ANEXO/CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic Results

Pictures and report from the 7th ANEXO/CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic, first event of the Women’s National Road Race Series

After moving from its June slot to one in March, the ANEXO/CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic has become a true spring classic. Starting and finishing in the home of the pork pie, Melton Mowbray, the route is a very Belgian one. It twists and turns to take in the four off-road sectors of Sawgate Lane, Somerberg, Manor Farm, and Newbold Manor. Added to those are three categorised climbs: Burrough Berg, Cold Overton Berg, and Cuckooberg.

Although the riders set off in the dry, the weather in the proceeding week had been wet. And to help churn up the off-road sectors the morning’s junior race, had been ridden in the rain. This meant riders would have to be careful to avoid flooded pot-holes and muddy tracks.

The break is away

The second time through Owston saw a break of eight escape the bunch. Making the split were Danni Shrosbree, Emma Jeffers, Monica Greenwood (DAS-Handsling), Tammy Miller, Sian Botteley (Hutchinson-Brother UK), Jo Tindley and Flora Perkins.

Sian Botteley (Hutchinson-Brother UK) took the sprint in Owston Village as eight became a group of six. DAS-Handsling had lost Shrosbree to a mechanical, while Jeffers had dropped off the pace. Heading over the finish line for the first time Tindley took the sprint in Melton, winning a giant pork pie!

Beer and pork-pie for Jo Tindley!

Heading back in to Melton Mowbray for the final time, Finney outdistanced the others with a powerful acceleration and held on to take the win. Greenwood (DAS-Handsling) took second with Flora Perkins (Fenix-Deceuninck Development Team) third and first U23 rider. Jo Tindley (Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee) came in fourth, adding a Kwaremont beer to her pork pie by winning the Queen of the Bergs competition. DAS-Handsling won the ‘Team of the Race’ competition.

As the winner Finney received the Dame Laura Kenny trophy and £1000 in prize money, donated by Dame Kenny herself. The race’s future was uncertain when its main sponsor pulled out, but with sponsorship from the Anexo Group and the former multi-Olympic medal winner, the CiCLE Classic is safe until at least 2025.

With this win Jessica Finney (AWOL Shea) heads the 2023 National Road Series. DAS-Handsling have a five-point advantage over Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee in the team competition Next round is the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix, East Midlands on Sunday 14 May.

Jessica Finney becomes the early leader of the 2023 National Road Series. Perkins leads the under-23 competition, while DAS-Handsling have a five-point advantage over Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee in the team competition. The Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix is the next round of the Series on Sunday 14 May.

All photos courtesy of Bob MacGregor and Hugh McManus.

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