Super siblings back on their bikes for new season

It was a first ever elite category ride for younger sister Kirsty while Kerry was keen to avenge the anguish of 2015 where a first-lap retirement on the final race of the series cost her a title she had led the way in throughout.

Kerry raced well to place sixth despite continuing to battle breathing issues which have plagued her since the tail end of last year while Kirsty crashed into the top-20 on her elite debut.

Speaking to the Gazette after the race Kirsty insisted she was disappointed not to place higher on her elite race bow.

“Part of me was a little disappointed but then another part thinks I’m being really stupid,” she said. “I am quite hard on myself and I did travel with the aim of getting a top-20 place which I managed.”

The British Series opener drew around 30 riders in the elite women’s category where Kirsty gridded near the rear of the pack – a position from which she worked her way up from in determined style.

“I was gridded 26th which meant I was second last in starting the race which was quite daunting especially when you know that everyone in front of you is supposed to be better as they have more points,” she continued.

“I had a really good start to the race but going into the fourth lap I had really bad cramp in both my quads. Any point I tried to power down on the pedals they would seize up and lock my legs.

“It was really hard work and it wouldn’t disappear and it stayed the whole second half of the race.”

Read the rest of the report in this week’s Gazette - on sale now.