You are reading a single comment by @The_Seldom_Killer and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
This site is supported almost exclusively by donations. Please consider donating a small amount regularly.
@The_Seldom_Killer
A stick day today for Trophy up in Derby. It's a flat course and fast if you aren't drifting on the banking. A far different day to last year's soupy conditions. A lack of shouldering opportunities meant that riders weren't doing much to clean their own bikes so changes were fast and frequent.
The women's and juniors race started in warming sunshine but descended into freezing fog quite quickly. Those in short sleeves were made to pay a high price. Series leader in the Elite women's race Amira Mellor didn't need to race having already done enough in previous rounds but still took a decent second to Annie Simpson. She's a strong talent and you can expect her to be a rising star when she turns Senior next year.
The Vet womens race was a bit of an upset in the running order. Usual podium fixture Marie Jackson was beaten back to fifth. Perenial fourthish Alison Kinloch edged her out in a surprise show of good form. Tracey Fletcher, course favourite after dominating in last year's champs had to work had to hold third. Frequent top of the midfield Liz Clayton had a stunning race to second place which she attributed to her first ever race on tubs. Maddie Smith, not a favourite on the flatter courses caught out the field by disappearing off the front at the start. With the closing fog they never really saw her again. At one point she was told to stop looking back because there was no one to see. Relatively new to the national circuit she's been an impressive rider to watch from the off. Definitely going to be marked at the Champs and I hope will try her hand at the Masters.