Wightlink/Offshore RT rider Faye Faber travelled to Cambridge n Saturday to take part in the UK’s first ever qualifying event for the UCI Amateur World Championships.
The 17 mile time trial took place on a relatively flat course with only one serious climb but lots of very technical corners to negotiate. The biggest obstacle on the day was the very strong wind which was blowing the hoardings over at the start.
Faye’s age category (19-34years) encompassed some of the country’s top riders and in order to qualify she would need to place fifth or higher. After warming up she took to the start ramp and set off at 12:43:30pm. As the second to last rider (number 39) setting off in her category she had everyone she needed to beat in front of her, and after the first couple of miles she spotted riders number 38 and 37 ahead. She caught and passed them before the first major corner and then immediately eyed up the next rider to catch on the climb.
Faye continued catching riders all the way round the course before crossing the line in 41 minutes 30 seconds. Heading back into the main arena to find out her finishing position was a nervous walk – but when she finally looked up at the big screen she saw she had finished an incredible third and qualifying for the World Championships.
Incredibly, Faye later found out that her time put her in seventh place overall out of over 60 of the country’s top female riders.
The World Championships will be held in Denmark on the 3rd September. Before that Faye will compete in Lincoln at the British Cycling National Championships against cycling stars such as Dame Sarah Storey, Dani King and Joanna Rowsell before heading off to Jersey to represent the Island at the Island Games in the time trial and road race.
