Harriet Evans describes today’s action at R3 of the NRCA Spring Series at Old

After entering my first ever road race last weekend, getting dropped in the first lap and spending the majority of the race on my own, NCRA round 3 was very much successful for me today. I was in Group 1 which started off strong with 13 in the group and everyone working together really well and effectively. We stayed together without being caught by another group for the whole of the first lap. With a tailwind on the road to Lamport rather than a screaming headwind like last weekend, it was much more comfortable and fairly enjoyable!

On the second lap, group 2 caught us halfway round and we all ended up forming a larger group working together which meant I could tuck in and gain some valuable recovery time, I managed to stay with this group until the end of the second lap. Third lap out of Old, I was caught out on the drag uphill towards the junction and found myself at the back of the group where I ended up dropping off with a couple of other Welland Valley riders. We worked as a 3 then until the end picking up a Kettering CC member along the way. During this lap we were caught by group 3, tried to hang on but my reaction times weren’t quick enough!

With an honourable lead out from Stuart Haycox on the final road towards the hill finish, I managed a sprint finish up the hill out of our group of 4 riders!

Great event by Kettering CC and so enjoyable to be surrounded with yellow jerseys!!  Congratulations to WVCC riders Sarah Mee (2nd woman) and Chris Ofeur (3rd mens) for picking up some prize money – very well deserved!

Alex Smith put last week’s crash behind to finish 4th overall and 1st Junior.

Thank you Harriet, and well done all.