Bowditch fifth in high-class Cheshire race

ANN BOWDITCH tested her pre-Island Games form in the first round of the women's National Road Race Series in Cheshire. There were showers for the 10 laps of a 4.8-mile circuit which included a steep climb and some dual-carriageway, which was open to blustery winds.

A number of current and former Great Britain riders were present, which all made for a strong line-up and very competitive race.

After almost a lap, Diane Moss, last year's series winner, led the bunch up the climb and on the following lap Bowditch was doing her best to break it up.

Midway through the race a group of three broke away on the climb. Bowditch just missed the break but had a gap on the main bunch so made an attempt to catch the leaders.

She was always gaining on the leaders but was unable to make sufficient ground to catch them.

Bowditch was then caught by a group of three riders, who then slowed and were caught by the main peleton which had shrunk to 15, the attack and hill having split up the peleton.

The Guernsey medal hope attacked again on the climb and took Sharon Padley of Team Luciano with her.

The two chased the leaders but again were brought back to the peleton by ex-GB riders Susan Carter and Melanie Sears.

Bowditch and Padley persevered, dragging the peloton with them.

At one point the two riders had pulled the bunch to within 10 seconds of the leaders but a strong headwind on the dual carriageway and the heavy workload that they had already put in made it difficult to bridge the final gap, much to their frustration.

By the last half lap, it was clear the leaders were going to stay clear.

But as one of the three had dropped out, this left Bowditch's bunch sprinting for third.

Two Luciano Team riders attacked early on the climb to the finish line and Bowditch had a little ground to make up.

Although closing on them over the final few metres it was not enough and Bowditch took fifth place.

The Guernsey star was happy enough: 'The fact that I was doing a lot of work and strong on the climb gives me an indication that my form is pretty good.

'I wasn't keen to sit in and wait for the sprint once the leaders had got away, so I worked hard to try and catch them.

'I am using these races purely as training and build up to the Island Games and I am happy with the way things are progressing at the moment.'