The wee village of Munlochy on the Black Isle saw one of the biggest fields for a women’s race in Scotland this year. The field was made up of experienced riders and some first timers, from juniors to vet category – it was a beautiful thing. 40 riders took to the start line, just outside the hall and you could feel the buzz building. The peleton stayed together for a lap of this rolly course and it was at the beginning of the second lap, climbing up through Munlochy, that splits began to form. This lap saw the first Queen of the Mountains hill prime, taken by one of the race favourites, Gabriella Nordin of Pedal Power. There was an unfortunate touch of wheels and a couple of riders came down just before the QOM, thankfully Sarah Barry (Glasgow Wheelers) is doing okay. The bunch stayed together at about 20 riders with a few digs coming up through Munlochy, as expected.
The 4th lap saw the second QOM prime and this time it was another race favourite in Edinburgh RC’s Peigi Series with Gabriella second. This gave them a tie! Evgenia Ilyinskaya of Edinburgh RC saw her chance when everyone eased off after the prime and made a strong attack. Deeside Thistle and Moray Firth CC quickly sent riders to the front to chase her down. She held off for some time but the long downhill back to Munlochy gave the chasing bunch the advantage and she was reeled in just before the climb started again. A few more attacks came but nothing stuck and the bunch, now 17 riders, took the last long drag up to Tore easy in preparation for a bunch sprint. The race was on.
Peigi Series took the sprint from Ashleigh Fraser (Deeside Thistle) with another Deesider Thistle girl, Emily Middleditch, completing the podium. Edinburgh RC road a strong team race to take the team prize too.
All in all a cracking day, quote of the day coming from a first time rider who has ‘caught the buzz’! Me too. I loved it. Now, it’s siesta time!
Peigi Series (ERC) winning the sprint for the line
Thanks to Donnie for photos – more here
Results
Full Results (http:://mfcc.org.uk/womens-road-race-results)
Overall
1 Peggy Series Edinburgh RC
2 Ashleigh Fraser Deeside Thistle CC
3 Emily Middleditch Deeside Thistle CC
QOM
1 = Peggy Series Edinburgh RC and Gabriella Nordin Pedal Power RT
3 Laura Nicolson Moray Firth Cycling Club
Team
Edinburgh RC
Vet
1 Anne Murray Moray Firth Cycling Club
2 Kate Whiteside Ben Wyvis Cycle Club
4th Cat
1 Natalie Munro Unattached
2 Julianna Rourke Edinburgh RC 4th
{note: one rider one prize}