Robert Winder

Last year at Snelling Mex made the mistake of hanging out at the back of the bunch and not paying attention to the front end of the race.  Consequently she rode three laps of the windy course with 1-2 others.  This year she was determined not to make the same mistake.

Setting out with 2 teammates, Mex, Lyndsey and Alice all started the same race.  Also, Ruth was there, although she rode in the 15-16 Junior Girls category, a race within the W4 race (note to promoters - This is a great way to hold junior girls races, together with the W4 field).  I’d talked with both Mex & Ruth beforehand about the importance of being close to the front incase anything happened early in the race.  I’d also give my “secrets” for positioning well at the end of the race and how to help the designated finisher of the day.

Sadly for Ruth she flatted on the first time up the feedzone, what a tough way to go.  She had some help changing the flat from an unnamed Brit, Thankyou for that and let me know if we owe you a tube/CO2.  Ruth rejoined the race and rode strongly, by herself for 3 laps, she picked up a few stragglers from the W4 field, including another girl from the junior field.  Passing them all, she rode in strong - a very impressive sprint - by herself for 2nd in the junior field.  Congratulations on another VP T-Shirt, Ruth.  Better luck next time.

For Mex, she did everything that was asked of her for the first 2.5 laps, setting a good pace, bridging gaps and chasing the two Stanford girls on the run in to the finish.  Cursing herself for letting them go at the end she pulled out all the stops for the team and displayed a great deal of courage to set-up Lyndsey for the bunch sprint.

Congratulations to Mex & team.  Well done, Ruth.