Rider blog: Frankie White reflects on 2012

Frankie reflects on her 2012 season and the difficulties of juggling work and racing - Frankie White's Blog: The bike life balance

Meet the team!

Following the release of the details of the exciting new line up for next year, the girls were contacted by the lovely Heather Bamforth (cycling shorts) for their thoughts on the new team members, targets for next season and the development of Women's cycling in the North West. Some of the development races have been included on our new 2013 race calendar, which will be updated as more information becomes available.

Click here to see the interview.

TEAM NEWS - New riders for 2013

We are proud to announce two new riders for next season Lauryn Theryn and Joanne Blakeley who will join current riders Eve Dixon, Frankie White, Melissa Bury and Nicola Soden.



Lauryn and Nicola Minichiello

Lauryn has a wildly varying but successful sporting career to date. Athletics was her main sport up until the age of 20 when she became thrower who competed in the Javelin and Discus at World Youth Games and Commonwealth Games. She then turned to Bobsleigh in 2006 where she competed for Great Britain on the Europa Cup Circuit, World Cup Circuit and at the World Championships, ranking 6th in the World. 

Lauryn collecting her silver medal in
the team sprint

Lauryn took up cycling in 2011 after attending a talent transfer programme run by UK Sport called Girls 4 Gold. She joined the Cardiff Jif Cycling Club winning Welsh National medals in road and track. She has also played Rugby and was selected for the England 7's Development Squad.

Jo goes for an attack at the Women's
National Road Race - the Surf & Turf
2 day (stage 1), thanks edrollasonphotography!

Jo is relatively new to cycling after coming from a running background. She was shortlisted for the Girls 4 Gold programme and rode with local club Seamons CC this year in her first 'proper' road season. She won the TLI National Road Race Championship and has finished top twenty in National Women's Road Race Series Races. She is also a very strong time trialist with several wins and podium places and 5^th at the National Hill Climb Championships this year.

We are really proud of what the team has achieved this year with top tens and podiums in the National Women’s Road Race Series, National Women’s Team Series and races in Belgium and Holland. There have also been top National Championship performances, with Nicola placing 10^th in the National Scratch Race Championship, Melissa winning Rollapoluza National Championship and coming second in the Grass Track 800m National Championship and most recently hill climbs with Eve winning the National Junior Women’s title for the second year running. 
With the new team members, we are confident we can achieve even more next year!

The team would like to thank all the sponsors for their continued support.

Our 2013 line up
Eve Dixon
Frankie White
Joanne Blakeley
Lauryn Therin
Melissa Bury
Nicola Soden

Rider blog - Eve Dixon on her 2012 season

Picture by edrollasonphotography.co.uk

Eve Dixon's Blog: The ups and downs of bike racing: Eve writes about her 2012 season, which has had plenty of ups and downs. She is a smashing rider and we're proud to have her on the team.

Onwards and upwards for 2013, we've got a feeling its going to be your year Eve!

National Hill Climb Championships 2012

Eve climbing the toughest section of the
Rake into a headwind

Well done to Eve this weekend for succesfully defending her as National Junior Women's Hill Climb Champion. Brilliant ride by Nicola too who, after working really hard in the build up to the championships, crashed into the barrier at the start but still managed a more than respectable time of 3:36 and 6th woman in the competition - click here to read Nicola's blog. The weather was a bit to be desired, but a fantastic competition and a tough climb. Thanks to Stuart, Richard, Ian, Jo, Mick and everyone else who helped out.

The National Hill Climb Championships 2012 - The Rake

The steepest section of the climb

The start list is out for the final race of the year - the National Hill Climb Championships on the notorious Ramsbottom Rake (in Ramsbottom). Nicola and Eve will both be representing Champion Systems/Maxgear/Kyklos in the championship - click here to see pre race report and start list from Velouk

The climb is 875 metres long, but ramps up to 22% at the finish - brilliant for spectators. See below for a video of the climb.



Nicola at Monsal Head

The girls have both been climbing well lately with Eve finishing second at Jubilee Towers and Nicola winning at Pea Royd Lane and Holme Moss as well as second at Peaslows, Riber and Bank Road and third at Monsal Head hill climbs. Eve is hoping to retain her title as National Junior Women's Hill Climb Champion. Come along and give them some support on Sunday 28th October - Eve is off at 12:43 and Nicola 12:52.

Top Ten for Nicola in National Scratch Race Championships

In her first ever National Track Championships at the end of September Nicola raced brilliantly, finishing tenth in a scratch race, which ended up a bunch finish won by veteran Janet Birkmyre. The day before she also placed thirteenth in a gruelling 120 lap points race, in which many riders retired.
Eve who finished 7th in the senior points race in 2011 had to withdraw due to her crash at Newport, although has recovered well and will return for the final race of the year - the National Hill Climb Championships at The Rake.

Hayley's 5 week visit to America

We've all been dying to find out what Hayley has been up to in America, leading up to her podium spot at the Newport Nocturne. Well, here it is... Hayley Edward's Blog: America!

Podium for Hayley Edwards at the Newport Nocturne!

edrollasonphotography.co.uk

The team rode a fantastic race at the weekend at the Newport Nocturne! The crowds were 18,000 strong and lined the town centre circuit, rather like a Belgium Kermesse with people watching from their front gardens! The circuit had a tough uphill cobbled section following a sharp right hander, but the girls handled it brilliantly all managing to stay in the lead group. Eve and Hayley each won a prime lap and after some brilliant positioning on the final lap Hayley crossed the finish line in third! Check out her race report Hayley Edward's Blog: Podium at The Newport Nocturne!!

Eve Dixon crashed out during the sprint and was sent to hospital with head injuries, but is out and well (just with a bit of bruising). 

Well done to all of you for a brilliant race, hopefully the Nocturne will sport another womens race next time?

Guest rider Jo Smith second to World Champion Lucy Garner at Darley Moor

Jo Smith, who has been racing the French National Road Race Series this year, sprinted into second place at Darley Moor from World Champion Lucy Garner.
A group of four including Garner, Karla Boddy and Jessie Walker, managed to escape from the main group just after the second prime and worked hard to obtain minutes over the main field.
Nicola and Lauren who were back in the main group both managed top tens, placing Champion System/Maxgear/Kyklos second team on the day.

It was a pleasure to have Jo racing with us and we hope she'll be back next year!

Maxgearettes Gear up for the Newport Nocturne

With upcoming city centre crit in Newport the girls are getting some good circuit racing results in...
Eve came 7th in Scottish National Criterium Championships at the weekend and finished in the top 20 last night among Elite men at Salt Ayre to tie up the win in the womens league!
Further south, Nicola finished 6th in the mens race at Tameside and is now only 6 points away from her 2nd category licence.

Eve picks up the prizes for winning the
women's league at Salt Ayre

Hayley has also been away in America getting a few wins in on the track!

The girls really enjoyed the Johnsons Health Tech Tour Series races earlier in the year which was increased to 5 rounds from the 3 in the previous year and are really excited to get an opportunity to tear up the streets in Newport next month! We think its great that more and more people are putting on first class womens racing.

Mel finds some form in Belgium

Mel finishes 8th in Izegem in Belgium after taking time out to focus on her A-Levels and less than a couple of months back on the bike. Go Mel! One talented young lady!

Nicola gets her first top ten at the Auchterlonie Memorial Stage Race, Wales

Nicola and Mel after the Crit

Nicola places 8th in the Auchterlonie Memorial Stage Race last weekend in Wales due to a consistently strong performance across all 3 stages. Day 1 began with a 5m TT and was followed by a technical criterium around part of the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells in the pouring rain. At the end of day 1 Nicola held 8th place on the General Classification with a 55mile hilly road race remaining on day 2. Nicola rode well and was still in the main field which had been whittled down to 18 with 1 to go. She went for a long one with 1km to go, but got swamped at the 200m mark. She managed to finish mid bunch hanging on to her 8th place on the General Classification.

Eve Dixon's Blog: Back to racing with a bang!

Eve Dixon's Blog: Back to racing with a bang!: Eve finishes her exams and celebrates in true cyclist manner - crit racing in torrential rain! She then takes a trip to Belgium to join Mel for some Junior racing and had a go at a senior elite race in Belgium where she did rather well! Read her blog for more!

Exams over, Mel gets back to racing in Belgium!

Melissa Bury's Blog: A Levels Finished, Let the Holidays Begin....: After a busy few weeks of exams and revision, Mel jumps into the deep end by racing in Belgium to kick start her training!

Maxgear Launches new website

We strongly suggest you check out Maxgear's new slick website (www.maxgear.co.uk) . We love the compression clothing (currently 60% off)!

Rider blog update - Nicola reports on some recent racing experiences

Nicola at Hillingdon on some
swish Edcos

Nicola Soden's Blog: A few races under the belt: Check out Nicola's report on recent races including the first round of the Johnsons Heath Tech Tour Series at Oxford, Hillingdon GP and the new addition to the team series at Banbury on a brilliant course.

Rider blog update - Eve's final race before A-Levels, the Junior National Road Race Championships

Eve Dixon's Blog: Junior National Championships - my last race befor...: Eve writes about her gutsy ride in the Junior National Road Race Championships. Back to her usual attack, attack, attack style after being ill during the Cheshire Classic. She will be taking a break during her A-Levels (sensible girl) before returning to racing in about a months time. Good luck for your exams Eve! 

Video by Welsh Cycling

Rider blog update: Melissa finally shakes cold in time for A-Levels & wins Roller Challenge

Melissa Bury's Blog: Got a Cold!!!!!!!! Its Only Just Gone and I've Jus...: Melissa blogs about overcoming a month long cold she picked up in Belgium, more A-Level revision and a cheeky roller racing competition win, following her win in the National Rollapoluza Championships, gaining 2 free tickets to watch the Tour De France in Paris. Lucky Girl!!

Rider blog update: Hayley wins at Blackpool!

Hayley Edward's Blog: My win at Blackpool!: Hayley blogs about her win and Maxgear Women's RT domination at Blackpool - attacks throughout the race and a 1/2 putting Lauren just 1 point away from obtaining her 2nd Category licence!

Rider blog update: Lauren wins at Salt Ayre

Lauren Brown's Blog: My first crit win!: Lauren continues her strong start to the year with her first win at Salt Ayre and third at Tockwith! Read here blog HERE

Rider blog update: Eve and Mel race at the Brabantse Piljs

Eve Dixon's Blog: The Junior Brabantse Piljs: Eve blogs about racing the Brabantse Piljs support race for the Pro Classics race which the Pro Champion Systems Team were riding. The race itself featured 13 laps up a cobbled climb on a damp circuit with massive crowds. A tough and exciting race in which Eve finished 7th and Mel 20th! Girls we can safely say you both did us and Champion Systems Proud!

Good Friday, Great Results!

Warming up - Ed Rollason

After a hectic week of snow and blocked roads it was touch and go as to whether the Buxton CC Mountain Time Trial would go ahead. Fortunately, sunny weather on Thursday meant the snow had melted enough for the event to go ahead. On arrival, the weather was drizzly, cold and somewhat misty. Hayley, Nicola and Frankie all warmed up together then headed up to the start line for an epic 22mile hilly time trial! With a headwind up the headclimb (just what everyone needs), Hayley suffered with her asthma and decided (sensibly) not to continue. Nicola and Frankie continued to finish 4th and 6th respectively in the womens category, with Sarah Storey of For Viored taking the win. Click HERE to read Nicola's blog

Meanwhile... Eve was racing the first event of the team series at Hog Hill. She started at the back, but in true Eve style grafted her way to the front, looking comfortable throughout. A few attacks went away but were pulled back. Good positioning in the final lap and strong legs lead to a 2nd place and a very happy Eve!
Click HERE to see Eve's blog

The day was topped off when Mel travelled to London to defend her title at the Rollapaluza, roller racing final. She qualified with the fastest time and sailed through the knock out rounds, going on to win the title again and the £200 1st prize!
Click HERE to see Mel's blog

Successful team weekend and more upcoming bike racing!



The girls getting ready for their training ride

The girls have had a pretty successful previous two weeks. Two wins out of two at Salt Ayre followed by a great fun at their team weekend based in Kendal (see Lauren's blog for more).





They have all have exciting events coming up in their calenders:

On Friday Nicola, Frankie and Hayley will all compete in the notoriously tough Buxton CC Mountain Time Trial around Longnor against the likes of Para World TT Champ Sarah Storey. Nicola will also be competiting in a Hill Climb and the Easter Monday Track meeting in Manchester over the Easter weekend.

Meanwhile Eve and Melissa will be heading to Europe over the weekend. On the way down they will be stopping off at London for Eve to race the first team series race of the year at Hog Hill and Melissa will be defending her title at Rollapoluza.
Then its off to Holland on Saturday for a 50km junior criterium in Holland. They then plan to watch Paris-Roubaix on the Sunday through the Arenberg Forest and the finish at the velodrome. Monday they will race Kermesse in Holland, followed by a rest day, then a junior support race for one of the Spring Classics in Belgium which the pro Champion Systems Team will be racing. For more details on the plans for their trip see Mel's blog.
Like us on facebook for pictures and videos from last years trip.

The next big upcoming race will the the opening National Road Race Series - the Cheshire Classic

Maxgear takes the win at Salt Ayre!

The third round of Salt Ayre this weekend (and our teams first) was welcomed with baking sun – perfect weather to start our cycling tans!!

We all warmed up together on the rollers – Mel’s Garmin said it was 26 degrees (although it was only really about 18) as we listened to the team talk from manager Ian. The previous week at Tameside hadn’t been too successful, as due to some schoolgirl errors and lack of effective team work, we had let the two Dirt Wheeler girls get away. It wasn’t going to happen this time.

We all rolled up to the start line and from the off controlled the race from the front, making and covering most of the moves in the race. The team worked really well together with all riders nipping off the front. No breaks got away and with 5 laps to go it was clear it was going to come down to a bunch sprint. The final few laps were fairly slow with most of the riders looking at each other, waiting for each other to attack. We organised ourselves into a lead-out train with Melissa (who had come third the previous week at Tameside) at the end, ready for the sprint. With 1 to go Eve went for the sprint, totally committing to the lead out, followed by Lauren. Out of the final bend Melissa catapulted herself from Laurens wheel to take the victory by a clear few bike lengths!

After doing a few of the season starter crits, we think that they are a great way to encourage new female riders into the sport in a welcoming environment and we hope that there can be more of these going forward.

See here for pictures taken from the day.

Rider Blog Update - Melissa Bury brings the Orca out of hibernation

Melissa Bury's Blog: Its Light In The Morning!: Mel brings her beloved Orca out of hibernation, and it didn't let her down at Tameside this weekend with her third place in the womens criterium. She also talks a little about her plans for racing in Europe early next month in an exciting kick start to her 2012 season, where herself and Eve will travel to Belgium and Holland to race 5 races in a 9 day trip. First stop London for the Rollapoluza final! Exciting times!

Rider blog update: Hayley Edwards first race of the season and series of nail ruining punctures

Hayley Edward's Blog: Two nail breaking punctures, first race of 2012 an...: Hayley blogs about meeting her team mates for the first time, her first race of the season and an unlucky series of punctures, repaired with freshly painted nails....! Typical!

Four podiums in three days!

It’s been a successful weekend for the Maxgearettes...

Nicola won the scratch and course des primes races and finished third in the points race at the Manchester Regional Track league, moving her up to joint third woman overall in the points table.

At the Tameside women's criterium on Sunday, Mel won the bunch kick to finish third, where Frankie and Hayley also finished in the top ten giving the team a great kick start to the 2012 race season.


The girls are looking forward to a team training camp this weekend in the lakes, where they will be racing the Women's only criterium at Salt Ayre and get the chance to train together as a team for the first time.  

6th rider added to the Maxgear Womens Race Team

We are pleased to welcome Hayley Edwards to the Maxgearettes. Hayley moves from Halesowen with a wealth of experience, racing in the UK and Belgium with some great results!

The team is now bigger and stronger than last year so there will be many more opportunities to work as a team. Our riders are all from different backgrounds with different strengths and it should be really interesting to see how they can work together.

Following the recent successes in the Mersey Tunnel Time Trial, Track Leagues and Rollapoluza the Maxgearettes are set for an exciting season!

Check out Hayley's blog HERE

Melissa wins the Manchester round of Rollapoluza!

Maxgearettes Mel smashed the opposition at Rollapoluza to win, setting the fastest female time to date - 22.06 seconds over 500 metres on a bike fixed to a set of rollers - which would have placed her 3rd in the Men's competition. Nicola came second in an all Maxgear final. Matt Rotherham (GB sprint squad) won the men's competition, setting sub 22 second qualifying times.
The event was held at the Antwerp Mansion off Wilmslow Road, with a great urban atmosphere. The competition will head down to London on Good Friday where the girls will compete in the final round for the overall title, which Melissa has held for the previous two years!

Rider blog update: Eve rides the Coal Road Challenge (and gets a PB)

Eve Dixon's Blog: The coal road challenge..: Eve rides an eventful Coal Road Challenge up around Ingleton in the lakes. She beat her PB by 10 minutes, while her Dad repairs a puncture..!  

10 Minutes of Hell

What an experience the girls had this afternoon, zooming down under the river Mersey and climbing back up from Birkenhead to Liverpool and back through the Queensway tunnel.

The girls performed exceptionally well in their Champion System speedsuits and Limar Speed Demon helmets with Nicola Soden taking 4th in the women’s event (read her blog 10 minutes (and more) of hell), won by former National TT Champion Julia Shaw.

Overall the event was won by Team Sky Professional, Alex Dowsett by almost a minute to second place Ryan Mullen with a time of 8.25. For full results click here

The event was extremely well executed by Vita Cycles, providing closed roads, live commentary, music and police support. They even managed to bring the sun out! We will definitely be riding the event again next year!

Many thanks to Martin Pounder (Moore & Large) for use of his Limar Time Trial helmets.

Rider update - Eve Dixon on enjoying half term & her new Edco Wheels

Eve Dixon's Blog: Bad weather, car crashes and A-Level exams - thank...: Eve blogs about her disppointment at missing the team launch (although Nicola picked up her awesome new Edco Wheels). In Kendal they've had lots of snow lately, but the thaw has come just in time for some half term training..

 

 

Ten Minutes of Hell Time Trial

This weekend Frankie, Mel and Nicola will be rolling up to the start line in their Champion System speedsuits for the 'Ten Minutes of Hell Time Trial', promoted by Vita Cycles.
Making up 1/3 of the female line up, the Maxgearettes are set to make an impression against world class riders including Julia Shaw.

The time trial is just 4miles long, passing under the Mersey tunnel and back, so legs fresh from winter track league may prove an advantage!

Let the sprint begin!

Rider blog updates - Maxgear Team Launch, freezing cold and bacon butties!

Nicola, Frankie and Mel blog about their team launch experience, getting in to frozen cars, exploding wheel rims, bacon butties and looking forward to the 2012 race season with Champion System/Maxgear/Kyklos...

Click to view Nicola's blog

Click to view Frankie's blog

Click to view Mel's blog

Maxgear Team Launch Video - Part 1

Maxgear Team Launch: Snow, brand new Kyklos bikes and true northern grit

We had snow, hail, freezing conditions but that didn't stop the tough Maxgear RT getting on their new Kyklos bikes at the team launch!

Riders, sponsors, friends and family started arriving at the spectacular Matfen Hall before 9am ready for the presentation (and coffee/bacon sandwiches!).
The presentation included a brief speech from each team rider including acheivements, goals and the team philosophy. The top class sponsors for 2012 were introduced including; Champion System whose warm clothing proved invaluable on the team ride, Verolli distribution with the Kyklos FW plus framesets and Swiss wheel building experts Edco, Moore & Large with their 4za components, kmc chains, jagwire cables, Lake shoes, Limar helmets and Kenda tyres, YourSportsFuel and last but not least Maxgear who provides the glasses, kit bags and team management.

The snow began to fall as the riders headed out for a couple of hours ride with professional photographer John Picton. The ride was tough and conditions poor, but the riders pushed on showing that the team is build from true Northern Grit.

What was really clear from the team launch was that everyone has the same thing in common - their passion for cycling and pure enjoyment in the sport. The weekend was great fun (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOzP147o9X4 if you don't believe us). Some fantastic shots were taken, it was a great opportunity to get to know the generous sponsors for this year and a great boost for 2012. Let the wins begin....


Click here to see Velouk's report and blog by sponsor Martin Pounder from Moore & Large (Todays Cyclist). More pictures from the day and riders reports coming soon....

Maxgear win the Revolution Series AGAIN!!!

So ChampionSystems/Maxgear/Kyklos win the series overall for the second year in a row!!! A fantastic
night of racing, displaying teamwork second to none from the Maxgear youth team, resulting in a win for Jake Ragan for the overall series! 

The derny racing proved very exciting racing and was won by Simon Yates after winning the National Madison Champs earlier in the day (yes, Maxgear.. again!) with pro 6 day rider Michael Morkov finishing a close second. Some FAST sprinting from Chris Hoy taking the keirin too!

We can't wait for Revolution series to start again in the autumn!

The new Kyklos/Maxgear team frame also caught a lot of attention at the Maxgear stand!

Next stop Matfen Hall for the team launch... 

Maxgear lead into the final Revolution and reveal the new Kyklos bike

This Saturday Maxgear go into the final round of the Revolution Series in the lead hoping to defend their 2011 title. UK Youth and CHEP are both within 10 points .. so expect sparks to fly!
Also at the Revolution the new Champion System Kyklos bike will be on display so make sure you visit the stand by Reggie!

The weekend after the team head up to the beautiful Matfen Hall in Northumberland for the team launch. Photos, videos and more to follow...

Rider blog update: New rider Lauren blogs about her switch from track sprinter to road racer

Lauren Brown's Blog: Grass track cycling, sprinting and intro to road r...: Lauren blogs about her introduction to cycling through grass track, her strengths as a sprinter and her hard work this winter to enable her to be competitive in her first season racing in the Women's Road Races Series this year!

Rider blog update: Frankie on her two great loves - Outdoors & Food!

Frankie White: My two great loves, the outdoors and food!: Frankie writes about how the Pyrenees got her into cycling and her excitement for the upcoming Maxgear Team Launch at Matfen Hall. 

New riders announced for 2012 season

Maxgear are proud to welcome two new female riders from the North West for the 2012 season. Frances White from the Manchester University Team and Lauren Brown from Border City Wheelers will join riders Eve Dixon, Mel Bury and Nicola Soden.



Frankie has come from a running background and turned to cycling in 2010 when she toured the Pyrenees. She is an extremely strong rider, dabbling in some CDNW races in 2011 as well as the BUCS road race and hill climb events as a student at Manchester University and is a welcome addition to the team (regularly bringing flapjack and other goodies to cycling events!)





Lauren is from a strong track background coming 2nd in the Grass Track Nationals is 2011 and regularly winning races at the Manchester Regional Track League on a Friday night. An awesome sprinter is also something the Maxgear Women's team will benefit from.





Team manager Ian Bury comments ''The riders will add an exciting new edge to the team, with the different backgrounds they come from and strengths they will bring to the table. 2012 will be a great year for the Women's Team and I'm really looking forward to seeing how the team unfolds''

Melissa Bury's 2011 cycling season in pictures

Melissa Bury's Blog: Its the end of 2011 so rather than write lots of w...: Mel posts some of her more fun cycling shots from the year. Plenty more fun times to be had in 2012!