This Saturday saw the London Phoenix women in action at Hog Hill for Round 1 of the Women’s Team Series. With a field of 100 riders this was actually the biggest women’s cycle race in the UK ever! It was great to be part of that.

There were a few pre-race nerves about the size of the field as non of us have raced in something that big before. For Aoife it was her first ever race, what an introduction! The plan for us was to stick as close to the front as we could and hold on to the bunch for as long as we could.

Due to the size of the field the race was neutralised behind a moped for half a lap before things kicked off at the bottom of the circuit. An early break went out and the bunch let them go, keeping a fairly steady pace going including kicking it up over the Hoggenberg itself. Over the race there were a few riders that bridged to the breakaway but the bunch was kept in control by the bigger teams who had riders in the break. Bella and Mhairi managed to keep themselves up in the top part of the bunch, working to hold that position and not get pushed back. Rachael and Aoife held on to the bunch for a while but then found themselves working in the second group on the circuit, still staying in good contention. Overall a great start to the season and good practice for the LWCR season opener next weekend.