MALVERN’S Evie Richards retained her under-23 women’s National Cyclo-Cross title in emphatic style on Sunday, leading from the front and blowing her rivals away.
The former world champion – who won a senior World Cup race in Namur before Christmas – powered up the opening climb forming a gap and increased her lead to over a minute by the finish.
“I knew I wanted to get away early on because it’s such a fast course and I haven’t been feeling great in the last few days – I felt a bit empty but I managed to hold the lead and that’s what I wanted to do,” said the two-time champion.
“I’m quite unconfident sometimes when it comes to the races.
“I was really shocked with that race in Namur, so every time I come to the race I’m really unsure of what I’m going to do.
“I just take each race as it comes and today was another good race so hopefully the confidence will build a bit before the World Championships.”
There was drama in the opening road start with Sophie Wright (100% ME) hitting the barriers and seeing her chances dashed while several other riders also came down.
Behind Richards fellow Malvern youngster 16-year-old Harriet Harnden (T-Mo Racing) attacked the chasing pack for second overall and with it clinched the national Junior title in superior fashion.
The medal placings in the under-23 was a tough battle between Ffion James (Abergavenny Road Club), Anna Kay (EDCO Continental) and Emily Wadsworth (100& ME).
A surge from Kay saw James put in trouble, leaving the two Under-23 rivals to battle it out for bronze – with the former eventually crossing the line solo to take the medal.
Ahead of that battle, Harnden was storming the Junior competition with Alderney Baker (Team Empella Cyclo-Cross.com) and Amy Perryman (Hargroves-Ridley-Montezum’s) locked in a close battle for second and third – Perryman eventually powering clear of her rival to take silver.