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Women's team at the Bedford 2 day stage race · 07/05/10

The recently formed ladies test team rode hard in the Bedford Two Day. A four stage race which saw an unprecedented 90 female entries take to the Bedfordshire roads. Despite a dominating performance by Horizon Fitness, Rapha Condor ladies rode to 2nd in the team time trial. With Cath Williamson taking home the sprinters jersey and 3rd overall, Rapha Condor ladies finished 3rd overall in the team standings.

Rapha Condor Ladies formed in the early part of this year as an extension of both brands commitment to road racing and the progression of the sport. The team features a mix of part-time riders and riders with more experience. Not being able to practise their time trial tactics until the ride out to the start, the girls worked hard to place 2nd. Losing out only to Horizon Fitness, a squad which featuring professional riders Dani King, and Paralympic medallist, Sarah Storey.

Rapha Condor worked hard again during the road race on stage 2. Trying hard to force a break, Catherine Williamson and Ang Mason broke clear with another rider. A strong committed ride from Sarah Storey brought the break back. A crash on the final lap of the stage brought down Rapha Condor’s Katie Fearnhough and Angharrad Mason – who has just returned from Belgium after her first GB squad call up. Cut and bruised they rode on to finish the stage a few minutes down on the lead group.

Day 2 began with a tough individual time trial around a blustery Millbrook Speedbowl.

Director Sportif, Rene Groot, explained tactics:

“We decided to ride hard but not kill ourselves for the time trial. Our aim was to keep our positions on the GC because the team needed to be on form for the tough climbs of the road race in the afternoon.”

The rain clouds blew away for the afternoon’s road race, which consisted of nine laps around the UK’s toughest circuit at Millbrook, featuring 14% and 7% climbs. Rapha Condor’s Cath Williamson rode aggressively to force a three rider break on lap 2 which went on to dominate the race. Race leader Sarah Storey worked hard for several laps to bring back the breakaway. Horizon’s Storey and King rode across to the break and then upped the pace. In the final sprint into the speedbowl three riders remained. Storey, King and Williamson. Storey celebrated her win overall while Williamson battled King for the line. Williamson got second place and finished 3rd overall on GC.

Cath Williamson commented after the race to British Cycling’s Larry Hickmott –

“The climb on this circuit was a little bit long for me as I prefer them shorter and steeper. My prime aim today was to go for the sprints jersey as I was joint first with that. So when the break went on the hill I thought I had better get in it. The girls I was with were so strong and we worked really well together. It felt like we were away for ever.”

“By the time the chasers were coming across, I’d got the sprint award and it was a matter of hanging on. I have been away in South Africa for three months and a lot of the races there end in sprints so I have been working on that. Women’s racing in the UK has in the past been a bit negative but this and Cheshire, I don’t think there are many European races I have worked this hard in. This was very much like the nationals last year, it was brilliant.”

Condor Cycles, Managing Director Grant Young said:

“Condor has been supporting both grass roots and professional teams for over sixty years. We fully support racing at all levels and it is only natural that we support a grass roots women’s team. We hope that it will further promote the growth of cycling in this demographic as it has been gaining momentum for sometime. The riders are all excellent brand ambassadors and fantastic way to garnish feedback on products we manufacture and retail.”

Rapha Condor Ladies are supported by Specialized with helmets and women’s specific shoes. The Rapha Condor team would like to thank the race organisers and volunteers for running a fantastic race over two days, those who give their time to be involved in the team and Specialized for their continued support.

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