Bowditch masters tricky course to take second

ANN BOWDITCH made the most of her strong form by recording her best finish in the seventh round of the Rudy Project National Time Trial Series. After an important third placing in round six, Bowditch took a fantastic second place in the Matlock CC event held in Derby-shire.

It was over a very technical 20-mile course, taking in some tough climbs and hair-raising descents.

The first mile-long climb came within yards of the start line and the mixed gradient hill was made more difficult by a coarse road surface.

Having struggled with her training in the week, Bowditch was careful not to dip too far into the red on this first climb.

'My legs have been quite tired this week and this was very much at the forefront of my mind,' she said.

The first hill was followed by a roller-coaster-style A road for approximately three miles, before turning through the dales where a couple of very steep ascents greeted the riders before the long downhill run into the end of the 10-mile lap, which was then repeated.

Being a lighter rider, the downhill section is one of the most crucial areas for Bowditch to keep focus.

'I was conscious that the heavier riders would make up time through this section so was keen to keep enough in the tank to be able to keep the power down through this section.'

With just five miles to go, Bowditch was 20 seconds up on her teammate, Dr Helen Carter, but 12 down on local rider Vicky Dawson.

Most of the run in to the finish was downhill and with Bowditch keen to overturn the deficit to Dawson and keep Carter behind, concentration and effort were pinned at 100%.

All eyes were on the finish line and Bowditch crossed with an increased margin of 25 seconds over Carter, but more importantly, turned the 12-second arrears to Dawson into a 10-second advantage.

With just one round remaining, Bowditch has moved from joint third in the series into third place outright.

That final round takes place on 14 October near Newcastle and with a series medal up for grabs, it will be the Guernsey cyclist's most important race of the season.