the drops as I've been out of racing for a while, but it's getting easier. I'm also looking forward to working together better with the Abingdon Race Team ladies next week!

Frances Lammyman

Judith Parry