Round 5 Solihull Cycling Club - Inkberrow

British Women’s Team Cup round 5, 15th July 2024, Solihull Cycling Club, Inkberrow, Worcestershire.

The 5th round of the British Women’s Team Cup (BWTC) was held at Inkberrow, Worcestershire road circuit on 15th July 2024. Hosted by Solihull Cycling Club as they have done for many years.

The course is rolling 4.5 laps totalling 100 km (62 miles) and past races have predominantly finished with a bunch but the course also favours a breakaway.

The race series focuses on rider teamwork and encouraging up-coming riders through the cycling categories, often mentored by more experienced riders and team managers. All riders that finish a race gain points for their team.

The race went in with the top 5 teams (in team points order), FTP (Fulfil The Potential) Racing, The Phoenix Collective, DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK, London Academy Orange Race Team and Loughborough Lightning.

The race convoy of 73 riders rolled out at 14:00 with good conditions, very little wind, sunny but a warm and balmy 20 deg. 

Conditions later changed to a more oppressive humid and hydration proved key with a very active feed zone.

The peloton stayed together for lap 1. The course parcour is very good for an open road race, no potholes and well-maintained tarmac.

On lap 2 Charlotte Berry (The Phoenix Collective) and Charlotte Deykin (Peterborough Cycle Hub) worked together and made a break that would stretch to 40 seconds. They worked well together but, unfortunately, Charlotte Berry had a mechanical and had to stop for a minute or so for a roadside repair.

This resulted in the peloton catching and passing Charlotte Berry. Charlotte Deykin was unable to hold off the peloton on her own and on lap 3 they were all back together.

Charlotte Berry made a huge effort to catch the peloton which would later be recognised as she won the Combativity Award.

The warm and humid conditions started to take it’s toll and the peloton was down to 60 riders.

The Bell lap saw the peloton still together but further reduced to approximately 50 riders. A sprint finish looked inevitable though a number of riders tried to make a, unsuccessful, breaks.

The finish was a very hotly contested bunch sprint..

1st Mari Poulton @tofautieveryoneactive Also 1st Junior.

2nd Georgia Lancaster @lightning_cycling

3rd Ellen Bennett @brothercycling

Combative Award Charlotte Berry @thepho3nixcollective

A huge thank you to British Cycling, NEG, Solihull Cycling Club, volunteers, racers and supporters. The BWTC wouldn’t happen without you!

Photographers:

https://markovichjames.com/inkberrow-womens-cup-race

https://photos.mattdeb.photography/solihull-cc-womens-road-race-2024/