A SUCCESSFUL DAY IN THE MUD
Gabby Day took her finest result of the season on Sunday with an eighth place in the Superprestige race in Gavere, Belgium.
Won by Katie Compton, Day placed ahead of Pavla Havlikova, winner of the GVA Trofee in Oudenaarde.
"I got a great start and was seventh for most of the race until the Belgian champ [Joyce Vanderbeken] caught me on the last lap," explained Day.
"So I finished eighth, which I was very happy with. I had been in the mix with some top riders, so all good progress. I am also not fading so early in races now so that is good too. And another thing, I didn't crash! Many riders were crashing around me.
"It was definitely a ‘real' ‘cross course," Day said of the mud bath awaiting the riders in Gavere.
"I made bike changes every half lap; the one time I left it to just once a lap I caused myself a problem as my wheel decided it would not go around as there was so much mud stuck around the brakes. So I had to stop and pull the mud away."
Day took another top ten with a ninth place in the Jaarmarktcross in Niel on Wednesday.
"So overall, a great week's racing, let's hope the next races carry on in this vein."
Above: Gabby Day battling through the mud
SPRAGG FLYING THE FLAG IN CHINA
Though the cold winter has hit Europe, ushering in track and cyclo-cross racing, the UCI road season isn't quite over yet. The 2.HC-rated Tour of Hainan has been going on for the last week in China.
James Spragg (Trek-Marco Polo Cycling Team) is the sole British competitor in the nine-day race, currently lying 37th overall with two stages to go.
The Briton placed 14th on the eighth stage today from Dongfang to Sanya, won by Russia's Boris Shpilevsky.
ANA NICHOOLA APPAREL ON SALE IN HARRODS
Cycle fashion brand Ana Nichoola has made it into the world's most famous department store - Harrods.
The Knightsbridge-based emporium will be stocking the Curve Jacket, which is available in four sizes, with a choice of three colours.
Javid Ditta, regional manager for Cycles UK commented: "We are pleased to be stocking AnaNichoola's fantastic jackets in our flagship Harrods store.
"Our customers there demand products that are an extra bit special. After our success with LeCol, we were on the look-out for something different and women-specific."
For more information, visit http://www.ananichoola.co.uk.
WORLD CUP ROUND TWO IN MELBOURNE
The track World Cup continues in Melbourne tomorrow, with Great Britain sending a squad of 12 riders.
After such a strong showing at the first round in Manchester, Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton will skip the event.
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COOKSON RE-ELECTED AS BC PRESIDENT AT NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING
British Cycling's National Council meeting in Cheshire at the weekend saw the re-election of Brian Cookson as President as well as the election of Richard Kennedy and Ian Sinclair to the board of directors.
The South East region was awarded a trophy for achieving the highest membership growth of all regions, with 686 new members recruited over the past year.
The Bidlake Trophy, an award given for outstanding contributions to the sport, was also presented to Dave Brailsford in recognition of the success of the British cycling team in the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In the meeting, the delegates also supported the board's proposal to re-name ‘Everyday Cycling' membership category to simply, ‘Ride', aimed at recreational cyclists and commuters and linked to the Skyride campaign.
"2009 has been a transitional year for British Cycling," explained Cookson, "with the appointment of a new CEO, Ian Drake, a number of new commercial and public sector partnerships, further expansion of our operations and the launch of the Skyride initiative.
"With the ongoing support of our Regions we will be able to press ahead with ambitious plans to turn Britain into a true cycling nation in the run up to London 2012 and beyond."
CHARITY AUCTION SEEKING DONATIONS
A charity auction evening with James Bowthorpe - holder of the round the world cycling record - is seeking donations.
James Eastwood and 23 colleagues will be cycling from Paris to Twickenham in aid of the Dallaglio foundation and is seeking gifts to be auctioned at the evening with Bowthorpe on January 19.
Interested parties should contact jameseastwood@greeneking.co.uk
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