RAF Cyclist Recovers From Fall To Win Inter Services Title

A Royal Air Force rider has won the women’s Cyclo-Cross Inter Services title despite a fall earlier in the race.

Flight Lieutenant Lucy Nell’s chances of winning took a blow when she came off her bike on a rough climb.

However, the RAF athlete recovered to take the lead and win the race.

After the victory, she spoke about the differences between Cyclo-Cross and Road Cycling.

She said: "I’ve had a background of road cycling so during the winter, it is quite nice to do a little bit of cyclo-cross.

"It mixes it up a little but rather than just pounding around on the roads.

"It makes it a bit more fun and a bit more exciting."

The men’s title was won by the Army’s Sergeant James Bevan, who finished a minute faster than his nearest challengers from the Army and RAF.

"I felt really good today," he said.

"I had a great start off the line and managed to get past all but one by the top of the first climb.

"A lot of the time it is about making your own luck.

"Being stuck behind someone or behind a crash can cost you a lot of time.

"I decided pretty earlier on that I was just going to go for it."

The course was designed by the Army’s Simon Hale and he intentionally made it difficult for the riders.

He said: "Up in the woods section, it gets very technical.

"There’s a lot of roots and some boggy ground. Some riders have to get off and carry their bikes.

"Sometimes, it is faster in Cyclo-Cross to get off and carry.

"It’s all about making that judgement call of when to get off and when to get back on."