Sophie Lankford takes victory in opening HSBC UK National Circuit Series race for Team Jadan Weldtite Vive le Velo
Sophie Lankford showed a turn of pace to produce an impressive win in the first round of the women’s HSBC UK National Circuit Series – the Bristol Crit.
It is the first year in which the women’s peloton has had a standalone circuit series and the Girton-based 23-year-old booked her place as the winner of the inaugural race for Team Jadan Weldtite Vive le Velo.
The race began in torrential rain but, as conditions brightened, Lankford had the legs to take the victory in 1hr 29min, ahead of Campinense Velo Performance’s Elizabeth Bennett and Jo Tindley.
“It absolutely bucketed it down at the start, and there was so much standing water that you couldn’t really see, and you definitely didn’t want to be behind riders because of the spray,” Lankford told British Cycling.
“It was crazy, but luckily because it’s quite warm it dried out and it wasn’t too bad in the end. I knew I could win a sprint, but there I was up against two team-mates who were working together, and I thought they might take me.
“I just went full gas, thinking if I got beaten, it was fair and square, but when I looked behind me I couldn’t believe that I’d got it.”