30 Jun Ronde van Ede Criterium – Libby Arbuckle
Posted at 07:03h in Featured, Race Reports, Racing by Libby Arbuckle
Last night the team raced in the Ronde van Ede criterium. This was my first criterium in Europe and I was excited to be able to use my experience from racing the American crit series last year. The race consisted of 30 laps of a 2km circuit. I loved the course with there being many corners and a long uphill drag to the finish.
The team and I were on the start line early, making sure we were starting in the front heading into the technical circuit. Unfortunately for us they were going to do call ups, pushing us further back on the start line. However, instead of only calling up 10 or so riders, it seemed every rider but our team was called up meaning we started right at the back of the race.
The first few laps were hard trying to move to the front on the technical circuit. Eventually I made it to the front and was able to string out the field using my cornering skills each lap. I was feeling strong and managed to collect the first two sprint primes.
The bunch was getting smaller lap after lap. With around 10 laps to go I found myself off the front with Annette Edmondson, which was pretty cool as she is a rider who I’ve looked up to. Staying away for 6 laps we were brought back into the bunch.
I made sure I kept near the front with 3 laps to go, coming into the last lap 4th wheel. In the end I was lucky enough to sprint for 3rd place.
I am extremely happy with how raced and very thankful for my team mates for helping me out throughout the race.
Click Here to view article on the Mike Greer Homes Womens Cycling Team Website
Libby Arbuckle 3rd in Ronde van Ede crit
Libby Arbuckle produced a podium performance at the Ronde van Ede criterium at the weekend. The Mike Greer Homes Women’s Cycling rider finished 3rd in the tough and testing race behind Kristina Clonan and Ashlee Ankudinoff.
Mike Greer Homes Women’s Cycling have had a truly full experience of racing in Europe so far, with highs and lows a plenty. But in the Ronde van Ede Libby Arbuckle took to the start of her first criterium on the European scene. Looking to build on her experience racing in the American crit scene last year, Arbuckle got underway in a field of 45 riders featuring the likes of Amelia Matthews, Connie O’Brien, Alana Forster, Hannah Bartram, and Kate & Emma Smith.
After starting towards the back of the field, the Mike Greer Homes Women’s Cycling team set about working their way through the field. Speaking from the team’s website Arbuckle said,” Eventually I made it to the front and was able to string out the field using my cornering skills each lap. I was feeling strong and managed to collect the first two sprint primes.”
Not content with primes, Arbuckle got into a breakaway with Australian Annette Edmondson. With 10 laps of the 30 lap race to go, the duo took off and were only caught with about 4 laps remaining. Even after being caught, though, Arbuckle remained in contention throughout. The final lap saw Arbuckle sitting in fourth wheel and she kept holding her own, sprinting to third place behind winner Kristina Clonan and Australian track star Ashlee Ankudinoff.
“I am extremely happy with how [I] race and very thankful for my teammates for helping me out throughout the race,” Arbuckle said.
Connie O’Brien finished fifth on the day, with Alana Forster just outside the top ten in 12th place.
Check out Arbuckle’s full race report from Ronde van Ede here.
Click here to view full results on the Mike Greer Homes Womens Cycling Team Website