Kerry and Christina hit the beach for challenging cycle

After back to back wins in the second and third round of the series, Kerry has now pedalled home with consecutive fourth place finishes leaving her second in the overall Women’s Series.

Speaking after the race Kerry admits she struggled in the latest race after pushing herself to the limit during training.

“Today was hard on the bike,” she admitted, “I love racing cross and it’s ace when it’s going well but I’ve been trying super hard to look at the big picture, which is next year – qualifiers for the Commonwealth Games.

“So I’ve been training pretty hard and getting lots of big miles in before the winter takes hold. I absolutely felt it today though as I had no zip in my legs. They were super flat, tired and I could not get my heart rate up!”

She continued: “My choices are to continue training hard or to always get fresh for racing cross and I paid the price for choosing the former this week but I’m sure it will pay me back come next season. I also see it as good mental training when you have to suck it up so although outcome wise not great, process wise I won.

“I’m going to listen to my body and not go out at the crack of dawn tomorrow for a big ride.

“The Scottish cross Champs are in a fortnight so maybe time to start freshening up again.”

Joining Kerry in the thick of the frenetic two-wheeled action at the latest round in Irvine was Christina Mackenzie as the pair flew the flag for the islands. Riding in freezing conditions the pair navigated the tough course well.

Kerry took fourth place after completing six laps in 43:59.040. Christina finished in 19th place after five laps in 47:35.771.

“Cyclocross is unlike anything I’ve ever done,” laughed Christina, “Kerry got me into it and it’s amazing, completly out of my comfort zone and different.

“It is a mix of road racing and mountain biking and every course is completey different. One minute you are in mud but then you move into sand or gravel and you never know what you are going to find round the next bend.

“Irvine was probably the hardest one I’ve done due to the descents and ascents.

“My inital thought when I had a look on the course was how I would get up that hill.

“But during the race you have no option but to go flying down a near vertical hill and the momentum got you up the next part. I had never done anything like that before but by the end I was loving it.

“It is really good training for the winter as there is no road racing or triathlon until March and it keeps the competitive edge going.”