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.