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Cottingham Coureurs ran out the winners of the 2001 Women's Team Race Series although it was all dependent on the final race, the TQ Papers Dublin 2 day stage race, to clinch their win in what was a close and hard fought competition.
With Vanessa Frith placing third overall on general classification, Cottingham Coureurs team manager Sarah Gill and her team were certain to take the trophy 'up north' but they have been hard pressed all year by Surrey League 'A' who, with Karen Jeffrey as leader, would not let the title go without a fight.
In its second full year, the Women's Team Race Series had seen 15 teams taking part in the nine race series with events promoted all over the country. The format has once again proved to be very popular, with over 20 new riders being attracted to road racing, in a year which has had its interruptions with foot and mouth.
The rules for 2002 have been amended to reflect the growing interest in this mould breaking competition; next season there will be eight races in the series, managers or team captains must be members of the BCF, there will be less points available in each race and the team entry form will be accepted.
A new trophy was awarded this year that reflects the growing importance of this competition; perhaps a criticism of women's racing in the past has been the lack of aggression or tactical awareness, this has truly been laid to rest in the Team Series as they have been some of the most hard fought races on the calendar.
The trophy for the team that has been judged to be the most aggressive and showing good team work was presented for the first time to 'Western Division'. Thanks are due to Eddie White for providing the trophies.
It is hoped that the new Divisions/Regions will enter teams in 2002; contributing towards their Team's entry fees and travel expenses whenever possible and offering invaluable coaching support to improve their team's tactics.
The dates and venues of the 2002 Women's Team Race Series will be:
April 14, Royston - Hertfordshire
May 5, Surrey
May 12, Denbigh-Wales
June 30, Airedale
August 11, Nottingham
August 24, Darley Moor
September 1, Cheltenham
September TQ Papers - Dublin
Final points classification 1 Cottingham Coureurs 4270 2 Surrey League A 4193 3 West Thames Division 3248 4 Western Division 2520 5 Team Letchworth 1428 6 SP Systems 1022 7 Impsport Composite 890 8 West Thames 2 723 9 Cycleways 501 10 Oscar Bravo 425