‘Home win’ for Leeds lass

ANNIE Simpson felt right at home as she clinched victory in the Johnson Health Tech Women’s Grand Prix in Oldham.

The event, supporting the Halfords Tour Series’ inaugural visit to the area, provided the 21-year-old with her first victory since switching from mountain biking two years ago.

The Leeds lass saw off competition from team-mate Dani King and third-placed Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Racing).

She said: “Even though I am from Yorkshire I was particularly looking forward to the Oldham stage, because it is a lot closer to home than any of the other legs. So this one was a bit special.

unbelievable
“It is an unbelievable feeling to win my first road race, and I was in tears on the podium.

“My dad, Chris, came along to watch so it is a bonus to come first in front of him.

“The circuit is hard work but it makes for good racing, so hopefully the brilliant fans who came along and made it such an atmospheric evening liked what they saw.

“The entire day was fantastic, with various mini-races going on in the build-up to the evening’s proceedings, and I have enjoyed watching them with my friends.”

Former world champion Mandy Jones, who now runs Surosa cycle shop in Oldham, congratulated the top-three finishers on the podium, and presented Simpson with a boquet of flowers.