Newark-rider Isabel Darvill retains lead in British Cycling Women’s National Circuit Series despite crash injury in Dudley Grand Prix Elite Women’s Race

Newark-rider Isabel Darvill showed grit and determination in her latest race as she battled through injury to finish.

Darvill was competing in The Dudley Grand Prix Elite Women’s Race last Friday when a crash left her a deep cut to her knee, which required nine stitches.

The race was held on a fast and technical circuit with some cobbles through Dudley Town Centre and Darvill was ideally placed at the front of the pack when the crash took out most of the favourite riders.

Despite the pain and blood running down her leg, she managed to change to her spare bike and finish the race in 26th.

Darvill’s drive to finish meant she was able to retain her lead at the top of the British Cycling Women’s National Circuit Series with 135 points.

Second place rider Corrine Side, of Spectra Racing, came off worse in the same crash breaking her collarbone which put her out of the series.

After consultation with her physio, Darvill is now resting and recovering ahead of her next race at The Sheffield Grand Prix tomorrow evening (Wednesday, July 17).

She would otherwise have raced in the Womens Team Cup Series Road Race at Inkberrow, Worcestershire last Sunday, but had to drop out due to her injuries.

Last Saturday, Jack Levick of The Rose Race Team scored an impressive win in the Yorkshire Cycling Federation 50 mile Time Trial as part of the National Clario Championships in Knaresborough, in a time of 1 hour 45 minutes 43 seconds, averaging 28.378 mph

The next day, Levick was also a winner with his Rose Race Team in the Tuxford Clarion 3-up 25 mile Time Trial on a course including Tuxford, Sutton on Trent and Low Marnham, in a time of 52 minutes 5 seconds, averaging 28.8 mph

Also on Sunday, father and son cyclists, Ian and Stanley Russell from Southwell competed in their seperate Races Series 4 of the Matlock Cycling Club`s Darley Moor Circuit Races in Derbyshire with Stanley finishing 11th in the Under 14 Boys and Girls Race and Ian finishing 42nd in the Category 2/3/4 Men`s Race. Both riding for Newark Castle Cycling Club.

This Thursday sees another round in the Newark Castle Cycling Club`s Road Bike 8 mile Time Trial at Flawborough with Ollie Saunders of the Promoting Club favourite to win.