RIDER BLOG: Janet Birkmyre - off season motivation

Everyone struggles to want to ride their bike in the cold, miserable depths of winter - even National, European and World Masters Champion Janet Birkmyre. Have a read of how she motivates herself in an honest and truly brilliant blog - click here.

TEAM NEWS: Birkmyre and Byrne join Maxgear

We are very proud to introduce two additional riders to strengthen the team for 2013.

Janet becomes National Scratch
Champion (Guy Swarbrick)

Janet Birkmyre is predominantly a track rider who has won countless titles including 18 World Masters Championship races, 17 European Masters titles, 31 National Masters titles, the National Scratch Champion in 2012 and National Derny Championships in 2008. Janet has also won the National Omnium Series six times as well as numerous records.

Sarah in the National RR Champs (Neil Hendry)

Sarah Byrne has raced both road and track, although has focused more on road in recent years. Sarah's most impressive result was 11th (and first non-professional cyclist) in the National Race Championships last year working in a small group with the likes of Nicole Cooke and Katie Colclough. Sarah is also 3 times West Midlands Road Race Champion and finished 4th in the National Hill Climb Championships.



Both riders offer something extra to the team and we are very much looking forward to racing with them both!

The first ever CDNW Women's Road Race League - Pimbo

martinholdenphotography.co.uk

Sunday was a great day for the whole Maxgear Race Team at the first round of CDNW - Pimbo. In all the three races; the women's race and men's E/1/2 and 3/4 races, Maxgear were a dominant force showing some solid teamwork!

In the E/1/2 race Jake Ragan and Dillon Byrne were in an early break with Rapha and finished 2nd and 4th.

In the mens race the guys made an epic effort to bring back a break of two, narrowly missing out on catching them by a few metres with Wayne Greenhalgh finishing 4th. 

 



Jo attacks! edrollasonphotography.co.uk

In our race, part of the first ever CDNW Women's Road Races series, the girls worked extremely well as a team, attacking in the early stages until Jo Blakeley got away and stayed away for more than half the race. Her lead extended to over 28 seconds on the bunch, but unfortunately the long straights on the course meant that she was never out of sight and was dragged back with just two laps to go. Eve and Frankie then lead out Lauryn for the sprint, who finished 2nd, narrowly missing out on the win. Lauryn and Jo also won the primes! A big thank you to Heather Bamforth for making these races happen.

 

Lauryn Therin in full sprint! martinholdenphotography.co.uk

Welcome to Jo Blakeley to the Maxgearettes!

Take a look at Jo's first blog with her goals and aspirations for 2013.  We think you'll have no problem going under the hour Jo!   
Jo Blakeley's blog: My Bike and I

Top 5 for Nicola in first ever UK indoor criterium

At the Rapha Women's Elite Indoor Nocturne at the London Excel this weekend, the first ever indoor criterium race,  Nicola placed 5th, their group lapping the rest of the field.
The race was flat out from the start, with Clemence Copie attacking from the whistle and staying away the whole race. The chasing group of 4 including Alice Barnes and Louise Mahe tried to bring back the leader but it was difficult with the twisty nature of the circuit. The gap came down to ten seconds at one point during the race,but the group couldn't quite make it  leaving the four to contest a sprint for second place.

Nicola's impressive result is a sign of better things to come for her and the rest of the team in 2013. Click the link below to read Nicola's blog.

Nicola Soden's Blog: London Bike Show Rapha Elite Women’s Indoor London...:

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.