Lancaster Grand Prix British Cycling Women’s National Road series

Ruth Shier powers away on a two lap solo break to win the 2023 Lancaster Grand Prix.

The Lancaster Grand Prix is the third round in the 2023 British Cycling Women’s National Road series. After the previous day’s storm conditions, the clouds cleared and it was blue skies and strong winds for the 111 riders.

The pace was high from the start with riders from Loughborough Lightning working hard to form a break. It was to no avail as riders from DAS-Handsling, Hutchinson-Brother UK and Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee weren’t letting anything go. Lucy Lee and Danni Shrosbree of DAS-Handsling in particular were keen to control things. The pair worked together to make sure Lee was scooping up points on every ascent of the Proctor Moss Road QOM climb.

Each time up the climb the bunch would accelerate as riders fought for the points. These continual accelerations were wearing the bunch down. While no break was getting away, riders were being jettisoned out the back.

Shier attacks!

Eventually something had to give and with two laps to go, sensing a lull in the pace, Ruth Shier attacked hard over a small rise. A group of ten tried to chase, but Shier had two team-mates in the group and had the power to stay away. The Hutchinson-Brother UK rider has previous form winning from breaks at the Finsbury Park CC, the Dave Peck Memorial and the Women’s British Masters RR Championship. The last was won after a six lap solo break! Using that strength and determination Shier stretched out her lead over the chasing bunch to finish a minute and two seconds ahead.

Behind, the pursuers wound up for a fast sprint which was won by Jessica Finney (AWOL O’Shea) from Lucy Lee (DAS-Handsling). Behind Lee, team-mate Monica Greenwood – who has returned to racing after a career coaching GB Olympic track riders – took fourth. A good day for DAS-Handsling with a podium and QOM for Lucy Lee. Meanwhile Greenwood’s fourth place meant she retained her lead in the British Cycling Women’s National Road series. The Combativity Award was won by Corrine Side of Pro-Noctis-Heidi Kjeldsen-200 Degrees Coffee. The next race in the series is the Ryedale Grasscrete Women’s Grand Prix on Sunday 20^th August.

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