Ffion Following In Sisters’ Cycling Wheel Tracks

Ffion James added to the successes of Wales’ cycling sisters from Abergavenny after bagging her first victory of the season in the HSBC UK Cyclo-Cross National Trophy in Irvine.

The Cambridge University student is the younger sister of Olympic  medallist Becky, who has now retired, and GB international Rachel.

James led a Storey Racing domination of the event in Scotland after getting the better of Bethany Crumpton with Anna Kay third.

The 18-year-old  jumped away at the beach end of the course and, with Crumpton unable to respond, did enough for a first win of the season.

“After getting third in the first round, I was aiming for a win but I really didn’t expect it,” said James.

“I felt like I was suffering a lot early on, but I had a bit of a second wind in the last lap and gave it everything.

“Beth and I are really good friends, we travelled together and we get on really well, but as soon as it gets to that race we’re really competitive. We do want to beat each other.

“I won two rounds first year but this is the first of this season so it’s a nice feeling,

“I felt I was hanging on for third place but the race was so fast, I didn’t want to go much earlier so I wanted to go tactical and hold on until the last minute.”