Garner's big taster of what's in store
Lucy Garner demonstrated her sprinting speed for the first time in the professional ranks to gain sixth place in the elite Fleche Wanzoise race in Belgium.
Victory in the early-season event went to Sengers' Dutch Olympic rider Vera Koedooder, who won from four breakaway rivals.
With her Argos-Shimano team-mate Willeke Knol working in the small leading group, Garner's job was not to chase down the break.
Instead, the Cosby girl made sure she led home the rest of the field to claim sixth at the end of the 82km race, an encouraging performance in just her second pro road outing.
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"The whole of the team did a brilliant job at the race," said the double world junior champion.
"We were all making sure that one of us was in any breakaway that formed and didn't let any group get away without an Argos girl in it.
"At the end, Willeke was in a breakaway of five and got fifth. I won the bunch sprint for sixth and Esra Tromp won the mountains jersey.
"It's great to have those results for our team and that has given us confidence going into our next races."
Next on the 18-year-old's schedule is the Drentshe 8 in Holland, which takes place tomorrow. The course is flat but technical, with stretches of cobbles on each of the three circuits.
Charlotte Broughton and Grace Garner had the chance to show their track speed when they took their places in the 'Sprintfest' event at Manchester Velodrome. Both the Countesthorpe College students, who are part of British Cycling's Talent Team, are noted for their speedy finishing on track and road.
Neither is a pure track sprinter, but both produced some rapid performances during two days which brought together some of the country's fastest youth riders.
National pursuit and Madison champion Garner (RST-Trigon) was second-fastest in the 200m time-trial with a time of 12.6sec, with Broughton, the British scratch and points gold medallist, clocking the third-fastest time.
Broughton (MG Décor Team Carbon Bikes) then reached the final of the match race section and was beaten only by Lichfield's national sprint champion Sophie Capewell, with Garner third overall.
The county girls are taking part in a track session in Wales this weekend.
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