Asda Athletes

Cycling races have been very thin on the line for the past couple of weeks, due to the fact the olympics are on. My next big race will be next weekend, a national circuit race, then the omnium final, so these weeks off give me a chance to support our GB cycling team on the television at the olympics.

Hetton National was the best race for me so far this season. I didn’t feel confident on the day. The course suited me well, with a short climb to the finish and also a short climb in the circuit. My team manager (Chris Walker) believed I could do well, so I didn’t want to let him down.

The race went well. I made an attack but deep down I knew it would come to a bunch sprint, due to the style of the circuit. So I started to prepare myself for a sprint. Up to the finish I found a good wheel, and stayed on it until the last straight, were I went round the wheel I was on and sprinted to the line.

I managed a 2nd, which I was really happy with due to the fact I didn’t feel very confident on that day. My team mates were pleased with me and I had enjoyed the race.

Had an unlucky time at the 2012 North West Youth Tour (a 3 day event over the jubilee weekend). After having a pleasing first race, I then crashed on the second race with 5 laps to go. I got back on my bike but sadly wasn’t able to finish as well as I hoped, due to a problem with my bike from the crash. The second day, there wasn’t any crashes in my races, and my main purpose for that day was to lead my team mate (Grace Garner) to the finish, as she was in the leaders jersey. She kept the leaders jersey into the final stage, which was a hilly circuit. I had a good start, and felt strong, but with 6 laps to go I had a mechanical and was only able to use one gear going up the climbs, which resulted in me finishing not as well as I hoped.
So excluding the unlucky circumstances I still had a brilliant time, and was really happy with the rest of my team.