Erika Vilunaite
Silvia PariettiDocument Actions
Team Fat Birds Win at Darley Moore
Saturday morning was the 8th and penultimate round of the Women's Team Series held at Darley Moore. Team Fat Birds UK fielded a strong team and used the race as preparation for the National Criterium Championships taking place in a couple of weeks.
With National Criterium Champion Clare Gross leading the team and Helen Wyman on hand to work for her, the team were hoping for a good result from an aggressive race. The pair set about their task early on with several attacks being made. Backed up by Susy Massey, Anna Watson, Femke Van Schelven and consistent finisher Tracey Fletcher the team worked as a very strong unit controlling the race until after the first prime, won by Helen Wyman.
Out of the tricky top corner Helen Wyman, taking Clare Gross with her, made an attack. Helen Gutteridge, Heather Summers, Lisa Hollingshead and Beth Clayton joined them. They quickly gained 20 seconds on the bunch and with good work behind by the teams represented in the break, the gap eventually increased to over 2 minutes.
The group never looked like splitting up and going into the last lap it was still 6 riders going for the win. However Team Fat Birds UK road a great last lap, with Helen Wyman leading out Clare Gross for the first win in the Team Series this year. Helen Wyman finished 2nd and Susy Massey took the bunch sprint for Team Fat Birds UK finishing 7th.
The result also left the team with the highest points total gained in the team series this year with the team gaining 474 points, keeping them in 2nd place behind Team Luciano.
Helen Wyman now heads off to Holland for the Ladies Tour of Holland, while Clare Gross puts in the final preparation for the defence of her National Criterium Championships in Warwick in September.
More information on Team Fat Birds UK can be seen at:
www.teamfbuk.com
www.fatbirds.co.uk
www.helenwyman.com
