French puts herself in national title contention

Sixteen-year-old wins men's race up Mam Nick as Olivia French announces her arrival, reports Snowdon Sports

- Snowdon Sports

After missing last season due to suffering from long Covid, Olivia French has started this hill-climb campaign in stellar form, winning on both Mam Nick and Snake Pass last weekend.

French, 22, from Wilmslow in Cheshire, could provide an outside shot at the National Championships later this month.

Last year’s champion Illi Gardner will be favourite to retain her title, but the other podium positions are wide open.

Two-time winner Bithja Jones has not raced since finishing third last season, while injuries look set to rule out Mary Wilkinson and Rebecca Richardson.

French (Stolen Goat Race Team) recorded a winning time of eight minutes and 40 seconds over the 2.1-kilometre Mam Nick climb which has an average gradient of 9.8%. A minute behind in second place was Morgan Newberry (Loughborough Lightning/TRG) who stopped the clock in 9-45. Showing her talent in third place overall was quickest juvenile rider Maia Howell (Matlock CC).

Road and criterium rider French had a baptism of fire into hill-climbing, competing in her first event on Winnats Pass in the Nationals two years ago.

Determined French

“This season I’m determined to do as many as possible, hence double and triple-header weekends,” said French.

“It’s nice to have done a maximum effort and completely empty yourself before having a lie down on the floor at the finish.”