Report by Andy Schofield
On Sunday Hull staged the first round of The Women’s League Battle of Britain and Grand Prix. On another chilly day that started with bright sunshine the top female riders brought some excellent racing to The Hessle Raceway. The Battle of Britain team event was closely contested over 24 heats with The South East establishing an early lead which they maintained to the end, with good use of their three reserve riders, to finish on 66 points. Lilly Parr only dropped one point with Amberley Gant winning her first four rides and Ella Case producing some great team riding to cement the victory for The South East. Second place was taken by The Midlands on 63 points with Lizzie Rigley only beaten once getting good support from her side including Becca Humphries and Amy Baynes. The North & Scotland team were always in contention finishing on 59 points with strong displays from Lacey Ackroyd, Laura Watson and Lola Martin while Hull’s debutants Kacey Bennett and Sophia Temple produced promising performances. The South West & Wales started strongly and were well led by Rachel Lammin with determined support from the team who finished on 52 points.
North & Scotland 59: Lacey Ackroyd 17+2, Lola Martin 14+2, Laura Watson 16+1, Kacey Bennett 8+1, Sophia Temple 4.
South East 66: Amberley Gant 18, Ella Case 12+3, Lilly Parr 18+1, Charlie Herbert 5+1, Ava Harrison 4, Ting Dunningham 2, Masie Baker 7.
South West & Wales 52: Rachel Lammin 16+3, Tilly Shear 13+1, Ellie George 12, Millie Shear 11.
Midlands 63: Georgia Burt 9, Lizzie Rigley 22+1, Becca Humphries 16+1, Amy Baines 16+1.
Referee: Matt Parr
The Grand Prix was run as elite and intermediate events with four rides and a final. The elite women provided some excellent racing with heat 8 especially memorable as Rachel Lamming went from last to first place on the outside line down the back straight of the final lap. The ‘A’ final was won by a fast starting Lilly Parr from Laura Watson and Lizzie Rigley, who couldn’t quite make up lost ground, and Amberley Gant. Lacey Ackroyd won the ‘B’ final from Rachel Lammin, Ella Case and Becca Humphries. The Intermediate event was also well contested with Maisy Baker winning all her races including the ‘A’ final from Lola Martin in second place, Milly Shear and Amy Baynes who took a heavy fall on the pits bend. Home rider Kacey Bennett won the ‘B’ final from team mate Sophia Temple with Ellie George and Tilly Shear in third and fourth place. Ting Dunningham won the ‘C’ final from Aaliyah Temple, Ava Harrison and Alexis Woodcock to complete a great days racing.
Elite GP:
‘A’ Final: 1st Lilly Parr, 2nd Laura Watson, 3rd Lizzie Rigley, 4th Amberley Gant.
‘B’ Final: 1st Lacey Ackroyd, 2nd Rachel Lammin, 3rd Ella Case, 4th Becca Humphries.
Intermediate GP
‘A’ Final: 1st Maisy Baker, 2nd Lola Martin, 3rd Milly Shear, 4th Amy Baynes.
‘B’ Final: 1st Kacey Bennett, 2nd Sophia Temple, 3rd Ellie George, 4th Tilly Shear.
‘C’ Final: 1st Ting Dunningham, 2nd Aaliyah Temple, 3rd Ava Harrison, 4th Alexis Woodcock
Referee; Andy Schofield
