The Ring Criterium Series gave way to Renae’s Race last weekend, a race that celebrates the life of women’s cycling advocate Renae Baker.
The main event was aggressive from the start with Liz Leyden attacking on the first lap and steadily building up a substantial lead.
Emily Mascaro then gave chase.
While the bunch was willing to let Leyden go, they chased Mascaro, who joined Leyden at the front for a couple of laps before the bunch reeled them in just as the first prime was called.
Leyden counter attacked, won the prime, secured the most aggressive rider award and started building a lead.
Again Mascaro tried to bridge and again the bunch followed her.
The bunch was back together and the attacks started in earnest, but nobody could get off the front until the second prime, when former national under 23 time trial champion Rebecca Mackey attacked.
She claimed the prime and then put her time trialing prowess to good effect and started building a lead.
The bunch reacted with individual riders trying to bridge the gap.
The constant attack, chase and ease back in pace let Mackey slowly increase her lead.
Amanda Nabi, another strong time trial rider, was the first rider to get away from the bunch and give chase.
After a couple of laps Nabi was joined by Melissa Robinson and the pair started working together, but it was all too little too late.
It was a convincing solo win for Mackey with Robinson second, Nabi third and a bunch sprinting it out for fourth place.
