Claire Yearby's TT debut...

CTT Midlands Women's Series 2008 - Event 1: Leamington C&AC 10, K3/10, 16th April

The first event of the 2008 Women's Series got underway with a warm welcome from the Leamington C&AC on a chilly April evening. The club's evening 10 used the K3 course on the Fosse Way close to Offchurch. A remarkable turnout of 20 women came along and made this a fun and friendly event and it was super to see 11 newcomers amongst the faces this year. Both of last year's Series winners, Beth Crumpton (Team Chance) and Debbie Sheridan (BRAT) also returned and things are altogether looking very positive for a great season of racing amongst women in the Midlands.

The standard of racing was high in this first event too as several very experienced time triallists led the results with good times despite the cold conditions. Ruth Eyles (Beacon Roads CC) just snook under 25 minutes and Nadine Mayhew of the home club similarly just managed to do a ‘25'. Nicky Xandora (Banbury Star CC), Elizabeth Clayton (CC Giro) and Claire Sadler (Bicester Millenium CC) all came in with 26s showing their strong racing experience.

However, the results that count for the Series are the PB Improvement and Vets on Standard and the top scorers in these tables come from further down the field. Claire Yearby (Team Milton Keynes) had a convincing win in the PB Improvement in her first ever 10 mile time trial. She beat the novices' standard of 30mins by a hefty margin with her 27.44 so it will be good to see what Claire can do as she gains more experience. The other ride of real note in the Improvement category was by Fenella Brown (Beacon Roads CC) who did a personal best by 16 seconds in what were really very unfavourable conditions. Congratulations to Claire and Fenella.

Moira Goodway (Banbury Star CC) stamped her authority on the Vets competition with a plus of 3.45 and it looks as though Moira will be hard to beat if she races consistently all season. Strong rides on standard were also done by last season's veteran winner, Debbie Sheridan (BRAT) and Series newcomer Elizabeth Clayton (CC Giro).

Finally, an enormous thank you to everyone in the Leamington C&AC for allowing us to join their event and for all the timekeeping, pushing off, extra marshals and (especially) the cake and tea afterwards!