VB x SNCC Hulland Ward Road Race 21/8/22

Our first road race…done!

What a day.

Challenging but hugely rewarding, and a pleasure to be a part of.

Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who made it happen. The sacrifice and dedication to put on most sporting events is big, but a road race of this magnitude is something else.
Chapeau to Dan Ward of South Normanton CC for whom enough praise can’t be given in making this happen and to his amazing team of volunteers.

Dan approached me early this year and asked if we wanted to help him organise and support a local road race, with a dedicated 3/4 women’s field. You don’t very often see a 3/4 only road race for women, which meant we were met with challenges, and naysayers from the get go; adding to the obstacles and fueling the fire.

Of course, the answer was ‘yes’. The passion and determination to make this happen was clear to see from the start and something we wholeheartedly wanted to get on board with; not only because promoting women’s cycling in our area is a huge goal of ours, but bringing races like this to our local roads is a fantastic opportunity for our own race team, and local riders alike to experience to high level competition on their doorstep – for riders and spectators.

We attracted riders from far and wide, with over 80 men and 40 women signing up to race – thank you for leaving it all out there, regardless of position.

Photos of the men’s 2/3/4 race.

Photos of the women’s 3/4 race.

More races to come.

More local events and opportunities to get involved.

More support for cycling in Derbyshire, guaranteed.

Luke
VB

Photos by Chris McKnight