Â鶹¹ÙÍø cyclist Kim Garrett, racing for Caesarean Cycling Club (CCC), competed in her first female-only open race and secured a superb second-place finish in an event last Sunday.
The race, hosted in Ste Seve, was the fourth round of the Challenge Morlaix Communauté Groupama series and was for women aged 17+ across all categories.
The course was 13 laps of a 4.62km circuit. It was a traditional French circuit course, with a few lumps in it and rolling flats.
The race started in the rain, much to the riders’ disappointment, but fortunately it soon dried out.
Not knowing where her level was against the French women, Kim held back for the first few laps and watched what was going on and who was strong.
In the early laps attacks were made which saw a few riders drop off but, due to lulls, some were able to bridge back.
A decisive attack happened on lap seven, which saw two riders get away.
Kim let the group try to chase, but once she realised they weren’t going to catch, she attacked the group to bridge across to the two leaders.
The trio stayed away for the remainder of the race, with all the riders making attacks at different parts of the course, but nothing stuck.
It came down to a three-up sprint on the punchy climb to the finish.
Kim gave it her all and secured second place, just behind the previous multiple-Breton champion while beating the current Breton champion.
Jim and Kim Garrett would like to thank CCC for their continued support this season, enabling them to race in France.
Special mention must go to John Derrien, who was on hand for any last-minute entry panics but across the weekend all organisers were welcoming.
They would also like to thank the Cog and Sprocket for their continued support.
On Friday, Jim and Kim Garrett, racing for Caesarean Cycling Club (CCC), competed in the Piré-Chancé Semi-Nocturne, which formed part of the Trophee Du Pays De Châteaugiron Communauté.
The race was 25 laps of a 3.6km circuit. The majority of the 130 entrants were open three category or access one, with Jim and Kim entered under access two category.
The race started at a furious pace, which saw Jim Garrett settle himself in the pack, but unfortunately the pace was a bit too much for Kim.
But she managed to get in a group who worked well together, until they were caught by the main bunch.
Jim was managing with the pace nicely and avoided a nasty crash in front of him which saw two riders leave in an ambulance.
Kim settled into the bunch once she had been lapped, as the race had calmed a little.
Jim was holding his position nicely until another crash happened. This saw a gap emerge between those stuck behind the crash and those ahead. Jim was able to get back to the group before the next bout of attacks.
The chase was too much for Kim and she got dropped, but continued to pick riders off who had also been dropped and got picked up by the bunch for the last few laps.
Unfortunately, with one lap to go Jim suffered from cramp, which cost him a bunch finish.
With over 1,000 metres of climbing and 90km completed in 2 hours 10 minutes, this race was certainly a test.
Due to Kim continuing despite getting lapped, she was the first woman home and got a trip up to the podium.
Finishing places are roughly top 30 for Jim and top 80 for Kim (the official results are somewhat skewed due to the lapping).
